Braeside High School
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BRAESIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Braeside High School’s ethos reads: “To maintain high academic and moral standards. At the same time an orderly, peaceful, friendly, welcoming and secure atmosphere that enhances respect for one another, our belongings and the environment as a whole.”
One of the Braeburn Schools Kenya Limited [1] schools, Braeside High School [2] is a co-educational international day school open to students of all religions, races and nationalities. Braeside opened in 1994 as a primary school (Braeside School) and in 1996 developed into a fully-fledged learning institution offering academic programs based on the British National Curriculum. The Braeside campus is located in the up-market area of Lavington, Nairobi, near Lavington Green shopping centre along Muthangari Road.
Braeside High School covers Years 7 to 11 of the British National Curriculum, which is about entitlement, giving all students a programme of learning experiences ultimately offering the maximum opportunity for development. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects.
Braeside is one of the largest fully-accredited Cambridge International Centres [3]in Kenya. Over the last five years Braeside has consistently presented over 70 candidates annually for examination through the prestigious University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). Braeside High School is also registered with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) of the United Kingdom and students in Year 9 sit the same Standardised Attainment Tests (SATs) that are done in schools within the United Kingdom.
Braeside High School offers courses leading to international qualifications including the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), the International Certificate of Education (ICE) and the old General Certificate of Education (GCE) O level. Facilities
Classrooms are attractive and stimulating, well-resourced and designed to facilitate the school aims. In addition there are a number of excellent facilities within the school, which enable teachers to deliver the curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Facilities include 3 Science laboratories; 2 art rooms; 2 computer laboratories; a well-stocked library; a 25-metre swimming pool and training pool; large playing fields; a modern kitchen; a large dining hall also catering for indoor games; fully-equipped classrooms for each teaching group. Text books and stationery are provided.
The British National Curriculum has two main subject groups: Core and Foundation subjects. The core subjects - English, Mathematics and Science - are compulsory throughout High School. In Year 10 the option system is introduced and students select subjects of their choice in addition to the core subjects. Students must select at least one subject from the Science and Humanities cohorts and a modern foreign language. Each candidate takes a maximum of 8 subjects for their IGCSE examinations. Foundation subjects include History and Geography; Literature; Sociology; Information Communication Technology (ICT); Design and Technology; Food Science; Business Studies; Music and Drama; Foreign Languages (Kiswahili or French).
Braeside High School runs a well-established pastoral system aimed at fostering the development of self-discipline. The school aims to provide a supportive environment that helps students recognize and develop their own strengths, acknowledge and manage their weaknesses and gain the confidence they need to face the challenges that lie ahead. Through a comparative approach to Religious Education, Braeside promotes understanding, truth, honesty, tolerance, and respect regardless of differences in creed or colour.
Students experience team games and play a variety of sports, namely: soccer, rounders, netball, cricket, hockey, volleyball, rugby and athletics and swimming lessons. Teamwork and co-operation are taught as well as healthy competition being encouraged. Sports Days and Swimming Galas are also key events in the school year, as are Inter-House competitions and Inter-School competitions.
For extra-curricular activities, Braeside offers a wide range either lunchtime or after-school activities. These vary seasonally but cover a wide range of sports, music and creative subjects. There are also Clubs, including Scouts, Wildlife, Community Service, First Aid, Creative Art, Table Tennis, Badminton, Karate, Horse riding and Debating.
Students are taken out on educational visits as part and parcel of their work. These are not optional and are an integral part of the student's learning. In addition to local tours, the school organizes an international trip each year. So far students have visited South Africa, France, Great Britain, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Uganda and Dubai.
There is in place a continuous assessment system which assists the teachers and students to identify any problem areas. Braeside High is particularly concerned with the two ends of special needs continuum - the less able and the more able student. There is a learning support team that works with individual students or small groups within a class or year group. Braeside actively encourages an open and honest partnership between parents and the school. As well as parent-teacher interviews, curriculum evenings are also arranged throughout the year to explain aspects of the curriculum. Through newsletters, policies are explained and parents are kept informed of curriculum developments as they happen.
Students travel to school by car or may take advantage of the school transport system. Each bus has a particular route to school, which allows the majority of Nairobi to be covered by a convenient bus route. The routes the buses take and transport costs are available from the school office.
The qualified School Nurse provides first aid for minor injuries and takes responsibility for administering prescribed medicines. The School is covered by medical insurance for school trips both local and farther afield.
Admission takes place throughout the year and students wishing to join the school must take entrance tests in Maths and English, to allow accurate class placement. A small non-refundable registration fee accompanies applications for admission, and on receipt of this, an offer is made in writing. Students who cannot be accommodated immediately are put on a waiting list.
