International Community School, London
| Established | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent |
| Head of School | Rose Threlfall |
| Founder | Niels Toettcher and Ann Alexander |
| Location |
London UK Coordinates: 51°31′04″N 0°10′13″W / 51.5177°N 0.1703°W |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 3–18 |
| Website | ICS School Web-site |
International Community School (ICS) is a co-educational independent school located in central London, teaching students from three to 50 years old.
History
The Toettcher family established International Community School (ICS)[1] in 1979. The school was set up to teach children English within a full curriculum International School. Since then the School has broadened its scope to offer a full curriculum for children between 3 and 18 years old. In 2008, the International Baccalaureate made ICS an IB World School, accredited to teach the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP).[2] In 2010, ICS was awarded accreditation to teach the IB Diploma, becoming one of only five schools in the UK to teach all three school-age levels of the IB.[3]
Philosophy and effectiveness
ICS is a non-selective Ofsted-inspected[4] school with a pedagogy based on the constructivist theory of learning, which holds that students learn best by constructing their own theories based on experience and reflection. ICS students are taught to analyse, synthesise, create, empathise, interpret, research, defend alternative perspectives in order to determine what they know and don’t know. The school embraces internationalism and inclusivity, with minimal distinction made between students based on ethnicity, cognitive or emotional capabilities. Within this inclusive framework, the school maintains a rigorous academic focus, matching the world average IB Diploma score,[5] and encouraging students to apply to top-tier universities.
Curriculum
ICS teaches the International Baccalaureate curriculum through the three programmes:
- PYP for students aged 3–11 years
- MYP for students aged 11–16 years
- IB Diploma for students aged 16 and over
Campuses
The school has facilities for 1000 students based at three campuses, all within a mile of each other around Marylebone, central London. Students in Reception and Years 1-4 are taught at the ICS Primary School campus, adjacent to Regent's Park. Years 5 and 6 are taught at the ICS Middle School, at Wyndham Place in central Marylebone. Years 7 to 13 are taught at the ICS Secondary School, which is situated between Hyde Park and Paddington railway station. The campuses include classrooms, laboratories, art and music studios, theatre space, eating facilities and outdoor space. The school uses sports facilities nearby, including both Regent's Park and Hyde Park.
English Language Courses
The Preparation Course provides intensive English support for students aged 3–18, many of whom are studying the IB curriculum in their second language. An English language school operates throughout the summer months.
Special Educational Needs
A Special Educational Needs department supports students in all areas of the school and works closely with language support staff. At Primary, Middle and Secondary schools, the Student Support program also includes a life-skills programme.
Field Studies and Outdoor Education
The school owns a field studies and outdoor education centre at Bawdsey on the Suffolk Coast where students spend at least a week a year engaged in an outdoor education programme centred on environmental literacy.
References
- ↑ Good Schools Guide entry
- ↑ International Community School official page on the IB website
- ↑ IB World Schools finder UK list of World Schools
- ↑ Edubase UK government listing
- ↑ IB Diploma scores from 2014
External links
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