English

English is the language of instruction and communication at BISL.

Progress in English is assessed and tracked each year and students are prepared for IGCSE and A Level examinations, which are in English.

All students in Year 11 sit for IGCSE examinations in English as a first language and English literature. For those students whose level of English is not sufficient for success in IGCSE English as a first language, they will be entered for IGCSE English as a second language.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support

Being an international school with students arriving from all over the world, non-native students may be advised to take part in our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme to boost their English language development, supporting them in gaining full access to the curriculum. Our EAL programme operates across all Key Stages and at different levels to cater for a student's individual needs and requirements.

Slovene

All students at BISL take Slovene lessons. There are two sets in each year group: Advanced and Foundation.

The curriculum for the Advanced set, for fluent or native speakers of Slovene, is approved by the Slovenian Institute for Education and covers topics and texts broadly in line with Slovenia’s state education system.

The Foundation set learn Slovene as an additional language, from beginner to intermediate level.

French and other foreign languages

French is offered from Year 3 upwards at BISL. All students in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11) and Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13) are offered French as a language option at IGCSE and A Level.

Native speakers of other languages may be entered for IGCSE or A-Level examinations in those languages, but students will be required to cover the syllabus for these individual languages independently or through the use of a private tutor. Teaching provision for these individual languages is not covered within our usual curriculum timetable.

We aim for our students to develop into healthy, confident and independent individuals who understand their rights and responsibilities as members of a wide and diverse society. Whilst this is reinforced within the academic curriculum, much of it is covered as part of the school’s personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme.

As an integral part of the Early Years framework, PSHE is delivered through topics, group activities, visits, and free-play. The children are encouraged to develop skills and confidence to act independently and within a group setting. They wash their hands and brush their teeth at appropriate times of the day, change their footwear and clothing independently, arrange their snack bags and water bottles and are encouraged to use tools, such as cutlery, scissors or pens, correctly.

In Primary school, PSHE topics are addressed in class circle-times, as well as through lessons and topics, activities, assemblies, trips and visits, and through community work around the school. All students are encouraged to play a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community through involvement in caring for the community (C4C) activities, fundraising events, the Student Council, and taking part in various community events outside of school.

In addition to discussions and presentations in form time and assemblies, Secondary students have citizenship sessions each week, covering current affairs and ethics, providing a forum for discussion and debate on current issues of major international and national significance, encouraging students to be aware of the issues in the world around them and to formulate their own opinions.

Students in the examination years from Year 10 through 13, are given additional support in studying effectively and independently through our study skills programme. These enable them to further develop their organisational skills, effective revision and exam techniques, cope with assessments in general and enhance their academic writing skills.

Sixth Form students also have time for private study. This self-directed time enables them to undertake research, prepare for upcoming classes or complete assignments. Developing successful study habits builds an important bridge between school and university, in terms of social as well as academic development.

Students are encouraged to be proactive in the process of planning their future education and career paths and to base their decisions on a holistic consideration of their abilities, career aspirations and specific university requirements.

The Head of Sixth Form leads our guidance services for students in Years 12 and 13, where weekly sessions and one-to-one counselling include careers advice and course guidance, as well as developing skills such as writing university applications, CVs and interview techniques. When possible, our students also participate in university and career fairs.

BISL graduates have successfully joined excellent universities and higher education institutions around Europe, including the UK and Slovenia, the United States, the Middle East and South-East Asia.

We offer and encourage students to take on a variety of leadership roles within our school community, from ‘Helpers of the Day’ in Early Years to Sixth Form volunteers helping plan and run adventure trips. Many become members of the Student Council and/or take part in community service activities within or outside school.

Our older students are encouraged to participate in the International Award for Young People - known in Slovenia as MEPI and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the UK.

Student Council

The Student Council is a team of elected class representatives from the student body, who work in partnership with teachers and parents to carry out activities for the benefit of our whole school community. The Council presents students’ views to appropriate members of the school community, such as the School Management Team or the PTA, and give regular feedback to the student body on progress towards specific actions and goals.

Caring for the Community (C4C)

C4C activities include both Primary and Secondary students and focus on building a supportive school community based on caring relationships and positive links between school, students, parents, teachers and the wider community. C4C promotes a positive social, emotional and academic environment where students take responsibility for their own learning and behaviour, develop self-motivation and caring for the wider community, and learn the values of caring and respecting each other. C4C charity and social events are organized throughout the year, in which the whole school community is able to participate.