INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS Puxi ~ Shanghai, China

Admissions Policy

The British International School of Shanghai in Puxi is an independent co-educational day school for children aged 2-18. In keeping with our ethos as a multicultural, inclusive and caring community, we are proud to welcome students of all nationalities, races and creeds. A non-selective school, we seek always to promote equal opportunity, applying our regulations on admissions fairly and without prejudice. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Admissions Procedures.

The British education system operates on the premise that students thrive best in their correct class age groups. Differentiated teaching caters for differences in needs and abilities; the most able children are challenged, while children needing support or more time are cared for and encouraged to fulfil their potential. At BISS, we believe that it is important for children to be with peers at a similar stage in social maturity, and experience tells us that changes made early on may have negative consequences later. For these reasons, we adhere to the policy of keeping children within their correct age band except in the following circumstances:

If the child’s birthday falls within a month either side of 1st September. In cases such as these, if parents feel that their child would benefit from being placed out of age, the school will assess the child, talk to the child’s parents and, where possible, to former teachers to ascertain the best position. In general it is much more advantageous for a child to be older rather than younger in a class.

If a student in Y10 or upwards and working in a second language does not have a level of English high enough to follow successfully the I/GCSE or IB programmes at BISS. Provided there is evidence of academic ability and the student has a reasonable basic level of English, the school will consider options which would allow the student time to focus on English skills and then join the appropriate programme.

At BISS we recognise our isolation from the support services usually available in the United Kingdom, and we counsel parents against placing their child in the school if we do not feel we can offer the appropriate provision for that child. This policy encompasses special emotional, social, academic, physical and behavioural needs. It is important that parents discuss any special needs their child may have with the Principal or the appropriate Head of School.

Class Organisation

In our school the maximum class size in the Primary School is 20 pupils, and in the Secondary School the maximum Form size is 22, although the average class size is always well under 20. It is possible that for very brief, limited periods, these class sizes may be exceeded as new children join a group during a school term. In managing the composition of classes within a year group, our policy at BISS is to achieve as close a balance as possible, considering the following factors: language experience, nationality, ability and gender. If it is felt it will be beneficial to the year group as a whole, existing class groups may be re-organised at the start of the academic year to ensure an appropriate balance. The children are given many opportunities to work and socialise with all of their peers across the year group, and this is especially encouraged by the House system. As we often have a significant new intake of children throughout the year at BISS, Puxi we reserve the right, in extreme circumstances, to re-organize classes to maintain the appropriate balance. Parents may express a preference for a particular class or teacher, although it must be understood that the final decision has to remain with the appropriate Head of School. In all issues of child placement the Principal’s decision is final.

English Entry Requirements

The English level required is dependent on the age of the child and the course to which entry is sought. Please consult the Admissions Officer and the School’s EAL Policy for further details.

SEN Regulations

Our school has a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy based on provision available. The acceptance of students with learning needs will only be confirmed by the appropriate Head of School after discussion with parents. It is important that parents share all of the information regarding their child’s learning needs, including any professional assessments, upon application. Failure to do so might risk the loss of the place once the child has joined BISS if we discover that we are not equipped to best assist and support the child’s development.