Vision for Teaching & Learning

Core aims of Teaching and Learning at Island School are …

to develop all the talents of its students: intellectual, academic, imaginative, physical, moral and social;
for students to look back at their time at Island School fondly and to know that their time here helped them to become successful and happy;
for students to grow into people who contribute positively to the different communities they become part of;
for students to be effective learners, beyond as well as in, the classroom and to love learning throughout their lives;
to contribute significantly to students’ growing sense of what is right and wrong and to support them in finding meaning in an increasingly complex and diverse world;
to develop global awareness and inter-cultural understanding in our students that rests on a firm sense of self and individual cultural identity;
to develop in students the competencies outlined in the IB Learner Profile;
to ensure that every student achieves examination results in line with or beyond expectations and is able to move on to the higher educational experience they need and want;
to develop creative problem solvers who work effectively as part of teams.

In your element

The informal atmosphere at Island School allows us to focus on and celebrate individuals. We address each student’s needs and help them to thrive without pushing them into a preformed mould. Island School is both a cohesive community with shared values and a place that supports the self-determination of each individual. Students are free to express their views, be whom they want to be and to learn from the individuality of others.

Our focus on guidance and care gives students the security to find and follow their personal passions. Our inspiring staff know that enjoyment is key to motivating students to become curious lifelong learners. At Island School our extensive range of co-curricular activities enable each student to excel, to find what they are good at and how they can best further these skills.

We aim to provide opportunities for every individual to find their element and develop their natural talents. We don’t just teach subjects; we enable the whole child to learn at a pace and in a way that suits them best.

Confidence with humility

Visitors and parents often comment on the assuredness and quiet pride of our students. Young people need confidence to tackle the uncertainties of their future in a changing and complex world. Island School nurtures students to be self-assured without being arrogant; we encourage risk-taking without rashness.

All Island School students have real opportunities to influence all aspects of school life. Our students feel valued and understand that what they say and how they feel counts. Beyond the school gates, our students know that with awareness of ever-changing local and global issues, there comes responsibility - to care enough to want to make a difference and to have the confidence to be able to do so.

Students develop their ability to take initiative. They grow to trust their judgments in unfamiliar situations and to have the independence of mind to take a principled stand on issues they feel strongly about. They have the confidence to articulate and defend their positions, but will listen to others who hold different opinions and will measure the value of viewpoints through reflection, research and discussion.

Building futures together

Success for our students in the 21st Century will depend upon their ability to collaborate and to value interdependence. Island School students learn to live in a world where communities are global and connections are vital. They learn to be creative and adaptable when facing complex challenges. All influential career fields value and develop the ability to work productively as part of dynamic and diverse teams and so at Island School students work together in all aspects of school life from academic pursuits to sporting excellence; from environmental activity to artistic endeavour.

Compelled by their empathy and compassion, our students actively strive to improve the lives of others. Community service helps them to develop an understanding that all our lives are interconnected.

Island School reflects the diversity of the world. Our students’ many languages and cultural legacies enrich our school family. It is within this environment that our students learn to live side by side and to value each other. Our six houses are families within a family where younger students are supported and encouraged by their older ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’. Guided by experienced and caring house staff, senior students take on the role of leader in a variety of activities. When they leave Island School they take all these skills and values on to the foremost universities and colleges throughout the world.

Beyond the obvious

Island School has a reputation for being ‘No Ordinary School’. Our students experience more than the usual academic approach when they are on their journey with us. We believe that the purpose of learning goes beyond accumulating factual knowledge and a clutch of excellent qualifications. Our students develop an understanding of what the world is like, how it has come to be as it is and what their role might be to shape it in the future.

Learning involves questioning conventional wisdom and understanding that there are different ways to know. It involves knowing how to tell truth from opinion and fact from propaganda. Island School students will see links across the disciplines and be able to transfer their skills from one domain to the next, and from there to completely new contexts. Learning is a creative activity that requires students to look at things from unexpected angles and to thrive on uncertainty.

We are all learners at Island School. Teachers, as much as students, are committed to being the best they can be and have high expectations of the same commitment in others. Teachers and students enjoy friendly but respectful relationships that foster learning and creativity.