The British Preparatory School System
Key features of the outstanding British Preparatory School system are replicated at HIKSVS International School. These include:
- An emphasis on individuality and personality
- An emphasis on self-respect and respect for others
- An emphasis on accepting responsibility and serving others
- The ‘community within a community’ of the House system
- An emphasis on manners, politeness, punctuality and a clearly set out dress code
The Sutton Valence ‘Four Journeys’
HIKSVS International School is a unique collaboration between Hopeland International Kindergarten (HIK) and Sutton Valence School (SVS) in the UK. It is the very first stand-alone primary school, licensed by a UK independent preparatory school, in China. The Sutton Valence School Educational Ethos is expressed as the ‘Four Journeys’ undertaken by every pupil, woven into the timetable and the curriculum throughout every year group.
THE JOURNEY AS PART OF THE WIDER COMMUNITY
- A genuine community, ‘a family’, where ‘each cares for all and individuality is cherished’; where pupils take responsibility for one another as well as themselves
- The House system and extensive inter-House competition is a key feature; the four Houses named after castles in Kent, England
- A wide range of community events, engagement of staff and parents
THE ACADEMIC JOURNEY
- Academic challenge and support (including small group and individual help when required)
- A rich, stimulating and ‘warm’ classroom learning environment
THE JOURNEY OF ENRICHMENT
- A wide range of stimulating clubs and activities
- Outdoor learning through highly varied areas - wildlife area, garden, outdoor fort, green spaces, playground play zones and games
THE JOURNEY OF LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
- School Captains, School Prefects, Team Captains, and other roles of responsibility
- Every child will be a member of and lead activities within four day Houses, providing inter-House competitions requiring hard work, teamwork, leadership, and above all the taking of initiative, which is itself rewarded in the House system.
HIKSVS International School seeks to combine the very best of the Socratic and Confucian traditions in education through following and promoting the UNESCO ‘Four Pillars of Learning’, expressed through the SVS ‘Four Journeys’. The UNESCO four pillars of learning are fundamental principles for reshaping education – the core aim of the Chinese government in setting out to create a ‘Learning Society’ in China and opening Chinese education to Socratic principles and to global cultural understanding.
Curriculum
The curriculum in HIKSVS International School involves Chinese, Maths, English, Art, Music, Drama, Dance, PE, Health, Humanity, Science, ICT, Design and Technology, etc.
Imaginative teaching and learning methodology
HIKSVS International School is committed to following the outstanding and highly imaginative teaching and active and experimental learning methodology of Sutton Valence Preparatory School, and to the continuous development and enhancement of teaching and learning methodology, with individual professional development for teachers an exceptionally strong focus.
- The significant use of the natural world, through nature walks, environmental awareness, etc.
- Strong cultural experiences such as involvement in music (especially choirs, but also learning instruments), plays, and dance
- ‘Real-life’ learning – solving real problems through a multi-disciplinary approach, engaging with the real world outside school
- Museum, theatre, exhibitions, business and other cultural venue or event visits
- International experiences, whether pupils speaking about their country and culture, Model United Nations debates, or visits abroad
- School and community events.
- ‘Themed’ days and experiences, including celebration of festivals and customs, dress and cuisine
2. Integrated curriculum content
Curriculum content is designed to effect integration between International and Chinese pupils.
3. Other activities
In addition to the regular lessons each week, one-off activities, themed days, site visits, field days, ‘real life learning’, sports teams, choir and music ensembles, combined school teams in many disciplines, visiting speakers, competitions and internet links, and especially the inter-House competition, provide very many further opportunities for pupils to integrate and practice their language skills in the context of learning activities.
Faculty
HIKSVS International School boasts a top team of international and Chinese teachers as well as a first class administrative board. The faculty feature State Teacher Qualification Certificates or International Teacher Certification, with rich teaching experience and multi-cultural backgrounds.
The international faculty team is introduced by Sutton Valence School, which is one of England’s leading schools, and currently in the top 2% of all independent schools in the UK for adding the most academic value to pupils’ attainment. We adopt the same and improved pattern of school operation and grading criteria as SVS to achieve an equally high academic level and teaching quality.
The Chinese faculty team consists of senior teachers from elite preparatory schools in Tianjin, aiming to broaden children’s horizons through providing a premium international basic education based upon rich teaching experience in compulsory education, innovative teaching methods and advanced education philosophy.
Facilities
The campus is equipped with advanced facilities, with high specification classrooms for teaching, art, calligraphy, scientific experiments, nature, computer science, vocal music, instrumental music, music rehearsals, dancing, gymnastics and drama as well as public areas such as the library and Learning Resource Centre, cafeteria, lobby, waiting area and reception rooms.
With full wireless coverage across the campus, the demand for high-quality education of students can be satisfied along with the classrooms equipped with first-rate electronic devices, such as computers, projectors, and interactive whiteboards.
As we always place the establishment of a healthy academic and living environment as the top priority, a central ventilation system and imported water purification equipment are installed, as well as furniture from internationally-renowned brands conforming to high standards of environment protection.
The campus design extends the tradition of the British campus style so that visitors will enjoy a wonderful combination of both dynamic sports and outdoor entertainment areas, a beautiful landscaped avenue, garden corners for reading, a national flag square and a sports field and pitches for cricket, hockey, rugby, tennis, football, basketball and many other activities; and static floral scenery of great diversity of plant species, which makes the campus tranquil and evergreen.
Services
Dining
We supply two meals and snacks per day. With safe, green organically-farmed and non-polluted ingredients delivered by our self-owned HIK Organic Farm, the school kitchen serves nutritious and delicious Chinese and Western cuisine, made with care.
Medical care
Our professional medical care personnel are responsible for a morning inspection and patrol inspections on a daily basis, daily care, disease prevention and first aid services as well as advising on balanced nutrition for students. In addition, a health guide will be provided to parents and a growth and welfare record for every child established.