Heathfield International School delivers the Oxford International Curriculum (OIC) to all key stages. It is based on the National Curriculum of England.
British education has achieved a worldwide reputation for quality, and is recognised and respected around the world. One of the huge benefits is how transferable it is – pupils can move seamlessly from country to country or back to the UK.
Key Characteristics
The Oxford International Curriculum is well designed and easy to follow. Comprehensive lesson plans afford us the time to fine-tune planning to suit the needs of your pupils: stretching brighter children and supporting those who need it through differentiated teaching and learning activities.
Teaching Wellbeing and Global Skills is not only been beneficial for the children but refreshing for their teachers.
Through Wellbeing lessons, pupils learn that a healthy body promotes a happy state of mind, which in turn boosts their learning and retention.
The curriculum supports the development of curiosity, critical thinking, empathy building, good decision making and the self-determination that comes with a positive self-concept and ‘can do’ attitude. Through probing questions pupils develop self-awareness and begin to form their moral compass, or core values. We model and promote values such as: integrity, family, fairness, personal responsibility, and kindness.
Through project-based learning we see pupils working collaboratively and creatively to solve real-life issues that demand attention. It is heart-warming and highly relevant to the world we live in.
The OIC also offers insightful and practical professional development: it turns teachers into learners, who then became better educators.
We look forward to using the Oxford International Curriculum as the cornerstone of our school curriculum in the years to come.
Overall Structure
The education system is divided into Foundation Stage (ages 3 to 5), primary education (ages 5 to 11) and secondary education (ages 11 to 18) leading most typically to an A Level qualification.
HISV currently offers the following subjects at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3: English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Global Skills Projects, Wellbeing, Music, Physical Education, Art, Lao Studies and Mandarin.
In the future, HISV pupils will follow the General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme in Key Stage 4. During the IGCSE programme, pupils will typically take courses in the core subject groups of mathematics, science, English language, English literature, but can choose other subjects from the options choices. They are awarded certificates from the examination boards for the subjects that they successfully complete.
Pupils then take their A Level exams at the end of Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13). Years 12 and 13 are often referred to as Lower and Upper Sixth Form respectively.
Learning for Tomorrow
We live in a rapidly changing world and we are preparing our students for life in a society where they may be working in jobs and using technologies that do not currently exist. Through the British curriculum at HISV we place significant emphasis on the development of personal learning and thinking skills that will result in young people who are flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances without fear of inhibition, enabling and empowering them to meet the demands of 21st century life.
Personal Development
We understand that children of tomorrow are going to need very special personal qualities and skills. For this reason, children at HISV will learn in such a way that they develop the personal qualities of respect, striving for excellence, accepting accountability and being able to face challenges whilst maintaining an optimistic outlook. The efforts toward achievement of these attributes and personal goals are embedded in our everyday teaching and learning.
International Mindedness and Global Awareness
One of the most essential life skills is developing an understanding of, and a respect for others. We embrace this concept through nurturing and fostering this respect for one another within both our immediate community and the world in which we live. We encourage our children to identify similarities rather than differences among cultures and to celebrate and respect other people’s beliefs, opinions, and customs.
Problem Solving and Thinking Skills
We place significant value on the development of problem solving and thinking skills. We recognise that the process of reaching an outcome is as important as the activity or content of a lesson. Our pupils learn to investigate and hypothesize.
They develop the skills of enquiry rather than merely learning facts. Children learn to ask questions and define objectives as they seek solutions to problems. Children at HISV develop mathematical reasoning by applying their mathematical knowledge and skills: selecting strategies rather than learning by rote or formula without understanding.
Computing
The increasing importance of technology in our lives is obvious and all pervading. Computing covers a range of theory and practical topics which teach the children the knowledge and skills needed to use technology safely. From year 1, children are taught these skills during dedicated lessons in a well-equipped ICT room. Our older students have access to tablets to carry out research etc. during other lessons.