Changing schools – how we ensure your child’s social wellbeing

We want every child to love coming to school and we are delighted that parents say their children are happy at BSY. Starting from the moment you first contact us, we seek to understand your needs and concerns. Our holistic admissions process provides support and guidance throughout every stage of the journey to ensure your child is a happy member of the BSY community.

Paul Holyome is Principal of the British School Yangon. “Over the past four years, many families have chosen to join our wonderful school. With rolling admissions, there is always someone new, and our friendly school community are passionate about making every family’s move a success.”

In addition to thinking about their child’s academic transition, some of the most common concerns expressed by parents joining a school mid-year relate to their child’s social well-being: the need to make new friends, to form good relationships with new teachers, and for those relocating into a country for the first time, adjust to a new culture. Pastoral care is a priority and we have many support systems in place to address your child’s social and emotional needs throughout their transition.

“At BSY, we take a very personalised, child-centred approach to mid-year transition and there are several vital ingredients which support your child’s social wellbeing. One is the quality of our staff: as part of Nord Anglia Education, we are able to attract outstanding teachers who care for every student. We create a learning environment that children love coming to. Finally, we enrich our curricula with one-of-a-kind experiences – perfect for learning and making friends,” Holyome continued.

We get to know your child

People often assume that the application process is solely about assessing your child’s academic capabilities. At BSY, it is as much about getting to know your child and how we can best personalise their school experience.

We will meet your family and start building a relationship – in person where possible or through emails and skype calls. Our experienced admissions team and talented teaching staff will ask you lots of questions – what is your child good at, what do they like to do, what do they find challenging, how do they feel about the upcoming move? We will ask you to share a variety of information with us, including academic reports and recommendations. Together, this information enables us to personalise your child’s learning experience and look for opportunities to help them build confidence within the important first few weeks of school. Read more about how we support your child’s academic transition, here.

Equipping you with the key information

The unknown can be scary. We strive to fully prepare your child for life at our school and remove this anxiety by sharing key information before you join. It is important to us that your child knows that we are looking forward to and prepared for their arrival.

In addition to providing you with details of the books and materials your child will receive, we share your child’s timetable so that they can talk through their school day and understand what happens, when. If your child was not able to tour the school before they joined, we can share photos of our facilities so they feel a bit more familiar on day one. New students are also welcome to come into school before they start to meet the teacher and their class. We help you ensure your child has the right uniform and equipment to help them feel like they already fit in at the school.

There is a lot of new information to absorb so we encourage you to ask as many questions as you need and share any concerns so that we can work through them together before day one.

A fantastic first day

At BSY, we know first impressions count. We want your child to finish their first day excited to come back for their second day. Our brand-new campus with its world class facilities is a truly engaging environment, offering your child a wide variety of exciting learning opportunities and a cohesive international student community.

Before they join, your child will be given a buddy with likeminded interests in their class who shows them the ropes, guides them around the school and helps them settle into all aspects of school life. We pride ourselves on the connection between students and teachers: 97% of parents say their child has good relationships with their teachers. Our teachers will ensure that your child is supported in the classroom, creating personalised learning experiences which will engage and inspire them. Read more about how we support your child’s academic transition here.

Continuing passions and unlocking talents

Our rich extra-curricular programme integrates students of all ages outside the school day and so is perfect for learning, making new friends and building a sense of belonging. Whether your child chooses to continue their current interests or try something new, we have over 31 different clubs to encourage them to participate in at least one or two activities. During term one, 82% of students participated in an after school club!

They will also be connected to Nord Anglia’s worldwide student community through our Global Campus. In addition to meeting students in 26 countries around the world, they also have the opportunity to participate in one-of-a-kind events and expeditions, instilling lifelong memories and cementing new friendships.

 Checking-in, settling-in

It may take several weeks, or even months, for your child to feel settled at our school and we continue to support their transition throughout. Communication between parents and teachers is particularly vital during this time. You may notice different behaviours at home or have concerns about how they are coping with the change, and likewise teachers may pick up on particular conduct at school. We encourage open conversations at home and school to allow your child to express their feelings.

We will be in regular contact with you, sharing updates and advice and we encourage you to do the same. We have many pastoral support systems in place and by working as a team, we are able to intervene earlier and resolve any issues.

Welcoming your whole family

We also want our parents to love coming to school and we help your whole family settle in Yangon. You will be warmly welcomed into our vibrant and diverse school community. Our community, including class representatives in our primary school, are here to offer you support and advice on all aspects of life here. We also hold a wide variety of events throughout the year to help you build your network.

If you are considering moving your child mid-year and would like to find out more about BSY, please get in touch with our admissions team via phone on +95-9795541805 / +95-1-9669329 or email at admissions@britishschoolyangon.org.