Overview

Braeburn Garden Estate School (BGES) follows the admission policy of the Braeburn Group of International Schools.

Equal Opportunities

BGES welcomes all students regardless to gender, race, religion or culture. We are a non-selective school but we ensure all students have the ability to access our curriculum through admission testing if appropriate. We welcome students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and we have a dedicated SEN department. BGES may request an up to date SEN report be undertaken, and any previous assessments will be required prior to admission being approved. Students whose mother tongue is not English are required to have a minimum level of English Language to access the curriculum.

Supporting documents

All applicants must provide copies of their passport or copies of birth certificate, previous up to date school reports, a letter of recommendation and a leaving certificate from the previous school. (Students joining from other KAIIS Schools (Kenya Association of Independent International Schools) must have a leaving certificate from that school to be admitted to BGES.)

Year groups

Children are only placed in year groups according to their age. In exceptional circumstances a child may be placed in a year group below their age band. The reasons for this are normally identified as ‘Additional Educational Needs’ and it is considered in the child’s best interest. This is only agreed with substantial evidence that supports the decision (for example, assessments by an Educational Psychologist).

In the Primary School, children are never placed in a year group above their age band, regardless of academic ability or previous schooling. We believe this is best practice for children’s emotional, social and physical development, as well as their language and communication development, especially in the Early Years. In the Secondary School, pupils are also placed in year groups according to their age. In some rare circumstances, pupils are placed in a year higher than their actual age. This decision is at the discretion of management and will be based on what is best for the individual child.

Parents of children with birthdays in July or August will be given a choice if they wish to hold their children back in a year group so they are the oldest in the class not the youngest. The advantages and possible disadvantages (sports) will be explained to parents on admission so they can make an informed decision.

Additional Information for admission into Years 7 – 11

Admission to these years is completed via the following requirements:

• Interview with Head / Deputy Teacher.
• Entrance assessment tests in English Language & Mathematics if so requested by the school.
• Additional SEN and or ESL assessment may also be requested prior to admission.

Additional Information for admission into International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Years 12 – 13

Admission to this course is completed via the following requirements:

• Interview with Head / Deputy Head Teacher / IBDP Coordinator and the University Admissions Officer.
• Set of completed IGCSE grades (or equivalent) of 5 subjects or more at grade C or above, including English Language and Mathematics.
• For subjects selected at IB Higher Level students should have an IGCSE Grade “B” or above in that subject or the related core subject(s).
• For IB Higher Level Physics & Chemistry  IGCSE Grade “A” or above is required.
• For IB Higher Level Mathematics IGCSE Grade “A” and a further Mathematics study programme, eg CIE Additional Mathematics, is required.
• For IB Standard level Mathematics completion of the IGCSE “Extended” course is required.
• For students entering without IGCSE results we may require assessment in English Language, Mathematics and the subjects selected at IB Higher Level.
• Additional SEN and or ESL assessment may be requested prior to admission.
• BGES reserves the right to switch students to alternative courses if performance levels fall below levels set by the school.

Additional Information for admission into International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme, Years 12 – 13

Admission to this course is completed via the following requirements:

• Interview with Head / Deputy Head Teacher / IBCP Coordinator and the University Admissions Officer.
• Set of completed IGCSE grades (or equivalent) of 5 subjects at a pass level. (Grades A* - G)
• For students entering without IGCSE results we may require assessment in English Language and Mathematics and the IB subjects selected.
• For students selecting Art, examples of previous work may be requested.
• Additional SEN and or ESL assessment may be requested prior to admission.
• Extra-curricular private courses are available for students to re-sit IGCSE mathematics.
• BGES reserves the right to preclude individual IB SL subjects should students academic profiles not match the requirements of the subject.

Please note the following additional admissions information for the IBCP & IBDP programmes.

IBCP & IBDP Group 2 Language Selection 

• At IB level there are three group 2 languages offered, French, Spanish and Swahili. All three languages are offered at three levels, ab initio, standard level and higher level, although IBCP students are required to select an ab initio level language. Ab Initio level assumes little to no prior experience in the language and therefore a student will not be able to take a language that they have previously studied or been exposed to due to living in a country where that language is spoken. Any exception to this rule will be through discussion with the IB Diploma/Career-Related Coordinator and the relevant language teacher. 
• There is also an option for IBDP students to take a self-taught group A language in their native tongue if that is not English. This could be done instead of a group 2 language, but will need to be discussed and decided upon in consultation with the IBDP Coordinator, the Careers Advisor, the Self-Taught Languages Coordinator, the parents and the student.

Waiting lists

Where a year group is full, new admissions will be placed on a waiting list. Waiting lists operate on a first come, first served basis. Priority may be given to siblings of children who have a place in the school.

Siblings

Children with siblings already attending the school will be given priority in situations where there are waiting lists for entry to a particular year. There is a discount on tuition fees for siblings.

Differentiation and setting

At Braeburn Garden Estate, children are in mixed ability classes, and differentiation takes place within all classes to ensure children’s needs are met. This may be done through variation of teaching methods, task or expected learning outcomes. Teachers will often group children within their classes to assist with differentiation. The learning objectives covered for all children in a year group is the same. Where numbers allow, setting in Mathematics and English may take place in Year 2 and above.

Additional education provision

Our school represents society and, as such, our pupils have a range of abilities, from gifted and talented to those requiring additional support. We do our best to support children with learning difficulties. There is a policy of inclusion in most mainstream classes with withdrawal from one or two subjects decided in consultation with parents, the pupil (age dependent) and teachers.

Where known or suspected, parents are expected to make the school aware of any additional needs their child may have, before admission into the school.

Children will undergo specific assessments soon after admission as challenges become apparent or parents will be asked to take the child for assessments by external specialists.

If the school finds it cannot meet the needs of a particular child, the parents will be advised to withdraw the child and recommendations for alternative provision will be made. In addition, in some instances, especially those where an additional one-to-one support teacher is needed, the school may not be able to give acceptance because the school cannot meet the needs of the individual.

English as an additional language

The school has limited provision for children who have no knowledge of the English language. Special oral and written tests may be used to determine the child’s proficiency in English. In some cases, where pupils are unable to access the curriculum sufficiently well, tuition may be needed before acceptance can be given.

Physical disability

We will endeavour to educate students with physical disability within the constraints of school facilities and environment.

Admission testing

We use pre and post admission testing to:

• ensure all pupils can access our curriculum
• provide teachers with an idea of a child’s needs and strengths
• help with target setting for academic performance

Medical form

This must be completed by parents as soon as the child has joined the school. Existing conditions must be disclosed prior to admission.

Leaving the school

The headteacher must receive one full term’s notice in writing. If notice is not received, one full term’s fees in lieu of notice will be charged.

Admissions process

Before starting the admissions process we recommend you visit the school for a tour, or have an informal chat with the headteacher if you are out of the country. Final admission is subject to interview with the headteacher.

Upon successful completion of the admissions process you will receive a letter from the headteacher confirming the placement and the start date.