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Dear Parents,I would like to introduce our schools, International English Schools. When starting The English School in 1993, it was with the conviction that commanding the English language is imperative in order for youngsters to be able to realize their full potential in the modern world. Our schools now offer the best environment for achieving this by providing an international, English speaking culture where a large part of the teaching is in English.

An important part of our success in education is that we provide a secure environment for teaching and learning. We believe in discipline, the concept of “tough love” and we have high expectations for everyone. Every member of our team is committed to placing high quality education first. A school which experiences constant progress in learning, in an environment free of fear of bullying and violence, becomes a place filled with joy and good vibrations. Using a system of continuous assessment we ensure that we always know how each child is progressing and can avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of the school year. We provide formal feedback to students and

Ms Barbara Bergström. Founder and Chairman of the Board

Let’s Talk to the World

parents at least four times per school year via conferences and end-of-term reports. Naturally, we also have a range of support mechanisms to help every student, covering both academic and social issues. Of course, there is nothing like seeing our schools in action. We welcome you to come and see how we work.

Yours Sincerely,Ms Barbara Bergström

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We prepare students for success in a safe environment where teachers can teach and students learn.

Let’s Talk to the World

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How We Work

Internationella Engelska SkolanInternationella Engelska Skolan (IES) is one of Sweden’s leading independent schools, friskolor. Our first school opened in 1993 in Stockholm.

Today we have a total of 14 schools:

• Junior Schools (grades 4 - 5) in Enskede and Gävle.

• Lower Secondary Schools (grades 6 - 9) in Bromma, Enskede, Eskilstuna, Gävle, Järfälla, Jönköping, Karlstad, Linköping, Täby, Örebro and Sundsvall.

• Upper Secondary School on Södermalm in Stockholm.

Our schools are approved by The Swedish Schools Inspectorate, Skolinspektionen. There are no fees to attend our schools in Sweden.

Aims & Objectives The focus of our schools is for young people to command the English language in a safe and orderly environment. Our mission is to achieve high academic standards and foster the development of successful personal skills: openness and curiosity, focus and reliability, integrity, respect and consideration, manners and self-discipline.

Profile & Curriculum IES follows the Swedish national curriculum. We provide a highly focused and disciplined learning environment where each student can fulfill his or her potential. Our schools teach students to use English fluently and effectively in reading, writing and speaking. We recruit and employ native English speak-ing teachers and offer up to 50% of our teaching in English.

CommunicationWe maintain close contact with and open communication between the school and home. The best results are achieved when an effective partnership between the family and the school is forged. Students are continually assessed and we provide both students and parents with a careful review of academic performance. We provide grade-like assessments from years 4 to 7 and assign grades in years 8 and 9. We also contact parents at least once every 14 days in order to provide maximum feedback on student progress.

Our Educational Ethos

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How We Work

The three main pillars of our ethos define our approach to education. Students in our schools:

Learn to Command the English Language, the keyto the world.

Enjoy a Safe and Calm Learning Environment where teachers can teach and students can learn.

Our Educational Ethos

Reach their full potential in a school withHigh Academic Expectations.The IES ethos is based on six main components that characterize our organization and set us apart from other Swedish schools.

Performance-Based Learning - regular and varied assessments help students, parents and teachers monitor student progress.

Tough Love - character development, self-discipline, manners, respect and responsibility are taught by the school leadership and the teachers who are role models for our young people.

Bilingualism - Commanding the English language in tandem with the development of Swedish.

Support for every child to reach his or hers potential - including the highly gifted. We strive to ensure that every child receives the support and encouragement needed to develop and grow both academically and socially.

Professional Teacher Commitment - we actively recruit teachers who are dedicated professionals.

Internationalism - the teaching staff and student body come from all corners of the world thus making our schools international in outlook and approach.

97%of IES students answered ‘Yes’ they feel safe in the school without

having to worry about different forms of personal violence or bullying.

(Anonymous student questionnaire, 2009)

96%of parents to IES students answered ‘Yes’ they would recommend the

school to another parent.(Anonymous parent questionnaire, 2009)

97%of IES teachers said ‘Yes’ they can normally start and conduct their

lessons without any significant disturbance. (Anonymous staff questionnaire, 2009)

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Academic Excellence

Academic & Social SupportAcademic progress is dependent upon social stability and growth. Each school has an Academic Manager, overseeing and ensuring the academic success of our students. A proactive, visible Student Care Team secures the social well being of our student body.

One Step AheadThe Academic Notice System and our Academic Surgery, an extra support lesson, are built on a process of early identification of specific academic challenges. Academic Notices together with Surgeries ensure that students are stimulated and supported as needed. Another cornerstone in our approach is our partnership with the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). IES integrates IGCSE, the world’s most respected international qualification for schools, into our curriculum in order to best prepare students for study in an increasingly competitive, international environment. The IGCSE program develops successful students, giving them excellent preparation for their next steps in education. IGCSE is recognized by universities and employers worldwide.

The Impact of a Quality School

Beyond the ClassroomAcademic progress and character development are encouraged through a number of initiatives such as the IES Verbal Judo program, teaching students the arts of respect and communication. Camp Confidence provides students with an opportunity to further develop self-confidence and well-being in a group setting. IES also runs Study Smart, an academic boost program designed to quip our students with the skills necessary to effectively handle assessment and grading as well as testing and evaluation.

Annual award ceremony for the Dr. Hans Bergström essay competition

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Academic Excellence The Impact of a Quality School

Internationella Engelska Skolan has played a significant role in changing the face of Swedish education with a clear focus on quality teaching and learning. Our schools regularly win awards, are at the top of the academic results tables and have long student waiting lists. IES is funded entirely by the Swedish state’s national voucher system and our schools are open to all.

IES has a proven track record in academic results and we help our students join a global, international community. Our school results show that IES students regularly perform far above the national average for Swedish schools (see diagram). That holds true not only for English, but also for subjects like Swedish and Math.

Percentage of students achieving top grades (VG or MVG) on the National Tests (latest available statistics, from spring of 2008).

MathsSwedishEnglish

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

0

97

61

75

56

36

60

IESAverage

NationalAverage

We accept applications from students registered as living in Sweden and follow the rule of “first come, first served” in the admission process. We are subject to periodic review by the Swedish Schools Inspectorate, Skolinspektionen. We also have our own quality control system. Maintaining the highest level of education is a total commitment to our students and parents. Quality in education is a precondition for making IES the school of choice.

We can only give praise! Both our twochildren are happy and comfortable– with their teachers, other students

and the school itself.

We are very satisfied and very happy that our daughter goes to such a pleasant and positive

school.

Four good years for my child! Hard work – but always with positive, high-

quality teachers.IES Parents

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What makes our school different is that you hear English spoken all around and this helps improve our

understanding.

I have learned more this year than in two years at my previous

school.

In this school there is no bullying. I feel that one can feel safe and learn

better English.IES Students

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Teachers Make the Difference

International RecruitmentWe recruit motivated, well-qualified teachers who are passionate about their subjects. Each year we interview houndreds of quality applicants from Sweden and abroad and select only the best. Roughly 40% of the professionals we recruit are native English speakers – this is vital in creating an environment in which students learn to command the English language. Native English speaking teachers combined with a diverse student population creates a stimulating international atmosphere.

IES Teacher AcademyIES teachers as well as administrative and managerial personnel are at the top of their class. Our team is supported and inspired through the enrichment

programs offered via our Teaching Academy. The Academy is an internal talent development unit. We lift the quality of teaching and develop our staff via the “Star to Star” project implementing demonstration teaching and mentorship programs with the help of our star teachers. These programs are inspired by the findings of the McKinsey report that focuses on three key success factors contributing to excellence in education:(1) good and clear leadership,(2) recruitment of excellent teachers and(3) a system for constant improvement in teaching.Teaching in a bilingual setting, grading and assessment, tough love and classroom management, Internal Manager Trainee Program, IT Driver’s License, Swedish Language Support and Teacher Accreditation are focal points for the Academy.

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Teachers Make the Difference

Commanding English - the key to the world 11

International English Schools in Sweden

12www.engelska.se

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