philosophy

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To 'educate', as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is to 'bring up (young persons); to give intellectual, spiritual and moral training to'. This is our objective at the International School of Madrid: to prepare our students for the world of the 21st Century. For 30 years the school provided an excellent primary and middle school education for its students, who often write back and comment on this preparation. From September 1996 the school has continued to prepare its students with a secondary education marked by quality and individual attention, adapted to the world we live in, but with the same principles and values which have characterised it up till now.

Education obviously includes teaching, but the former word has a much wider meaning. We attempt to continue and complement the education which children have already begun in their homes, by adding to this professional direction and instruction, attention to the learning process of children, and the transmission of learning skills and techniques so that the student develops the ability to learn independently. We are preparing these children to become worthy citizens of whatever country they may live in when they grow up. We are educating them - children of different races, creeds, colours and tongues - to live together in peace and harmony, appreciating and understanding each other's different backgrounds and cultures. Our theme is not 'I teach, you learn.' No! We prefer 'We are all here together to learn from each other'. And the basis of this philosophy is respect - for classmates and companions, mutual respect between adults and pupils, respect for property, for laws, etc. Without respect there cannot be discipline, nor can there be a happy learning environment. Thus there is an important emphasis on these values at I.S.M.

In accordance with our philosophy, the education of the whole person and education for life are the principal aims around which the curriculum revolves. In order to fulfil these aims successfully, we consider at I.S.M. that good manners and an attention to social behaviour must be included among the elements which go to make up the education of the whole person. For example, as a child must learn good eating habits and correct table manners at home, so he must at school. This applies to all areas of social development. The school's philosophy is therefore to help to develop intellectual, physical, moral, spiritual and artistic qualities in each student.

One of the ways to achieve this personal development is active participation. While maintaining the basic MUSTS (correct reading, spelling, grammar, writing, tables, the 4 rules), I.S.M. encourages the children in active rather than passive learning. The carefully selected, qualified staff are there to observe, direct, stimulate, encourage and, where necessary, control and discipline. Every effort is made to stimulate the student's interest in his environment and to extract from it knowledge and understanding. In the younger classes this is done through play experience.

But experience is the key word at all levels. No amount of book learning can make up for an equal period of first-hand experience. This philosophy is implicit in the English National Curriculum, which is the foundation, and forms the guidelines and policies for all subjects taught at I.S.M. The N.C. is flexible though, and can be adapted to suit the Spanish environment and culture. Experienced British staff carry out their teaching so that there is continuity if students move on to schools in Spain, the UK or other countries. There are frequent written reports and assessment at all levels, as well as Parent-Teacher Conferences.

At I.S.M. there is an emphasis on good discipline, and students are helped to see the social and personal benefits of this, whilst at the same time teachers seek to encourage self-expression, individual ability and talent. There are few rules, these mostly made for the safety and comfort of all, but they are expected to be obeyed to the letter.

Children are encouraged to be, as far as their maturity permits, self-disciplined, since this is the aim of all, and is the only true discipline. That which is arbitrarily imposed is usually resented. There is a student government in which all pupils from Year 3 up participate, some of the older students being elected officers or representatives. Here the everyday running of the school is taken care of and criticisms and appraisals of pupils and teachers are made.

In the secondary section the Languages Department is responsible for all aspects of language learning. Its objective is to maximise the bilingual and linguistic learning of students, co-ordinating the language learning in the school and incorporating up-to-date technology for this purpose. Links with schools in the USA, France and the UK are being developed through mail, internet and educational exchanges. A Careers Guidance Service prepares, informs and guides students concerning further education, so that they can choose from the whole range of national and international options for university entrance.

The International School of Madrid endeavours to be a school with a happy, family type atmosphere. There is a small student body and this ensures that all pupils know each other, building up lasting friendships. The students at I.S.M. like to feel that they are a little United Nations. And who knows? Perhaps these grey-uniformed boys and girls will be the leaders of the future generation. At least they will have their International School of Madrid years to draw on for experience