Founded in 1958 as a co-educational school. Its main 14-acre site is in rolling countryside on the Via Cassia north of Rome, where it has excellent playing fields and other sports facilities (and is adjacent to the cathedral commemorating where St Ignatius Loyola dreamed of founding the Jesuits). There are two junior schools: one on the same site as the senior school and one in the city centre in the gracious Nomentana area. The school provides a British system of education and runs a traditional house system. Since 1996 the International Baccalaureate has replaced A-levels. Some 65 nationalities are represented, the majority having had all their education in English. It prides itself on possessing a stimulating but tolerant atmosphere. A staff:pupil ratio of about 1:10 permits plenty of individual attention. Academic standards are high and examination results very good. There is a rigorous programme of EAL (English as an Additional Language), in small sets. Music and art are particularly strong and drama is well supported. A good range of sports and games is available, plus usual extra-curricular activities. All members of the school are involved in local charity and community schemes.
Pupils: Total age range 3-18; 795 day pupils (413 boys, 382 girls). Senior department 11-18, 431 pupils. Entrance: Main entry ages 3, 5, 11, 14 and 16. Based on interviews, tests and past reports. For sixth form entry, GCSE at least grade B in subjects to be taken on to IB Higher level, grade C in those to Standard level. No special skills or religious requirements.
No scholarships. Limited bursaries available; reductions for third and fourth child at school; some discretionary awards. Extras include €1030 for lunch (mandatory), optional school transport and individual music lessons; parents not expected to buy textbooks.
20+% are in industry; 20+% in diplomatic service; 25+% in international organisations/agencies.
Principal: Martyn J Hales, appointed 2008. Previously Head of the Senior School at the school.Teaching staff: 80 full time. Annual turnover 15%. Average age 36.
GCSE: 65 in Year 11: 90% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects. IB: 51 in upper sixth: 90% gained the IB Diploma with an average of 34 IB points.
97% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course, 3% to Oxbridge. 33% take courses in science and engineering, 57% in humanities and social sciences, 10% in art and design.
GCSE, IGCSE and IB. 15 subjects offered. Special provision: Considerable EAL provision (3 full-time, 2 part-time staff). Languages: Italian (from age 7), French, Spanish and German to GCSE and IB. Also exams in many pupils' home language, eg Arabic, Russian. Over 85% take GCSE in 2 foreign languages and 33% in 3 foreign languages. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg information retrieval in science, economics, business plus emailing and word-processing used for homework. 250 computers for pupil use (8+ hours a day), all networked (in 4 small networks) and most with email and internet access.
Music: Over 40% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Musical groups include 3 orchestras, strings, wind band, 3 choirs. Students go to British music colleges; recent music tours to Vienna, Budapest. Drama and dance: Both offered; drama to GCSE. LAMDA and ESB exams may be taken. Majority of pupils are involved in school and other productions. School productions recently include Wind in the Willows, The Gondoliers, A Christmas Carol; plus workshop plays. Art and design: On average, 20 take GCSE, 9 IB. Design, pottery, textiles, photography also offered. Students regularly go on to London art schools.
Sport: Soccer, netball, hockey, basketball, tennis, swimming, cricket, rugby, aerobics, gymnastics, rounders, volleyball, athletics, cross-country compulsory. Optional: badminton, table tennis, ballet. BAGA, ASA, ESAA exams may be taken. Generally good performance in Rome International Schools Association competitions and leagues. Activities: Over 30 clubs, eg art, computer, aerobics, ecology, sport, expedition, debating, design and technology, model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Uniform: School uniform worn except in sixth form (dress code). Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. School captain, and school council (4 prefects), appointed by Principal in consultation with staff and year group. Religion: None. Social: Art exhibition with Rome international schools; sports fixtures with Rome, Milan, Trieste and Vienna schools. Activities-week for all pupils. Leadership and teamwork course for Year 12. Sixth-form pupils allowed to bring own bike, motorbike or car to school. Meals self-service. Occasional discos.
Pupils failing to produce homework might expect lunchtime detention and note in pupil-parent diary; those caught smoking cannabis on the premises might expect to be expelled.
run through the school
Paul and Mark Getty; Douglas Herbison; Frans Timmermans.
|
