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ALMUÑÉCAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Our school is a successful and rapidly expanding establishment which has full authorisation from both the British and the Spanish authorities. Its main aim is to provide an excellent all-round education for the pupils in a secure and stimulating environment. We have a team of dedicated, well-qualified teachers and able support staff. The school also benefits from a splendid setting and comfortable, attractive facilities.
We are continually striving to improve and develop our school. Since its foundation in 1989 much has already been achieved. The school population has now reached 200 pupils, the facilities have been considerably improved and the curriculum has been extended. Facilities include a new dining hall, sports area, the introduction of computers into the curriculum, a library, the expansion of arts and cultural activities, and careers guidance provision for the senior students.
ALMUÑECAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IS FULLY RECOGNISED ACCORDING TO THE ROYAL DECREE 80611993 AND BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANDALUCIA (BOJA No. 133, 19th October, 1995, FOR AGES 3-16, 24th MAY, 1997, FOR AGES 3-18) THE SCHOOL IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH SCHOOLS IN SPAIN (NABBS) AND OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS (ECIS).
IN AUGUST, 1996, A.I.S. WAS THE WINNER OF THE FARO DE ORO PRIZE.
IT IS AN AUTHORISED EXAMINATONS CENTRE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE AND FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON BOARD.
History
Almuñécar International School was founded in 1989 by a small group of highly motivated parents who wanted a distinct form of education for their children, and one alternative to the limited options in the area. Since then the school has grown rapidly and gained full authorisation from the Government as a Primary and Secondary school offering an education in English and Spanish to pupils in the 4-18 range.
At Almuñécar International School Secondary students are prepared, at 16 years of age, for the international G.C.S.E. examinations and, at 18, for the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examinations. As the school is an authorised centre, our pupils' studies are fully recognised by the Spanish and British authorities through a system of 'homologation'. This enables pupils to enter higher education either in Spain or abroad. Above all, pupils at the school learn in an international context and the education they receive prepares them for adult life in a rapidly changing world. Although the pupil population comprises of many different nationalities and varied backgrounds, pupils share a strong sense of identity and common cause.
Aims and Objectives of the School
We aim to:
Provide a happy, stimulating, secure and calm environment for children and everyone involved with the school.
Foster consideration and respect for others within a multicultural context.
Provide a broad and balanced dual curriculum, leading to internationally recognised examination courses.
Promote varied and appropriate approaches to teaching and learning.
Maintain a code of good behaviour and a disciplined approach to learning.
Encourage self-reliance.
Create a cohesive school community.
So that:
Students are motivated and learn happily and effectively.
Students are self-disciplined, courteous and considerate.
Students make appropriate progress and fulfil their potential.
Students are equipped to live successfully in a rapidly changing society.
Students develop a life-long interest in learning and culture.
The Curriculum
The pupils of Almuñécar International School follow, in general terms, the English National Curriculum. The Curriculum covers the major areas of English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, the Humanities, the Arts and Physical education. In the Upper Primary school pupils also begin in the study of a third language. Due to the special nature of the school, the pupils follow Spanish and Social Studies according to the objectives of the Spanish National Curriculum.
The main emphasis in the primary curriculum, especially during the early years of school, is on the teaching of numeracy, oracy and literacy. In both mathematics and reading, the staff make use of well-known teaching schemes, supplemented by other materials and activities. Similarly, in Spanish the pupils follow well-established courses which provide a structured approach to language learning. Several other subject areas are integrated within the topics studied by the children. As the pupils become older, greater emphasis is placed on individual subjects in order to prepare them fully for secondary education and the examination system.
The majority of the teaching is in English, this intensive experience enabling children to learn the language quickly. Extra classes are arranged for children who do not speak English or Spanish or who need to improve their knowledge of the language. Similarly, Spanish-qualified teachers teach Spanish and Sociales. In this way pupils, whatever their home language, can gain maximum benefit from the school's distinct approach to education.
The teachers carefully plan the children's work according to the school's curriculum objectives and the needs of each individual child. Every unit of work is designed to help children acquire particular knowledge and skills and experience a broad range of activities and teaching approaches. Special Needs support is offered within the resources available and the school's Education Psychologist can provide advice and support to children, staff and parents. Older students also receive advice and support relating to university study and careers.
Careful monitoring and regular assessment by staff help to ensure that pupils make appropriate progress and learn effectively. Parents are encouraged to visit the school and are kept informed through formal consultation meetings and pupil reports. Progress reports are issued every month for older pupils and every two months for children in the lower primary school. Teachers keep their own records of pupils progress using National Curriculum levels and we have begun to use SATs at the end of Key Stages for our own school use. Also, on an individual basis, significant concerns over either academic progress or behaviour are immediately communicated to parents. In the secondary school we encourage each pupil to assess his/her own progress, maintain records and negotiate targets with the subject teachers. Each class tutor supports the pupils in this programme. Secondary pupils have a homework diary which helps them organise their studies effectively and gives parents an opportunity to oversee their homework and pass on comments to staff. This partnership between home and school is vital to the school's success, helping both to create a happy, secure environment for the children and a high level of academic achievement.
Extra-Curricular Activities
At Almuñécar International School we believe it is important for the students to have learning experiences which go well beyond the everyday curriculum. Staff organise visits to local places or events of interest in order to give the pupils direct experience of history, culture, geographical features or local industry. Recent examples include visits to Granada , Sierra Nevada and the National Park in Doñana. We are also arranging exchanges with other school's abroad.
Sport and leisure activities are playing an increasingly important part in the school's life. Our sports area provides space for basketball, hockey, volleyball and football. We also have close contact with several clubs and current initiatives include after-school football coaching, a craft class and a chess club.
Facilities
The school enjoys a beautiful setting with extensive views overlooking the sea, the mountains with their terraced hillsides, and the town of Almuñécar. The school building has a most attractive interior, which has been significantly adapted and tailored to suit the children's needs. There are, at present, thirteen classrooms, which are bright and well furnished, several seminar rooms for study and practical work, an Art-room, Information technology room, laboratory and library.
The school library contains an increasing range of both fiction and non-fiction in Spanish and English, while the I.T. room has a range of modern computers which are readily available to the pupils. Also there is an all-weather sports pitch which is currently being further adapted for games activities.
In the school's short history the facilities have been skilfully extended and further building expansion is planned for the near future. These pleasant surroundings, together with the small teaching groups, help to create a calm yet stimulating learning environment for the children.
The School Calendar
The school calendar follows the European pattern of long summer holidays of two months and breaks at Christmas, Easter and half-terms. The school day for pupils is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a twenty minute break in the morning, and an hour for lunch. After school activities are organised during the week, but do not go beyond 6.00 pm.
Lunch is provided for all pupils at the school. The meals, which are prepared in our own kitchen, are varied and well balanced and include a vegetarian option. Students eat communally under staff supervision in the dining hall.
Transport is available, on designated school bus routes, to and from school. Coach services are provided from Almuñécar, La Herradura, Nerja and Motril with regular stopping points along the route.
ALMUÑÉCAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Urb. Los Pinos s/n
Avda. Capitán Rodríguez
18690 Almuñécar
Granada
Tlf: 958-635911
Fax: 958-639003
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