Policies

Text books

BISC Wrocław uses current textbooks from the United Kingdom. These are loaned to students for the academic year, and must be returned to the school in June. Parents are expected to cover the cost of any lost or damaged textbooks.

Reports, grading and testing
As a British international school, we follow a curriculum that is based upon that of the United Kingdom from Foundation Stage to Year 9 (ages 3 to 14). All pupils from Y1 – Y6 take UK-based National Tests in Maths and English towards the end of each academic year. These tests are purchased from the UK and marked internally.
Secondary students re externally examined at IGCSE level (age 16) and their school education culminates in A level exams (age 18). As an approved Examination Centre by AQA and CIE, all public examinations are taken by our students on the school’s premises.

Homework

Homework is an integral part of school life and should be regarded as part of the school day. It is intended to support and extend the curriculum covered during lessons.

Regular homework tasks are set from the beginning of Primary level and will continue through every year group. Homework is recorded in the Home School Book or Homework Diary – in Early Years this may be written by the teacher but further up the school students are made responsible for recording this themselves.Teachers set an appropriate amount of homework, according to the pupils’ age, ensuring continuity of expectation across the school. Secondary homework is set in accordance with the homework timetable.

Discipline
Due to our small class sizes and the high calibre of our staff, discipline is rarely a problem at BISC Wroclaw. When describing the school, visitors frequently remark on the warm family atmosphere. A list of simple but essential primary rules is clearly displayed on the wall of every classroom. Each form teacher regularly goes over these rules with their class (for example during PSHE lessons in primary), in order to maintain the qualities which BISC Wroclaw so highly values: mutual respect and harmony.

Although rarely put into effect, the school contains certain sanctions which deal with disciplinary matters. Continual lateness to lessons or failure to hand in homework will result in the pupil remaining in a designated room at break or lunchtime. During this time they will be asked to complete unfinished or extra work.

If a particular student is causing undue concern amongst staff, the parents will be informed and asked to attend a meeting with the Head of School.

Behaviour
The management of behaviour, and our attitude towards behaviour, comes from the underlying philosophy of our school. We all have a responsibility towards all the children all the time to ensure that standards of behaviour are maintained, that students are treated with respect and fairness, and that our expectations of children are consistent.

Pupil absence
All parents are requested to inform the school by telephone or letter if their child is going to be absent due to illness or for any other reason. This also applies if they are going to miss any compulsory sports activities.

School uniform
All pupils at BISC Wrocław are expected to wear a school uniform which consists of a navy blue T-shirt or sweat shirt with the BISC logo. Pupils are also expected to wear a designated PE kit for sports lessons. (White shorts and t-shirt.)
Details can be found here (click)

Morning break and lunchtime
All children from Foundation class through to Year 6 are taken to the school playground every lunchtime by the teachers on duty. Students are not allowed to leave the school premises during the day unless accompanied by a teacher or parents/guardian.
The school is served by a catering company which delivers a varied menu of hot lunches. Parents order these in advance. Some pupils bring their own packed lunches to school and microwave ovens are provided for heating food from home if required. The school has a designated dining room.

The school day
The school day runs from 8.30 a.m. to 3.25 p.m. Monday to Friday, and inlcudes seven 45-minute lessons (some of which are double periods). There is a mid-morning break of twenty minutes and a 50-minute lunch break for the whole school.

The school year
As in the United Kingdom, the school year is divided into three terms. Autumn and spring terms include half-term holidays. Polish national holidays are also observed. A calendar for the current academic year is published here (click)

Health and Safety
BISC Wroclaw has an arrangement with a local English-speaking doctor who visits the school every week. In consultation with parents, newly enrolled pupils have a medical check-up soon after starting school.
All pupils are covered by “Hestia” insurance, which provides compensation for accidents that occur during school hours. BISC Wroclaw is also a member of a private medical company which provides us with us with a paramedic service. This guarantees that any possible accidents which occur on the school premises or during a school-related trip are dealt with instantly. All parents should make sure that they are also covered by their own health insurance when in Poland.
As part of BISC policy, teaching staff undergo regular training in First Aid, Fire Safety and evacuation procedures. The school has regular health & safety inspections.