Philosophy of the school

The school philosophy is based upon the idea that there is one central rule of behaviour from which all other rules stem. Behave towards others as you wish them to behave towards you. This rule permits children to see the moral imperatives in different situations and helps them to develop their own set of core values. If this reasoning is applied from an early age the child develops awareness of social situations and understands how and why behaviour must change accordingly and the concepts of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour are formed.

Conflict is natural between individuals but it is necessary that children learn the reasons for conflict and develop the skills to either avoid conflict or resolve it in a peaceable manner.

The philosophy embraces the principle that young children require guidance in learning to make moral, social and intellectual decisions. There is also a need to develop individual skills, organizing ability, initiative and responsibility. This requires a lessening of dependence as the children progress through the school so that when they transfer to the Middle School and then later to the Upper School they will be expected to rely less and less upon the teachers’ intervention.

Objectives of the School through provision of

• An academically challenging learning environment.
• Teaching strategies which stimulate learning.
• Teaching experiences which are trans-disciplinary and meaningful.
• An environment that provokes curiosity and creativity.
• A programme of enquiry that encourages students to become responsible for their own learning and behaviour.
• Professional teachers who deliver a programme designed to assist all students to reach their full potential.
• Partnership between school, students and parents.
• Partnership between the school community and the wider community.
• Encouragement to take part in community service.
• Opportunity for students to build positive relationships with other members of the school community irrespective of age.
• A programme that develops the characteristics of an international student.

Characteristics of an international student

• Inquirer – actively enjoys learning.
• Thinker – exercises initiative.
• Communicator – receives and expresses information confidently.
• Risk taker – approaches new situations with confidence and independence.
• Knowledgeable – has acquired a mass of significant knowledge.
• Principled – has integrity, honesty and a sense of fairness.
• Caring – shows sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others.
• Open-minded – seeks and considers a range of points of view.
• Well Balanced – shows physical and mental balance.
• Reflective – considers and analyses their personal strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.

The school does, however, require a few formal rules to establish a baseline of school identity, safety and organization. These rules are kept to a minimum but are strictly enforced.

Entry Requirements

• Birth Certificate
• Final report and reference from their last school
• Students must be immunised against the following illnesses and produce certificates as proof before being accepted at the school:
  • Yellow fever
  • Meningitis
  • Hepatitis
  • Polio
  • Typhoid
  • Tuberculosis
• Medication should not be brought to school.
• School must be notified of all existing illnesses, allergies and medical requirements e.g. insulin.
• Students applying to enter the Middle and Senior Departments will be tested in English, Mathematics and Science.
• Extra classes organized during the school day are a requirement for students who have not reached the necessary level of English.

School Uniform

School uniform is compulsory. The following items are required:

• Five white shirts, not polo shirts, with collar and short sleeves (ordered from school)
• Three pairs of burgundy shorts, knee length (ordered from school)
• Two white T-shirts, without pictures, logos or printing (for sports)
• Two pairs of black cotton shorts just above knee length for sports (ordered from school)
• Black/white socks
• Black/dark brown shoes or sandals (flip-flops, i.e. sandals without a heel strap are not allowed)
• Swimming costume (one piece for girls)
• Sports shoes
• Tennis racquet
• School bag

Female students may order dresses from school to replace shorts and shirts.

Sweaters/jumpers/cardigans, if required, should be dark red or black to match the school uniform.

Denim jackets and ‘Hoodies’ are not allowed as school wear.

Tiny stud earrings may be worn but must be removed for physical education lessons.

No other jewellery may be worn.

Long hair must be tied back in a pony tail or braid in the interest of health and safety. Hair extensions length must not exceed natural hair length or not exceed shoulder length.

All clothes and towels should be named tagged

The school will notify the parents if a student is not wearing the correct uniform and the parent will be required to deliver the correct uniform to school.

Equipment Required by Students Year 6 - 13

• Scientific calculator
• Protractor
• Set Square
• Compass
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Coloured Pencils
• English Dictionary
• French Dictionary
• Correction fluids or pens are not allowed in school

Students attending Year 6 to Year 9 will require access to a computer with Internet access at home. Students from Year 10 upwards should own a laptop that they may bring into school.

Insurance

Students are insured as is required by Benin law. It is recommended that you take out further insurance to cover the cost of medical treatment.

Tuition Fees

The signing of the admission form is a contract between the school and the parents that tuition fees will be paid on time. Fees may be paid in two instalments: first payment by the first day of the first term, second instalment by the first day of the second term. It is important that these dates are honoured as non payment will lead to student exclusion and, if the situation continues, legal action. Either full fees or half fees must be paid before a student is allowed into school.

Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 will be entered for external examinations only if all school fees are paid by 31st December.

School reports, references, and certificate of attendance will not be issued until all fees have been cleared and school books and equipment returned or replaced.

Parents who remove their children for holidays are still liable for the full year’s tuition fees.

One term’s notice of withdrawal of a student by parents must be given or a full term’s fees paid in lieu.

The School Calendar

The school year runs from September to June and the year is divided into three terms:

September – December

January – March/April

March/April – June/July

EIS observes National Holidays and Parents will be informed as soon as possible of unannounced holidays. A school calendar with the dates of school events is given to parents at the beginning of each school year. Copies are also available from the school secretary.

The School Day

For the Nursery the school day is from 08:00 – 12:00 with a mid-morning break.

For older students the day is from 08:00 – 14:45. There is a mid-morning break, a lunch break and an afternoon break.

After school activities are available from 14:45 for Middle, Senior and Lower School students.

Lunch

The school does not provide lunches so students must bring their own packed lunches. Please provide healthy and nutritious food; no junk food or fizzy drinks. Students are not allowed to go out at lunch time to buy food from local shops or restaurants or request others to do so.

Glass bottles should not be brought to school.

Arrivals

No students should arrive before 07:45.

Students are expected to be punctual and late arrival should be avoided.

Children may be in school from 07:45. Registration begins at 08:00.

Students who arrive after 08:00 will be recorded as late.

Departure

Unless participating in an after school programme, students must leave the campus at 14:45.

If a student needs to leave early from school, a written note should be sent to the class teacher, stating time and reason and the name of the person who will collect the student.

Absences

• Absence from school or from a physical education lesson on a given day must be explained in a letter written by the student’s parent or guardian and presented to the Head Teacher on the day the student returns to school. The letter should note the dates of absence and it will be placed in the student’s file. Parents will be contacted if a letter is not forthcoming.
• Unexplained absence will be regarded as unjustified. Students will be excused from class only for emergency reasons or for illness.
• Parents are asked to arrange medical, dental and other appointments outside school hours or during vacations if possible.

Vacations

Permission must be obtained if a child is to be removed from school for any vacation outside the school’s set vacation periods. Certificate of attendance required for visa applications will be issued only when school fees for the whole school year have been paid.

Attendance Policy

• It is essential that students’ attendance be as close to 100% as possible.
• Parents of children whose attendance begins to cause concern will be required to attend an interview with the Head of School and the Class teacher.
• Students are required to attend Physical Education lessons, including swimming. A doctor’s note is needed for exemptions.

Library

The libraries in the Early Years and Lower School contain fiction, non-fiction and reference books. Borrowers are requested to comply with library regulations when borrowing items. Borrowers will be responsible for the cost of lost or damaged library materials to the amount of 10,000FCFA.

Textbooks and Materials

EIS provides students with the majority of teaching materials and textbooks. Students are requested to take care of these items.

If a text book is lost or damaged by neglect, students will be asked to meet the cost of replacement, 55,000 FCFA. This cost will include the use of a courier service to transport the book from the UK to Benin.

Exercise/notebooks are supplied initially by the school. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct exercise/notebooks for their work.

Each senior student should have their own calculator and Mathematical equipment.

Kindles may be loaned from the school to the students in Year 10. These are to be returned to the school after IGCSE examinations.

School Organisation and Curriculum

The School is privately owned

The Headteacher manages all aspects of the academic programme and organises the operation of the playschool/nursery, lower, middle and senior departments.

The School Coordinators are responsible for the implementation of school policy, the academic programme, external examinations and pastoral care.

Class size is small and this allows teachers to allow individual attention. The school recruits professional staff who are fully qualified in their country of origin and who have teaching experience.

Class Arrangement

The school follows the British system of placing children in accordance with their age and not their ability. The cut off date for admittance to a class is 31st August except for Playschool where children will be accepted when they have reached their second birthday.

The House System

On entry to the school each student becomes a member of one of three Houses: Einstein, Mandela or Newton.

During the academic year the students receive merit points for academic work, including homework, good behaviour, wearing the correct uniform etc. Double merits are awarded for exceptional work or thoughtful behaviour.

The House that receives the most number of merit points is awarded the School Merit Cup for that year. The student who has earned the most merit points throughout the year is awarded an individual merit cup.

The Curriculum

The British National Curriculum and the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) Programmes for Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and Advanced have been adopted as the curriculum framework for the school. More specific and detailed curriculum information is available to parents and students from the school on request.

Early Years

Early Years consists of Playschool, Nursery and Reception. These were established on the principle of learning through play, and the aim is to assist the students in their physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth.

Lower School

Year 1 continue the work begun in the Early Years but the curriculum is broader and follows the British Curriculum Foundation Years curriculum. Years 2, 3, 4, and 5 follow the Cambridge (CAIE) Programmes for Cambridge Primary in Mathematics, English and Science. A topic approach, involving the ideas developed by The International Schools Curriculum Project, is used across the Lower School for the teaching of History, Geography and Social Studies. The curriculum also includes Global Perspectives, Art, French, Games, Swimming, Dance and Singing for all students.

Middle and Senior School

The students in Year 6 follow the CAIE Programmes for in Mathematics, English Language and Science and take an external examination: Primary Checkpoint Test.

The students in Years 7, 8 and 9 follow the CAIE Lower Secondary Programme for English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology. History, Geography and Art in the Middle School are based on The British National Curriculum. Global Perspectives, Music, Drama and Dance are also taught.

Students in Year 9 take an external examination: the CAIE Lower Secondary Checkpoint Test.

In Year 10 students begin a two year course that will prepare them as part of the CAIE Upper Secondary Programme to take the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) from the CAIE Examination Board at the end of Year 11. This is an internationally recognized qualification. Students can also be prepared and entered for Collegeboard SATs and APs for entrance to American Universities.

Students in Years 12 and 13 are prepared to sit for CAIE ‘AS/A’ Level examinations using the CAIE Advanced Programme. These are necessary qualifications for entry to universities in the UK, lead to advanced placement at American Universities and are recognised world wide.

Assessment and Reporting

Assessment is continuous. It may be formative or summative, formal or informal.

Student conferences are held three times a year and there is an initial Parents conference in September/October for new students.

Progress reports are written twice a year, December and June.

A conference for Years 11 and 12 students is held in January/February after the ‘mock’ IGCSE, AS/A level examinations.

Parents are encouraged to make appointments to talk to teachers at any time during the year to discuss their child’s progress.

Early Years – The emphasis in the report is on social development.

Lower School – Reports for the Reception class and Year 1 contain comments on subjects, while still emphasizing social skills.

Reports for Years 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain subject comments with effort grades.

Students take CIPP Progression Tests in Years 3, 4 and 5 in English Mathematics and Science.

Effort Grades:

A - Always focused and is able to carry a task to completion

B - Is able to focus on task and maintain a satisfactory level of work

C - Work is of a variable standard and not always completed

Middle and Senior School – Reports contain comments on subjects with effort and attainment grades.

Attainment Grades:

A* 90%+

A 80% - 89%

B 65% - 79%

C 50% - 64%

D 40% - 49%

E 30% - 39%

F 20% - 29%

G 10% - 19%

U Unclassified

Attainment grades for Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 are the grades that the student is likely to achieve in their IGCSE, AS/A Level examinations if they continue to work at the level at which they are working when the school report is issued.

External Examinations

Year 6 – The CAIE Primary Checkpoint Test

Year 9 - The CAIE Lower Secondary Checkpoint Test

Year 11 - The International General Certificate of Secondary Education from the CAIE Examination Board, England

Year 12 and 13 – CAIE AS/A Level Examinations

Examination papers for these external examinations are sent out to the school from CAIE, the students sit the examinations in school and the answer papers are sent back to the Examination Board for marking and grading.

A student will only be entered by the school for subjects for which they have obtained Cs and above in the ‘mock’ examinations held January/February of the year of their IGCSE examinations. If a parent wishes to enter their child for any examination for which the result was less than a C then examination fees for that subject must be paid for by the parents. Changes cannot be made to examination registration once a students name has been forwarded in to the CAIE Examination Board in Cambridge, England.

Years 12 and 13 – ‘AS/A’ Level Examinations - To be accepted for a further one year AS or two year ‘A’ level course the student must have obtained IGCSE passes at grade C or above in the subject to be studied. ‘A’ Level examinations are recognised for advanced placement by American Universities and as entry requirements for European Universities.

Results of IGCSE and ‘AS/A’ Level examinations may be collected from school or directly from CAIE.

A Doctor’s Certificate that will be forwarded to the CAIE Examination Board must be sent to the school if a student is too ill to be present for an external examination.

If a student fails to be present for an external examination for any reason except the above mentioned, then their parents will be invoiced for the examination entrance fee.

The school is also a registered test centre for Collegeboard SATs and AP tests which give access to American Universities.

Parental Involvement and Responsibility

We welcome positive involvement and interaction from parents.

The education of a child is a partnership between school, parents, and student. Without the full participation and co-operation of all parties the student’s education suffers. All interaction between staff and parents should be undertaken in the spirit of mutual respect in order for it to have a positive impact upon the student. Students need to be aware that a positive relationship exists between school and home with communication going both ways.

Parental input is essential and informal meetings between parents and teachers can be easily arranged to address individual concerns. This is best arranged as soon as possible so that any problems may be dealt with in the early stages in a preventative way.

Parents are required to attend meetings arranged by a class teacher, subject teacher or the Headteacher to discuss concerns about an individual student’s work or behaviour. Teachers have the right to expect support, respect, and positive interaction with parents at these meetings.

Meetings between parents, teachers and /or the Headteacher are confidential. We do not hold group meetings.

Parents are expected to attend general meetings and to acquaint themselves fully with this handbook and all other school information including the school calendar, curriculum documents, examinations, disciplinary procedures and letters from school. In this way parents can obtain information based on fact.

Parents are also expected to attend individual parents’ conferences. These conferences present the opportunity for teachers to discuss a student’s overall progress.

Parents are asked to inform the school of anything that might affect a student’s behaviour or academic performance e.g. parental absences.

The school must be able to contact parents at all times. If we are unable to do so because phone numbers have changed or parents have travelled and not informed the school then their child will be taken home and will not be allowed back into school until the situation is rectified.

A refusal by a parent to meet with the Headteacher when asked to do so to discuss a concern, will be seen as a breach in cooperation with the Administration and a breakdown of the relationship between parent and school. If this situation arises the family will be asked to leave the school.

Student rights and responsibilities

Please read and discuss this section with your child.

The school recognizes that students have rights, but these must be balanced against their responsibilities:

• Students have the right to learn and to be free to express their opinions, feelings and ideas. They have the responsibility to: express their opinions feelings and ideas in a polite and positive manner, work hard, complete assignments, allow other students to learn and respect the opinions, feelings and ideas of others.
• Students have the right to have their homework and schoolwork marked on time and to receive prompt feedback on their standards and results. They have the responsibility to spend sufficient time on their work, to complete it to the best of their ability and to hand it in at the time specified for marking and assessing.
• Students have the right to be happy and to be treated with understanding and respect. They have the responsibility to respect others, to treat them with understanding and to not hurt their feelings by words or actions.
• Students have the right to be heard and the right to quiet times for learning and studying. They have the responsibility to listen to others, to wait their turn to speak and to be respectful of other’s quiet learning and studying time.
• Students have the right to be safe and secure in school and the responsibility to respect the right of others to safety and security and to treat them with the same kindness they expect.
• Students have the right to bring their belongings and materials to school and the right to utilize school materials. They have the responsibility to: look after their possessions, text and exercise books; respect the property of the school and other students; share in an appropriate manner.
• Students are expected to behave in a manner that will bring respect to themselves, their families, their school and their home countries.

Homework

Homework is an essential part of self-discipline and self reliance both of which are worth acquiring at an early age. Parents are requested to encourage their children by showing an interest in their homework and to give help by organizing a time and a quiet place for it to be accomplished.

• Children in the Nursery receive no homework and parents are asked to take time to read and tell stories, play and talk to their child about their day.
• Reception and Year 1 classes receive a small amount of homework but it is considered an essential part of the learning process and a time for quiet reflection about the day when new concepts are assimilated.
• Homework for the lower, middle and senior students is very important and parents are required to make sure that: it is done to the best of the ability of the student, completed to be handed in on time and that adequate time has been spent on it.

The following is a guide for daily homework.

Reception Shared reading

Year 1 - ¼ to ½ hour

Year 2 - ¼ to ½ hour

Year 3 - ½ hour

Year 4 - ½ to 1hour

Year 5 - 1 hour

Year 6 - 1 hour

Year 7 - 1 hour

Years 8 & 9 - 1½ hours

Years 10 & 11 - 2 hours

Years 12 & 13 - 3 hours

It is essential that all students read or are read to every day for relaxation and pleasure.

Parental involvement in Homework

Homework is a joint activity that involves home and school. Involvement in your child’s work can help both to interrelate home and school interests and activities.

It is recommended that you:

• Make a commitment to listen to your child tell you about the school day.
• Provide a place where, and a regular time when your child can study without distraction
• Encourage your child to ask questions about their assignments
• Check that all assignments are completed and ask if this is a good piece of work and why. Please do not correct your child’s work as this may give a false impression to the teachers as to the understanding of an assignment.
• Check on progress of long-term assignments.
• Help your child to organise the management of homework
• Ask your child how they did in an assignment.
• Develop a system where your child sets aside a specific place for completed homework so that it is returned to school on time.
• Encourage your child to take responsibility for their homework but show that you are there to provide support.
• Contact class or subject teacher if there is a problem with the amount of homework given or if too much time is needed to complete an assignment.
• Extra English and Mathematics classes are available and may be a necessary condition for the acceptance of some students.

Home Tuition

If you need to employ someone to overview your child’s homework assignments please ensure that:

• They have an understanding of the homework set
• They give support, and encouragement, and explanation but do not complete or correct the homework for the child as this gives a false impression to the teacher setting the work

Student Behaviour

The following are not allowed in school:

• Chewing gum
• Electronic games
• Audio equipment
• Drugs, alcohol or tobacco
• Dangerous items
  

The use of mobile phones in school is prohibited and should be switched off until the end of the school day.

Students are only permitted to leave school within school hours if they have the permission of their parents, form teacher and the Head teacher.

Students may choose to remain in school at playtime or break, but they must be quiet, orderly and engaged in a gainful activity.

Required behaviour of Students

Students are required to be cooperative and considerate of others, follow school and safety rules, solve their own problems if possible, be courteous, work cooperatively as well as independently, use materials and equipment in an appropriate way, be responsible and follow directions from all members of the school staff.

• Behave towards others the way they wish others to behave towards them by being courteous, thoughtful, generous, and fair-minded.
• Respect all members of the school community.
• Allow other students to work in a peaceful environment.
• Complete their homework on time and to the required standard.
• Follow the directions of all teachers at all times.
• Achieve good reports from the teaching staff as to the effort put into school work and behaviour.
• Take responsibility for personal property and respect the property of other members of the school community.
• Treat school property with care.
• Keep their classroom clean and tidy by clearing up after themselves.
• Wear the correct school uniform

Forbidden Students Behaviour

• Use physical or verbal abuse.
• Smoke or drink alcohol.
• Take or use property belonging to the school or others without permission.
• Damage property.
• Refuse to cooperate with a member of school staff.
• Refuse to complete homework to the required level or hand it in on time.

All Students are required to attend Physical Education lessons, including swimming. A Doctor’s note is required for exemption.

Procedure in the event of a discipline problem arising

If a student does not cooperate, continues to repeat their bad behaviour and infringes on the rights of others the following steps will be taken.

A student will be given the opportunity to explain their actions and reflect upon the situation and be given advice, by the staff member involved, on the appropriate way to deal with the problem.

If a student chooses not to accept his/her responsibility to change their behaviour or infringes the rights of others, the following procedure will be followed.

• The form teacher will be informed and will meet with the student to discuss the problem and decide on a way to deal with it.
• If the problem continues, a conference will be held with the student, the form teacher and any other teachers concerned where a strategy will be planned and recorded.
• If the problem persists the parents will be informed and asked to attend a conference with the student and teaching staff. At this meeting targets will be set and a date agreed on for review and evaluation.
• If this fails then the parents and student will be asked to attend a conference with the Head teacher. At this conference a decision may be made to give the student time at home of a period of one or two days to reflect on his/her behaviour.
• At the end of the Reflection Period the student will only be allowed to re-join their class after a discussion with the parents and the headteacher. At this meeting parameters will be set for the future behaviour of the student. No reference to this Reflective Period will appear in the student’s records.
• If a student continues to be uncooperative and breaks these agreed parameters then they will be suspended from attending school for three days. The student will be allowed to attend school only after signing a Behaviour Contract which has been drawn up by the parents and the Headteacher. Notice of this suspension will appear in the student’s records.
• If, after all the above procedures, the student remains unwilling to change or modify his/her behaviour to permit a harmonious and safe working environment for other students, he/she will be excluded.

Exclusion

Exclusion is for the most serious offences or for repeated infractions of school regulations. Parents may choose to remove the child permanently from the school or, together with the Headteacher, design a tailor made package to facilitate the child’s continued education and reintegration into the school community at a later date.

This package, which will entail additional cost to the family, is likely to involve: continual supervision, isolation from the rest of the students and one to one tuition.

Permanent Exclusion from school is immediate for infringement of the laws of Benin.

Notice of exclusion will be included in the student’s records.

N.B. Possession of illegal drugs will result in immediate exclusion.

Transfer to another school

Please inform the class teacher and the Head of School as soon as possible.

End of term reports are only available on the dates specified on the school calendar. Please leave a forwarding address so documentation can be sent to you and be specific as to what is required by the next school.

Any request for documents within four months of a student’s transfer to another school will incur no charge. After four months, an administration fee of 50,000FCFA will be charged for the extraction of documents from the archives.

Educational equipment and materials and books belonging to The English International School must be returned before the student leaves or payment made to cover the loss. School reports, references and certificates of attendance will not be issued until all the above have been returned or payment made and all fees have been paid.

School Security

There is 24 hour security provided by outside security firms. Parents are requested not to park their vehicles in the road where the school buildings are situated as this is a safety hazard. The school has a closed campus policy during school hours.

Photography and videography used as part of school activities may be published by EIS on the school website and in the Year Book. Beyond this use, the school will seek specific permission from parents to use such images or videos.