Setting the standard - how we achieve academic excellence

At BIS Bratislava, we’re committed to academic excellence. Our aspiration is for every child to be the best they can be, whether it’s in maths or science, the arts, sports, or languages.

We believe the key to unlocking each student’s unique potential is personalisation. This means delivering an education that meets the needs, interests, talents, and ambitions of each child. But how do we do this practice? And how can we ensure everyone achieves high levels of academic performance?

In this article, we explain our educational approach, which is rooted in a desire to create a truly individualised learning experience for each child.

The BIS Bratislava philosophy

A BIS Bratislava education is built around the preferences of each student. We make sure every child – from the early years through to secondary – follows a personalised academic programme that nurtures their strengths, interests, and ambitions.

Personalisation at BISB means many things. It’s adjusting the pace of learning in lessons. It’s offering a wide choice of subjects at IGCSE and IB Diploma level. And it’s providing an extensive range of activities beyond the classroom, so that every child can excel in an area they’re passionate about.

Tailoring learning in these ways – and more – is a surefire way to boost our students’ academic performance.

Personalisation in practice – inspiring exceptional academic performance

Personalisation is woven into every aspect of the education we offer at BISB, from the way we teach to the curriculum we deliver.

The world’s finest curricula

Our tailored approach is underpinned by the best of British and international curricula.

This includes IGCSEs in Years 10 and 11, which give every student the chance to create an academic programme that meets their interests and ambitions. Our young people take between 7 and 11 IGCSE subjects, which include a choice of optional courses in music, art, PE, and more.

Our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), which students follow in Years 12 and 13, is fully customisable, too. Our young people choose subjects from six different groups. They also select a topic they’re passionate about for their Extended Essay, as well as choosing Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) opportunities based on their interests and ambitions.

Outstanding learning experiences

A range of experiences give our students the opportunity to do what they love – and excel beyond the curriculum. Through these activities, our young people develop vital skills and attributes, which ultimately boost their academic performance in the classroom.

• International, regional, and local trips expose our students to different cultures, ideas, and challenges. These enriching opportunities – which include our citizenship expedition to Tanzania and personal challenge residential in Les Martinets, Switzerland – help our students grow as learners and people, as they spend time away from home and enjoy new experiences.
• Community service opportunities demonstrate the impact a person or people can have on others. From our collaboration with UNICEF to The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and COBIS leadership training, our social responsibility initiatives broaden our students’ horizons and enhance social-emotional learning.
• Extra-curricular activities, which include more than 70 clubs and programmes, offer choice and opportunity. Students develop their skills beyond the classroom, discover new interests, and create a unique, fully personalised schedule of experiences.

World-class teachers

Our teachers are experts in personalised learning. They treat each student as an individual, getting to know their interests, strengths, and areas for development. This enables them to tailor activities and provide the right level of support and challenge. Our staff bring impressive qualifications and extensive international experience into our classrooms, too, and share our desire to help every learner achieve the highest levels of academic performance.

Wellbeing support

We know that happy, healthy students perform best, and we’re committed to making sure every child has the care they need to thrive. Our outstanding pastoral care team, which includes a psychologist, nurse, and safeguarding team, actively keep an eye on our students’ wellbeing. Children also learn about important topics in an age-appropriate way. These include sexual health and relationships, and how to prepare for university life.

Other ways we strive to improve academic performance

• Professional development for teachers: regular training – including through Nord Anglia University – enhances our teaching strategies and cultivates new, innovative approaches.
• Enhancing our curriculum: we regularly refine and refresh our curricula to ensure it includes relevant, global content that inspires critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Using the latest technology: the ever-evolving use of educational technology facilitates increasingly interactive and engaging learning experiences.
• Creating a positive environment: we work hard to create a real sense of community spirit, fostering a warm and supportive environment where every student can excel.
• Setting and adapting goals: we support our young people to set, track, and refine their academic performance goals, ensuring they always have ownership over their learning.
• Working collaboratively: endless opportunities for group work and collaboration enhance learning through peer interaction.

Inspiring academic performance through personalisation

We’re proud of our personalised approach – and the results show that it works. Our IBDP class of 2024 achieved a 93% pass rate, 12% above the national average. Our IBDP points score of 31.4 was higher than the global average, too.

Outstanding academic performance unlocks a world of opportunities, and many of our students continue their education at the best universities in the world.

To find out more about academic performance at BIS Bratislava, please get in touch with us at: +421 2 6930 7081.