Message from the Principal

I would very much like to draw your attention to some important beliefs that we at the International School of Bologna hold to be important:

Internationalism

You may well choose an International School for your child to attend. This will be, I hope, a well thought-out decision for the term “International” brings with it changes to the type of education that perhaps you, as parents, are unfamiliar with both in philosophy, teaching methodology and curriculum content. You, as will your children, be required to embrace the differences that this school brings to the teaching and learning process. One of the many roles the school has is to assist you with understanding the changes in the methodology of education that your child will be receiving.

Education is a Process – not a Race

The curriculum framework of the International School of Bologna is based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Critical to this programme is the recognition that children are natural inquirers who will develop socially, physically and educationally at different times and at different speeds. We all recognize that our own children adopted different times for crawling, walking, talking, managing to feed themselves and even wanting stay out late at night! If this is true then we should also recognize that children will have different times that they learn to hold a pencil, when they wish to start reading, are able to colour within the lines, remember to bring home clothing from school and do their homework without causing a huge domestic upheaval!
So please, as we do at school, recognize that for different children we have different expectations socially, physically and educationally.

Education is a Partnership

You, as parents, place an incredible trust in the school and teachers. This trust gives us, as educators, a huge responsibility to ensure that we meet the needs of your children. To do this effectively the school needs your support. There are many ways of doing this but, critically, the main one is to maintain contact with your child’s teacher. This means making the school aware of any questions, concerns, anxieties that you may have – as and when you have them. We would much rather deal with an issue immediately than hear of it too late when perhaps your concern has grown out of proportion. If your question is directly related to your child then please, in the first instant, contact your child’s teacher – they are in the best position to answer your questions.

This website is designed to give you an overview of the school. It will not give you all the answers – no website ever can – but it is an attempt to give information and perhaps answer some of your questions.
If you do have further questions please do not hesitate to contact the school – we will be delighted to assist you with what could be an incredibly important decision in the future of your child.
With best wishes,

Conal Atkins
Principal
International School of Bologna.