BIS Salwa Section was opened in September 2007 on Salwa Garden Village compound offering primary education for the families of BAE and MOD personnel.
VALUES
The aims of Salwa Section are those of the British International School (BIS). They provide the basis for the development of pupils and the continuous improvement of our school.
They are underpinned by traditional values and enable our children to become:
Successful learners who enjoy their efforts and achievements;
Confident individuals who lead safe and healthy lives;
Responsible citizens who understand how to accept responsibility and make a positive contribution to the people and situations around them.
The mission of the school is to improve standards of teaching, learning and citizenship within a safe and secure environment.
PUPILS, AGE-RANGE AND CURRICULUM
Pupils are aged 3 (Foundation Stage 1) to aged 10 (Year 5). The curriculum follows the English Foundation Stage and the English National Curriculum as adopted by BIS.
On completing Year 5, pupils transfer to BIS main site to follow their Year 6 programme of study, to take their end of Key Stage 2 assessments and to subsequently continue their secondary education.
The Salwa school building is set up to accommodate approximately 144 pupils in six classes of up to 24 pupils in each, depending on age.
There is also nursery provision for up to 20 children.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
The leadership and management of Salwa Section is discharged through the Board of Governors and Principal of BIS. Jean McGibbon, as Head of Salwa Section, has leadership and management responsibility for Salwa Section and is based at Salwa. She is supported by Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 leader, Judith Thompson and Key Stage 2 leader, Martyn Pegg, specialist teachers, class teachers and a team of dedicated teaching assistants and administration staff.
Jean McGibbon, is an experienced primary practitioner. Before arriving in Saudi Arabia in January 2010, she was Head of a primary school on the Wirral. She has previously worked abroad, where she was a Deputy Head of a large British International School in El Salvador, Central Amercia.
RESOURCES
Resources at Salwa Section are of the highest specification and quality. These include leading edge IT which helps both pupils and teachers in meeting learning needs.
Interactive whiteboard technology is installed throughout the classes and each child in Years 4 and 5 has a personal wireless laptop. This modern technology sits alongside more conventional resources.
With high levels of resourcing, teachers and their assistants utilise personalised learning programmes for pupils within their lesson planning,
These programmes help refine teaching and learning so as to meet the individual needs of different pupils more
precisely. The children are taught to actively participate in their learning so as to make them more independent.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Learning Support is identified and is provided for those pupils who exhibit learning difficulties in
particular areas, whereas they will continue to be challenged and extended in those aspects in which they achieve well.
Learning Support is also provided for the more able in order to develop their thinking and organisational skills.
Salwa Section has its own Learning Support team who provide support across the school in terms of individual and group work.
SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
Specialist rooms and facilities for PE, music, information and communication technology, science, art, design & technology, food technology and multimedia presentation are equipped to the highest specification.
Specialist teachers in PE and swimming, languages and music supplement the excellent teaching at Salwa Section.
A specialist science room enables experiments and cooking to take place.
BIS MAIN SITE
Transport to BIS main site is regularly provided for activity days so that children can join their peers at BIS.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Salwa Section offers a range of extra-curricular activities for KS2 children such as: rounders, drawing club, woodwork, cookery, board & table top games, arts & crafts club, cycle/road safety course and ICT club.
There is also an opportunity for children to participate in extra-curricular activities held at BIS main site and transportation is provided.
CHARITY COMMITTEE
The children in Key Stage 2 have formed their own Charity Committee. They have the remit to decide which charities to support and what fund raising events to hold.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Salwa Section has its own School Council made up of elected representatives from each Year group across the school.
COMMUNITY LINKS
The school works closely with the Salwa Garden Village compound management to develop community links. The school can access the swimming pools and extensive sports facilities on the compound.
If you require any further information, please contact Sarah Conant at Salwa Section on 445 9300 x 4474.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE FOR SALWA SECTION
ADMISSIONS
Admission to Salwa Section is dependent upon:
the completion of admission forms (see Forms below)
an assessment of the child at the school (see Assessment below)
Parents seeking admission to Salwa Section mid-year should contact the school at the earliest opportunity to discuss the availability of places and entry requirements before travelling to KSA.
Admissions to Salwa Section for the next academic year open on 1st March with assessments for entry taking place in June.
Children must be resident in KSA for an assessment to be undertaken.
FEE STRUCTURE
To be advised
FORMS
The submission of the Admission Form begins the admissions process to Salwa Section.
Parents must complete all forms and disclose any learning disabilities. Specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, emotional and behavioural issues must be revealed.
The Medical Report must be completed before entry into the school.
Ministry forms for non-British Muslims must be completed before entry into the school.
The latest school reports must, wherever possible, be submitted before entry into school.
The Internet Permission Form must be signed.
With the exception of Foundation 1, all children must demonstrate a level of competency in English and Maths (via testing and school reports) which allows them to fully access the curriculum in age appropriate year groups.
The cost of assessment is SAR 500 per child payable on the day of assessment.
The English system for placing pupils is used i.e. age appropriate birthday between 1st September and 31st August. Children will be assessed for their age appropriate year group.
Competency in English for non-native speakers will also be a requirement.
ASSESSMENT FOR FOUNDATION 1
Children seeking entry into Foundation 1 will be asked to spend a morning in the Foundation 1 class. During that visit, an assessment will take place to determine their suitability for entry. All children must be toilet trained.
A small number of children who do not meet the required level of competency in spoken English may be offered places. For these children, there will be no automatic progression to Foundation 2.
Progress will be reviewed in Term 2 and a final decision made in Term 3. It is unlikely this option will be offered to children wishing to join Foundation 1 in Term 2 or Term 3; such places will be offered subject to agreement between the parents and Head of Salwa Section.
SPECIAL NEEDS
It is essential that Salwa Section is able to meet the educational needs of the children seeking admission. The school is able to offer places to children whose needs can be met by our Learning Support Department however support is limited.
Salwa Section reserves the right to refuse a place to any passport holder if it is felt, following assessment, that the child will be unable to access the curriculum fully and/or the school is unable to make adequate provision for the specific needs of the child.
Salwa Section will expect parents to provide copies of any relevant reports from outside referral agencies that may help inform the decision to offer a place. The school reserves the right to request reports from such agencies before a place can be discussed.
Access and availability to support/specialist agencies and services in KSA is restricted and could affect the school's ability to meet the needs of the child. Parents are advised to contact Salwa Section before making the decision to travel to KSA if their child is currently receiving support for special education needs.
SIBLINGS
Whilst no guarantee can be made, Salwa Section will endeavour to place siblings of either existing or new pupil, subject to the satisfactory completion of assessment for entry and availability of places in the appropriate year groups.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
If the school is concerned as to whether a child is fully able to access the curriculum, a probationary period may be offered, subject to the approval of the Head of Salwa Section. This is usually for one term but the probationary period may be extended into a second term when a final decision will be made.
CONTACT DETAILS
Salwa Section can be contacted on 445 9300 x 4474 or via email on salwa@britishschoolriyadh.com
If you have any queries or wish to make an appointment to visit the school, please contact us.
