PARENT ESSENTIALS

FAQs for Current Parents

• How many students are in a class, and what is the current student-to-teacher ratio?

  Our class sizes typically range from 12 to 22 students, depending on the year group. The average student-to-teacher ratio will also vary, depending on the year group, as follows:
   
  Early Years 
  Pre-Nursery (2 years old) 
  1:4 student-to-teacher ratio  
  
  Nursery (3 years old) 
  1:8 student-to-teacher ratio 
  
  Reception (4 years old)  
  1:10 student-to-teacher ratio  
  
  Primary School 
  The average size of each year group in BISW’s primary school is 36 
  students. We divide each year group into two (sometimes three) classrooms for an average of 18 students per classroom.
   
  Years 1–2: Each class has a classroom teacher and a learning assistant. Our students see specialist teachers each week.  
  
  Years 3–6: In addition to the classroom teacher, our students see specialist teachers each week.  
   
  Secondary School 
  The average size of each year group in BISW’s secondary school is 36 
  students. Years 7–13 typically have an average class size of 14–24 students. The class size is dependent upon the course and the total number of students per year group. 
• What languages do you offer, and when do they start?

  BISW offers Spanish instruction from Nursery to Year 13 and French instruction for intermediate to advanced speakers in Years 7 through 13. We also permit families to externally arrange foreign language tutors to provide lessons in other languages to substitute for Spanish or French. 
• How is your approach to teaching different from other schools’ approaches?

  BISW implements Nord Anglia Education’s “Create Your Future” approach to teaching. We are committed to developing children’s minds and relationships, as well as their understanding of their place within the community and the world at large. Your child will leave our school with everything they need for success, no matter what they choose to do or be in life. 
  
  We achieve this by educating children to become:
  • Lifelong learners who are principled and empathetic
  • Tolerant and sensitive members of the school and community
  • Responsible, knowledgeable, and adaptable citizens who are ready to prosper in an ever-changing and challenging world
  • Future leaders
• Do you have provisions for children with special educational needs?

  BISW is an inclusive school, and our Learning Support Department provides targeted assistance for children who need extra help. The best way for us to know if our school is the right fit for your child is to complete an application and include any documentation about your child’s needs. This documentation may consist of psychology reports and Individual Education Plans (IEPs).
• Where do your families live, and do you have school buses?

  Our families come from all around the DC area, including locations in Maryland and Virginia. We offer bus services within a 20-mile radius from the school.
• As a parent, how can I get involved?

  BISW encourages every parent to take an active role in our school’s life and events. Our Parents’ Association offers excellent opportunities to become involved through volunteer activities at the school and through Parent Representative roles.
• How does the school communicate with parents?

  BISW stays in touch with parents through various mediums:
  • Face-to-face conversations, which are always available, either at formally planned parent-teacher conferences or informal meetings at the request of the parent or teacher.
  • Reports throughout the school year, which help parents understand their child’s academic progress so far.
  • Email dialogue between the teacher and parent, which helps our community remain connected.
  • Web-based app portals, for posting pictures and updates from your child’s class.
  • Our social media presence (on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), which helps us showcase exciting moments from around the school and gives our community a chance to cheer on our students.
  • Our weekly newsletters, which include letters from our senior leadership team and which highlight events and activities.
  • Regular coffee mornings at our school, which give parents and guardians a chance to meet other parents and faculty members.
• Is a school lunch provided? If so, where is the food sourced from and made?

  Yes, BISW partners with FLIK Dining, an independent school dining service that provides delicious, healthy menus to school children. FLIK adheres to the highest standards of food hygiene and preparation. 

  They source local ingredients when possible and create their menu items right here in our on-site kitchen. This makes it possible for your child to enjoy a range of wholesome, hearty meals each week.

• Are you a selective school?

  BISW is academically non-selective because we believe that no child has a limit to their potential or ability. 
  
  However, when considering applicants, we look to see if they share our values of respect, tolerance, and open-mindedness and whether we can accommodate their individual needs to ensure they receive the best possible education.