Empowering Better Futures

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Students at the British School of Houston love learning, achieve more, and are equipped

to participate successfully in an ever-evolving global community. We cultivate a passion

for lifelong learning by involving children in their own education, empowering them to

understand how they learn best in a fun, challenging environment.

Highly-trained UK teachers use an innovative, carefully crafted approach that is used

and recognized around the world. Curriculum at all levels is individually tailored to each

child, enhancing strengths and addressing areas needing improvement. As a result,

British School of Houston students have achieved exceptional results in internationally-

benchmarked exams and have been accepted at leading colleges and universities in

the US and abroad.

With a student body representing more than 45 nationalities, we create opportunities for

children to celebrate diversity, break down cultural barriers, and collaborate. An emphasis

on social responsibility and community involvement creates a lasting commitment to

stewardship. This holistic approach to education shapes young adults who are confident,

resilient leaders, ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Welcome to the British School of Houston

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Everyone connected with the British School of

Houston belongs to our learning community. Every

member of staff is focused on improving learning,

working in partnership with each other, and with

parents, to ensure the success and happiness of the

young people in our care. We never accept second

best, ensuring everyone is constantly striving to be

better so that all our students are able to fulfil their

potential. We are a learning-driven school, which

means we gauge success by the quality of student

learning, not the amount.

Our school site is a safe environment in which

individuals are able to flourish. Visitors entering a

classroom will not only see purposeful learning, but

activities that will genuinely stretch the students,

whether they are designed to acquire or improve

skills, increase knowledge or deepen understanding.

In other words, the focus is on learning. This is made

possible through the dedication, commitment and

selflessness of our staff. They are passionate about

learning and about motivating and inspiring our

young people to be successful. We prepare our

students for life in a rapidly changing world through

the development of independent enquiry, helping

them acquire the necessary skills to facilitate a

life-long love of learning.

What sets our students apart from students at other

schools, is their genuine and enthusiastic desire for

learning. The questions they ask, from Year 1 to Year

13, are about deepening, broadening and enriching

their knowledge and understanding – not just

reiterating it. As a result, they keep their teachers

challenged and stimulated, keeping their teaching

fresh and dynamic, and in the process, they stimulate

their own enjoyment of learning.

World ClassLearning School

Our teachers are simply the best! – Student comment

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At the British School of Houston, every child matters.

We provide every student with the opportunity

to strive for academic excellence within a caring

community, but we recognize that at certain times,

such as when first joining the school, students may

require additional support.

Form tutors work closely with parents and students,

monitoring the academic, personal and social

development of all our students, to ensure they feel

safe, secure and happy, and are able to focus on

their learning without distractions. This student-

centered approach ensures a positive attitude to

school, allowing the students to build on their

strengths and develop their talents. Promoting a

positive attitude toward learning dovetails with

our commitment to excellence in all areas, whether

it is academic or sporting, musical or community

work. Our academic standards are high, and all

our students are challenged to meet them.

A prerequisite for teaching at the British School of

Houston is that staff are passionate and knowledgeable

about their subject and will seek to inspire all our

students to succeed. Through a wide range of high-

quality learning experiences suited to individual

needs, every student is encouraged to develop their

skills, knowledge and understanding in a happy and

caring environment. Our curriculum is relevant and

innovative, creatively engaging students in their

work, challenging and motivating each individual

to look within themselves to discover their passion

for learning. We also expect students to work with

their teachers to develop and improve our learning

programs, which we believe enables them to gain

greater insight into the learning process.

Commitmentto Excellence

I was invited to watch a lesson. Every child was being stretched to achieve something new, something exciting, something that was outside their comfort zone.

– Parent comment

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We are aware that we live in a rapidly changing

world and that we are preparing our students for life

in a world where they may be working in jobs that

do not currently exist, employing technologies

that have not yet been invented. Our curriculum

is therefore not focused on content but on the

development of personal learning and thinking skills

that will result in young people who are flexible and

able to adapt to changing circumstances without

fear or inhibition, enabling and empowering them

to meet the demands of 21st century life.

Throughout the school, at every stage, the curriculum

is designed to meet the individual needs of our

students. We constantly evaluate and adapt our

programs to reflect this commitment.

Curriculum forthe 21st Century

The British School offers a global education in a British environment.

– Parent comment

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Through the delivery of the Early Years Program

and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), our

teachers ensure our youngest students begin their

educational journey purposefully, developing the

skills and attitudes they will need throughout a

lifetime of learning without artificial boundaries

being imposed between the different aspects of

their development. We nurture these skills through

a curriculum that balances individual subject

experience and integrated learning opportunities.

Learning is planned to be active, in the sense that

children must engage with their own learning,

sharing responsibility for that learning with their

teachers, parents and caregivers. Learning is

constructed in such a way that, by the end of the

primary years, our students have a passion for

enquiry and a thirst for knowledge. These are the

essential ingredients for academic success in the

next phase of their education.

InternationalPrimary Curriculum

The

High-quality, meaningful play is the medium for learning in the early years.

– Teacher comment

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We also recognize that children’s learning must

respond to their current and future personal needs.

Our secondary curriculum is tailored to achieve this,

but also to take advantage of our unique location.

We build upon the strengths of the IPC by utilizing

the best aspects of the new Secondary National

Curriculum, which came into operation in the UK

in September 2008. Students study a broad and

stimulating range of subjects aimed at developing

the academic and high order thinking skills that

will equip them for success in our four year senior

program. Students are encouraged to see links

between subjects and to transfer learning across

traditional subject boundaries so that they see

learning as varied, rich, interconnected and fun.

In Year 9, students are expected to talk knowledgeably

about their own learning and, through high-quality

care, guidance and support, begin the process of

co-constructing their 4 year senior program with

their teachers. They are offered a wide range of

subjects from which to choose using a ‘pathways’

approach, which enables students to focus on their

particular strengths and talents, and work at a pace

which provides the most appropriate individual

challenge. Students entering Year 10 begin their

pre-IB Diploma courses leading to GCSE/IGCSE

qualifications in the following subjects:

• English & English Literature

• Modern Foreign Languages

• Humanities subjects (from History, Geography,

Business Studies)

• Two Sciences (from Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

• Mathematics, including the option of Statistics

and AS Level Math in Y11

• Arts and Electives (from Art, Drama, Music, Design

Technology, ICT, PE, or a third Science, second

Language or Humanities subject.)

We actively encourage students to begin building

up their personal profile, for university application,

by considering education in its widest sense. We

expect them to participate in a wide range of

extra-curricular enrichment and enhancement

opportunities throughout the four year program

including Work Experience, which is an integral part

of the Year 10 curriculum. This invaluable week

offers our students the opportunity to find out

about the world of work and helps to develop their

skills and talents in preparation for their future

careers. The British School of Houston has a

reputation among companies in Houston of

providing mature, conscientious young adults to

work alongside their full time experienced members

of staff. Teacher supervision helps ensure that work

experience assists students to accept responsibility,

take initiative, develop adult relationships, participate

in decision making and acquire valuable employment

skills. On completion of the week, students receive

a report from their employer, which is an excellent

addition to their personal profile.

SecondaryNational Curriculum

The

for England

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United States Colleges & Universities• Babson College (Massachusetts)• Corcoran College of Art and Design (District of Columbia)• Emerson College (Massachusetts)• Harvard University (Massachusetts)• John Hopkins University (Maryland)• Johnson & Wales University (Rhode Island)• New England College of Communications• New York University (New York)• Oberlin College (Ohio)• Princeton University ( New Jersey)• Sam Houston State University (Texas)• Savannah College of Art and Design (Georgia)• St. Edwards University (California)• Suffolk University (Massachusetts)• Tarlatan State University (Texas)• Temple University (Pennsylvania)• Texas A&M University (Texas)• Trinity University (Texas)• University of California (California)• University of Connecticut (Connecticut) • University of Denver (Colorado)• University of Maryland (Maryland)• University of North Carolina, Charlotte (North Carolina)• University of Notre Dame (Indiana)• University of Oregon (Oregon)• University of San Diego (California)• University of Texas, Austin (Texas)• University of Utah (Utah)• University of Vermont ( Vermont)

International Colleges & Universities • Brunel University (England)• Canterbury Christchurch University (England)• Cardiff University (Wales)• Durham University (England)• Keele University (England)• King’s College London (England)• Lancaster University (England)• London School of Economics• Manchester Metropolitan University (England)• Newcastle University (England)• Nottingham Trent University (England)• Oxford Brookes University (St. Hugh’s College)• Queen Mary, University of London (England)• Royal Holloway, University of London (England)• Royal London, School of Pharmacy (England)• Sheffield Hallam University (England)• St. Andrews University (Scotland)• Swansea University (Wales)• University of College London (England)• University of Aberdeen (Scotland)• University of Bath Spa (England)• University of Birmingham (England)• University of Brighton (England)• University of Bristol (England)• University of East Anglia (England)• University of Edinburgh (Scotland)• University of Exeter (England)• University of Glasgow (Scotland)• University of Leeds (England)• University of Liverpool (England) • University of Manchester (England)• University of Oxford (England)• University of Reading (England)• University of Southampton (England)• University of Stirling (Scotland)• University of Strathclyde (Scotland)• University of Surrey (England)• University of Sussex (England)• University of the Arts of London (England)• University of Toronto (Canada)• University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (Wales)• University of West of England (England)• University of York (England)

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InternationalBaccalaureate Diploma

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Our GCSE/IGCSE program is designed to lead

seamlessly into the International Baccalaureate (IB)

Diploma. This prestigious qualification is recognized

world-wide as the pre-eminent post-16 program

providing outstanding preparation for higher

education. Our students leave us to study at leading

universities throughout the world.

Our IB offer is rich, diverse, and individually tailored

every year to meet the needs of each cohort of

students. We believe personalizing learning is

essential, and we place great emphasis on critical

thinking and the Theory of Knowledge Program.

Classes are small, and the teaching is outstanding.

Students are able to specialize in the sciences,

languages, humanities or the arts, and we make

full use of new trans-disciplinary subjects in our

curriculum in order to gain maximum flexibility in

creating our students’ individual programs. Our

Creative, Action, Service (CAS) element is high

profile, because we believe it ensures the develop-

ment of young people who are able to offer not

only outstanding levels of academic excellence, but

also that dynamic combination of knowledge, skills,

independent, critical and creative thought and

international-mindedness that are crucial for entry

into the top universities around the world.

Graduating students from The British Schools of

America have been accepted to some of the world’s

most prestigious colleges and universities. The British

School of Washington celebrated its first class of

graduating students in 2005, and the British School

of Houston in 2007. The British School of Boston will

have its first graduating class in 2010, and the British

School of Chicago will celebrate its first graduation

class in 2011. The opposite page has a selection of

just some of the fine Colleges and Universities to

which BSA students have been accepted.

The CAS Program my teachers encouraged me to put together was outstanding, and what I learned from it helped me get into my first choice university. – Student comment

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The learning environment for our students is not

confined to the classroom. We offer a wide range of

extra-curricular activities that enhance and enrich

student experience, extending to them opportunities

to develop individual interests, skills and talents.

We encourage our students to participate in

competitions, both internally and with other

schools, in fields as diverse as sport, music, maths

and public speaking.

Many trips and visits are organized as part of

the curriculum offer. These include day trips to

complete fieldwork for geography and science in

and around the Houston area, visits to zoos and

museums, and even a trip to a chocolate factory!

There are also many residential and cultural visits

to other parts of the United States, including

Washington, New York, Florida and Philadelphia,

as well as trips to a variety of locations in Texas,

including visits to a working ranch, and camping

in the Texas State Park as part of the Duke of

Edinburgh Award Scheme. This long established

program is designed to stretch the students’ abilities

to cope with difficult scenarios and develop their

commitment to community service. Students

attend camp craft and map reading lessons, and

experience expeditions where they have to hike for

up to 15 miles per day, camp for several nights,

carrying all of their equipment and cooking for

themselves. They also undertake a personal project

within the Houston local community.

We promote socially responsive programs so that

the whole school community is aware that we can

affect positive change in the lives of others and the

wider community. Students are also encouraged to

take responsibility for organizing and participating

in many charitable activities. We want our students

to have character, be well rounded, reflective,

caring young people.

Learning Beyondthe Classroom

Children have so many opportunities to test out their moral and physical boundaries.

– Parent comment

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The size of our site and range of our facilities means

we are able to offer a wide variety of sporting

activities, from football to basketball, from ‘free-

running’ to athletics. Alongside our nationally

recognized sports such as netball and soccer, we

also run less-traditional activities such as Boxercise,

Body Combat and Parkour as part of our Lunchtime

Club Program, recognizing the importance of

offering activities that are relevant and engaging for

all students, activities they are more likely to pursue

as part of an active lifestyle in later life. Dance is an

integral part of the Physical Education curriculum,

offering students the chance to link physical ability

and creative performance. We seek to offer this wide

range of sporting activities so that we cater to those

exceling at competitive sport, while promoting

healthy and active lifestyles for all from an early

age using a holistic approach.

There are opportunities for everyone to shine. – Parent comment

Athleticsand Sports

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The British School of Houston has a fast growing

reputation for excellence in performing and creative

arts. Art, Drama and Music are popular curriculum

subjects. Orchestras, groups and choirs engage in

a wide spectrum of musical performance from

a cappella singing to rock bands, from jazz to

hip-hop. Our dedicated teachers are all professional

musicians who are passionately committed to

inspiring and developing the musicians of tomorrow.

Drama and performance opportunities, both within

and beyond the curriculum, involve students in all

aspects of production, which range from classic

musicals to contemporary theater. These subjects

are critical elements throughout our curriculum,

allowing our young people the opportunity to

develop their emotional intelligence and confidence,

and providing the opportunities for creative

expression that foster and nurture individuality.

The Creative Arts Faculty is particularly strong,

offering students the opportunity to experience the

use of a wide range of media, materials, techniques

and processes. Students are given challenging

and stimulating activities designed to ensure they

fulfil their potential. Our Visual Arts and Design

Technology teachers work closely together to offer

students tremendous scope for creativity, and to

foster the development of skill, innovation and

inventiveness. The Art Faculty teaches the funda-

mentals of drawing, with students developing these

skills alongside painting, sculpture, printmaking

and 3D work. In Design and Technology, students

attempt problem solving activities which develop

their design, presentation and practical skills.

Students then ‘manufacture’ their ideas using

appropriate materials, tools and techniques as well

as learning about design principles and processes.

The benefits of learning to play a musical instrument have helped me in all my subjects by giving me self-discipline. – Student comment

Performingand Creative Arts

The

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Students at the British School of Houston have a

voice in their school community through the School

Council. Students from all year groups meet

regularly to discuss issues of importance, sharing

and acting upon the results with the school

Leadership Team and other members of our school

community.

Our students are open minded and principled. They

reflect upon issues and, after ensuring they have all

the facts, act accordingly. They are enterprising,

seeking opportunities to realize their own potential

to fulfil their dreams. Our students have won many

awards in competitions such as Young Inventors and

in Public Debating. They organize their own charity

work to aid the local community as well as our

global community, taking part, for example, in

model United Nations Conferences. Our students

have led the school’s involvement with a wide range

of charitable institutions, including the United

Methodist Church, helping disadvantaged families

in Houston, The Salvation Army and the Make-a-Wish

Foundation.

As a learning community, we believe that learning

should not be a passive experience; therefore, we

encourage action and independent thinking. We

want our students to express their own opinions,

which they do in a confident, articulate manner.

We value communication with all members of our

community and we have both a school newsletter

and a student initiated one through which our

young people are able to showcase their skills and

express their views.

Leadersof Tomorrow

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OurCommunity

Our school is not a building: it is a community of

people with a shared vision, working together to

achieve excellence in every field. We recognize the

importance of interdependence – that we cannot

operate in isolation. Therefore we have developed

close links with our sister schools within the British

Schools of America, with local schools throughout

Houston and its surrounding area, and with other

organizations such as the British American Business

Council and the Houston Mayor’s Office.

All members of the school community work together

in close collaboration. Parental contribution is

valued, and we expect our parents to take a keen

interest in their children’s education, welcoming

them into the school regularly to discuss progress.

We are committed to working closely with parents

to provide high-quality education for our students,

confident in our ability to develop in our young

people a true foundation for life-long learning,

the desire to pursue excellence, and a recognition

and appreciation of the importance of quality in

every aspect of their lives.

At the end of her first day, my daughter felt welcomed and valued. – Parent comment

We feel a valued part of our school community. – Parent comment

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The British School of Houston is a proud supporter of: American Red Cross

Citizens for Animal Protection

The Manna Project

Operation Smile

Race for the Cure

Salvation Army

Star of Hope

Texas Children’s Hospital

World Wildlife Fund

International25 Buckingham GateLondon, SW1E 6LD, United Kingdomwww.wclgroup.com

North America4211 Watonga Blvd. Houston, Texas 77092Phone: 713.290.9041www.wclgroup.com

4211 Watonga Blvd. Houston, Texas 77092Phone: 713.290.9025Fax: 713.290.9014www.britishschoolofhouston.org

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