Recognise International Academy

Recognise International Academy, established in 2009, is an international school in Shekou, Shenzhen, China. RIA believes that a higher quality educational experience can be achieved by keeping a school community small. We believe that a small-scale approach facilitates higher academic standards, improved personal development and that the special talents of each of our students can be more fully discovered and nurtured. Through keeping class sizes of ten, and through limiting the school’s total enrolment, we assert that teachers, staff and parents can more effectively work together to meet the unique needs of every child.

RIA has a genuine international environment with over 30 nationalities represented within our total enrolment. Our core curriculum is derived from the National Curriculum of England and we adapt aspects of this to suit our international setting. Our students range in age from 5 – 16 years old (Years 1-11). We have a proven track record of making outstanding progress with the children in our care. We believe that our school values enhance personal well-being and encourage great enthusiasm for learning and for life.

RIA is proud to be a small-scale, international school. We feel that there are great benefits from our approach to education. Over our 14+ years since foundation, we have developed a wonderful international community of supporters and families who hold RIA dear to their hearts. Increasingly, academic research is also now starting to sing the about the many advantages of small schools.

Being a small school changes many things for students, teachers and parents.  It changes the nature of the relationships that are built, the ways in which teachers can work and the ways in which students can learn.

For students,  the small class environment leaves them nowhere to hide, so there is no cruising and no getting left behind. Each student will be actively involved with every lesson and will be receiving direct encouragement and instruction from their teachers.  Any academic issues and talents are quickly spotted and acted upon. Issues of emotional well-being or attitude can also be tackled as the teacher has the time to talk to the child and parents and to consider the problem ‘in the round’.   The teacher knows each child’s academic strengths and weaknesses very well and work will be tailored for them at an appropriate level of challenge.  This keeps the child stimulated and excited about lessons and in turn, helps with the rate of progress.

In the course of the day, each student is many times receiving immediate feedback about their work and they will have their teacher sitting with them to give guidance. Grades in books – so often demotivating – and pithy teacher comments that are received a week after the work has been completed are not part of our assessment landscape. Instead, teachers at Recognise are able to closely observe each child’s working levels, pinpoint areas for development and have an ongoing dialogue with the child about their progress.

Hands-on activities – a great way to learn – are much more manageable with a small class and so lots more of these can be incorporated into lessons.  If a student has a particular learning issue or style, this too will be known to the teacher and accommodations can be made.

At Recognise, our students readily mix with all the others in the school no matter what their age or background. This breeds confidence and maturity as well as a sense of responsibility for others.  Students learn to get along with whoever is in their class and they are encouraged to communicate openly with adults and fellow students alike. We think that the opportunity to daily mix with a range of ages, nationalities, viewpoints and personalities is great training for life.

There is no bullying, no cliques and none of those classroom behaviour or teacher control issues at Recognize.  These issues blight so many a classroom, teacher and school.  If a student has a problem, then there is the time and opportunity to talk this through and find a solution. The children at Recognise feel valued as individuals and this makes a great difference to their attitude towards study, towards school and towards each other.