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Did you know that research shows education impacts a person's future income? It is not just the potential of becoming a high-income earner. A child must also learn the correct values and mindset to become a responsible global citizen. Importantly, this includes the process of developing soft skills such as teamwork and resilience. Parents often want their children to attend the best international school possible so that they can have a wholesome childhood with nurturing teachers to guide them. That is why choosing a reputable international school is essential.
Why choose an international school?
Firstly, the numerous international schools in Malaysia give parents an advantage in finding the best fit for their children. Many turn to the world wide web or personally visit schools to understand more about a particular international school in Malaysia. Ultimately, the best international schools out there provide students with holistic development and a global network.
Secondly, it is undeniable that the best international schools in Malaysia provide limitless opportunities and resources with their well-equipped campus facilities. In addition, they expose students to multiple learning possibilities and cultural exposure through their international student population.
However, choosing a good international school can be daunting. A family should consider multiple factors before deciding on the best school for their child. Here are seven critical factors to consider:
1) Does the international school have a rich history?
Parents need to match their values and philosophy with that of the school. Then, it will allow their child to settle into the school quickly.
As well as local cultures and heritage, students need to continue learning about their heritage and culture, even if they are studying abroad.
What to look out for at the international school?
One should look at the mission and vision of the international school. It is always advisable to visit the school at least once and meet faculty members and school leaders to understand the school better. This is the best opportunity to ensure that the school is the correct 'fit'. Most reputable schools will also be willing to offer an online meeting with a senior teacher.
A British international school such as Repton International School is a prime example of a school with a rich history and strong values. It draws on the heritage of its UK origins to create an environment aligning its Repton standards and traditions with the dynamic culture of Malaysia. When considering various international schools, be sure to look at their history, values, and mission to understand if they have an overall sense of purpose.
2) Does the international school have adequate facilities?
When choosing an international school, parents should consider the facilities as this will affect their overall learning. An inadequate campus infrastructure impacts the student's mental and physical development. Parents will be able to find out more through visiting the school website or through undertaking a tour of the school.
What to look out for at the international school?
Proper facilities create an environment conducive to learning. School facilities affect the students' health, behaviour, engagement, learning, and growth. So parents should look for school facilities that are varied and secure enough to allow their child to experience different activities.
For example, the classrooms should be spacious, well-ventilated, and with a modern IT setup. It has to provide adequate space for the students to study and enable teachers to provide demonstrations. Do enquire about the average class size as well. Overcrowded classrooms lead to low student engagement and poor learning.
School facilities play a significant role in student development. Repton International School has a 20-acre full-facilities campus. Built within a beautiful forest area, it boasts educational and recreational facilities such as Olympic swimming pools, tennis courts, a running track, 3G synthetic football pitch, state-of-the-art IT suites, and Science and Multimedia laboratories. Each child will acquire knowledge, skills, and values in this beautiful modern international school.
3) What programs does the international school provide?
International schools offering a holistic and comprehensive education will have different platforms where students can engage through Arts, Performance, Music, and Sports, fostering social, debate and leadership skills. It emphasises the growth of a learner, instead of highlighting only specific parts of the human experience. Additionally, lessons are highly engaging so that students can learn more naturally.
That's because holistic education aims to cultivate a developing child's physical, emotional, moral, psychological, and spiritual attributes.
Serving the whole child means providing personalised opportunities for a child's skills and feelings. It results in better communicators so children can express themselves well with a strong sense of self, cultivating whole-person development.
Empowered by a holistic education, children grow up to become able to critically evaluate and be creative thinkers who can manage their lives better with a high level of emotional intelligence.
What to look out for at the international school?
Look to enrol your child in a learning environment where the curriculum is holistic and comprehensive enough to develop vital skills. This includes investigating problems, developing creative and critical thinking skills, and applying scientific principles and design innovations.
Repton's school curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage [EYFS] programme and English National Curriculum at Key stages 1 through 4. Students also learn to communicate and master a minimum of two languages, including English, Chinese, Malay, and French. At Key Stage 4, students undertake International GCSE qualifications.
Furthermore, in Sixth Form, students can take either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or A Level. This choice means students can exercise their decision-making skills to plan future paths.
The A Level programme follows the British curriculum and comprises specific, separate subjects. Students receive ample advice and guidance from the dedicated careers counsellor to help ensure that they make the correct choices. The IB Diploma Programme is different as it centres around a set of competencies, skills and values critical to the development of a student. Research, project, and essay skills are core to the IB Diploma Programme. However, both have their own merits. Top international schools will be able to offer different options and advise on the best route to take. Leading universities around the world accept either option, it is really a matter of what best benefits the child.
It also means that they are not limited to just one education pathway. When searching for international schools, find one that provides multiple primary and secondary education pathways.
4) How is technology & innovation practised at the international school?
First came television and video, and teachers could bring audio-visual learning into the classroom. Now, computers have become a standard tool in most top international schools, improving learning and education processes.
Indeed, education keeps pace with every era, and schools should employ modern technologies to benefit teachers and learners.
For example, Covid-19 proved that the use of technology in learning is a critical factor for success. In many well-equipped schools, students use online resources to obtain on-demand support. They can also collaborate with their classmates online, generating a better learning experience.
Besides, educational technology has helped create updated educational materials and improved the teaching and learning process.
What to look out for at the international school?
Besides easy-to-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice what they know, the international school should be equipped with technology that helps students explore subjects and deepen their understanding of complex concepts, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Especially for STEM, students must actively participate in projects to experience hands-on ways to solve real-world problems. Even if they are not pursuing these fields in the future, research has shown that children with a STEM background take these creative and critical thinking skills to the workplace.
Therefore, the best international schools will have programs that strengthen students' skill sets to become global leaders.
5) What are some extracurricular activities at the top international schools?
While academic excellence is important, parents should look for an international school with a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Such activities are an excellent way for children to learn about the world. In addition, students must be given an outlet for their extra energy and curiosity to enable them to grow into healthy adults with a wide range of knowledge and experiences.
However, more than just being fun, extracurricular activities also teach children how to be social in many different situations, which will help them later on in life.
Furthermore, when students have to juggle different activities, they also learn time management skills. Studies also show that students who participate in extracurricular activities have a lower absentee rate and are more likely to pursue higher education.
What to look out for at the international school?
When considering schools, find an international school which offers a wide variety of sports and extracurricular activities. It is important that children can challenge themselves and find their passion outside of the classroom.
These activities allow each child to explore different areas of interest, increase self-confidence, build leadership skills and even improve grades while having fun! In addition, extracurricular activities teach life lessons such as accepting failure and a growth mindset.
One of the best schools in Malaysia, Repton International School has a comprehensive suite of extracurricular activities guided by exceptional teachers designed to build confidence, character, resilience, and grit.
6) Does the international school offer scholarships?
A scholarship is a financial grant to support a student throughout their studies. However, scholarships usually do not have strict financial criteria. They are awarded based on competency instead.
So while it may serve a practical purpose of reducing the financial burden, it does more than that. When a child gets a scholarship, it is a nod to their talents and abilities.
It also gives them a competitive edge over the rest of their peers when they apply for work in the future. Finally, it's also a source of recognition and pride for the parents and child alike.
What to look out for at the international school?
Parents should seek to find an international school with scholarships that will recognise their child's strengths.
For example, Repton International School has a scholarship programme to support excellence and opportunities for students wishing to pursue any of our programmes from Junior School up to A Level or IB Diploma Programme.
7) Does the international school emphasise pastoral care?
Effective pastoral care in a school supports students in their emotional development and boosts their self-esteem and social skills. It's vital that students feel safe and valued in their school environment, and well-trained school staff can help ensure this.
What to look out for at the international school?
Some signs that the international school has strong pastoral care include a clear articulation of its meaning on their school website or admission brochure.
On school tours, parents should also be able to observe how it touches every part of school life from curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment. Some examples include career guidance and counselling services to support students' growth.
Pastoral care builds community within the school and creates supportive environments for all community members.
Students benefit from a nurturing learning environment like Repton International School, so they can thrive academically and emotionally.
It's essential to see if the international school emphasises pastoral care, from all the teachers and every school community member.
Watch for a strong character and moral education program, career guidance, leadership opportunities, and mentoring to promote a strong ethos of mutual care and concern. After all, it is crucial for a child to have a positive outlook and enjoy schooling.
Why choose Repton International School?
Repton is one of the most famous international schools in Malaysia. This historic British international school brand provides excellent academic exposure with a dedicated team so students can learn and grow. A Repton International School education greatly impacts a child's life, providing them with a quality education to help mould them into responsible global citizens. For an in-person campus experience, contact us to book a school tour now.