The Brussels International Catholic School (BICS) is an independent co-educational day school with Pre- Primary, Primary and Secondary departments. We offer a bi-lingual curriculum (English/French) in the Pre- Primary and Primary departments which follows the curriculum of the Cambridge Primary Programme (CPP) and the Belgian accredited programme. The Secondary department retains a bi-lingual aspect, but is more focused on English, as the curriculum followed leads to the Cambridge International exams. We are able to look after the needs of every individual child. The school stands for academic excellence, but the underlying ethos of the school is that happy children achieve more. Bics offers a broad curriculum and children are always encouraged to try their best and to strive for excellence in everything they do.
The school places the child at the centre of all our efforts; it is important that the learning experience is both sufficiently structured and enjoyable so that our pupils are motivated to achieve their best. We work with families to ensure that the boys and girls have high academic expectations, are successful in public examinations and discover intellectual interests that will stay with them for life. The consistent examination success of our children bears witness to our educational methods.
Our school numbers more than 600 children, and we are a truly international community counting over forty nationalities. As a Catholic school we believe that our Christian faith adds an important aspect to our educational vision, enabling us to respect every individual as created in the image of God; nevertheless we gladly accept a number of students of other cultures and traditions. We support them and their families as they make their journey of faith alongside us. BICS is a bi-lingual school. No one can doubt that the possession of several languages is a great advantage, giving a head start for the future. Based in the capital of Europe, our school has opted for English and French. All of our teachers are qualified native English and French speakers.
In the Primary department the approach is the following: firstly a choice is made regarding the language in which a child will learn to read and write. Normally this will be French, given that this language is phonetic, and its interior logic helps to structure the child’s mind. During the first year of Primary school, the child will therefore continue to learn English orally.
A child who has followed our Primary school curriculum will be fully fluent by the end of his sixth year and should have a working knowledge after only one year. Specialist teachers in English (EFL) and French (FLE) offer necessary support to those children arriving without French or English. In the Secondary school we have slightly different approach. This department is more English based. The school is an accredited Cambridge University Examinations test centre, and as such offers the Cambridge International GCSE and A level curriculum. These qualifications are recognised internationally offering access to Higher Education in Belgium and throughout the world.
We are often asked how this works out in practice. In the Pre-primary department the week is divided between two teachers, one English-speaking and the other French-speaking. At this level, communication and learning are mainly oral, and the children naturally come to associate the teacher with the language spoken. The week is divided into two parts, English on Mondays and Tuesdays, French on Thursdays and Fridays, with Wednesdays divided into both. In this way, the child benefits from a full immersion into both languages. In the Primary department, students are taught in English and French on alternate days. This enables a 50-50% immersion in both languages.
The curriculum followed in the Primary department is based upon a Belgian programme for the French speaking part and the Cambridge Primary Programme the English speaking part. At the end of their six years of Primary school, pupils can take the Belgian ‘Examen Cantonal’, which is exterior to the school and obtains a diploma giving access to all Belgian and European Secondary schools (CEB – Certificat d’Etude de Base). Children who follow our curriculum have no difficulty integrating into other English-speaking, French and international schools. We understand the importance of this, as parents may, for professional reasons, need to move after three or four years.
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Primary school is quite good, however, the secondary school is horrible. The Latin teacher (who also teaches french) believes that Latin is the most important part of human life. She makes fun of children and she victimizes them. The administration is not reacting properly. The most important part of the curriculum of this school is not to teach children the relevant things, but to make them pass exams in year 11 (starting in year 8 children are only learning how to pass specific Cambridge exams). Children are not allowed to talk to each other during lunch. Very strict rules. Teachers are advised not to do any funny stuff during lessons. Very sad school.
By Parent of a child (Mar, 2020) |