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PROSPECTUS |
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Braeside High School is run on the British National Curriculum. In the High School this covers Key Stages 3 & 4. At the end of Year 9 pupils are required to sit for SAT's or Standardised Assessment Tests in Maths, English and Science. These tests are done by International Schools. English, Mathematics and Science are given more teaching time than any other subject. At key Stage 3, the curriculum is the same for all students. Along with the core subjects, Design and Technology, a Foreign language, Music and Information Technology are compulsory. They do not however have to be taken at the IGCSE level. It is possible to follow a short course in these subjects, link them into a single course or combine them with other subjects. The IGCSE (International General Certificate to Secondary Education) has replaced the old 'O' level and GCE examinations. The result is a sequence of grades from A* (the highest) to G. Grade A*, A, B and C are equivalent to what used to be an 'O' level Pass. Braeside School is one of the largest fully accredited Cambridge
International Centres in Kenya today. Over the last three years
we have consistently presented in excess of seventy candidates annually
for examination through the prestigious University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate. Braeside High School is also fully
registered with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
of the United Kingdom and our pupils in Year 9 sit the same Standardised
Assessment Tests (SAT's) that are taken by schools within the United
Kingdom. A minimum of five passes in the International Examinations is a prerequisite for admission into institutions of higher learning. Over the last three years close to three-quarters of all candidates presented for examination have gained entry into these institutions. A majority into our sister school Braeburn High School and many into the United States International University (USIU). A careers advisory programme is in place to give appropriate guidance on choices of schools to our pupils moving onto further studies. All the teaching staff at Braeside are fully qualified to handle their areas of specialty. Virtually, all are graduates and many have gone through a familiarisation course for the IGCSE curricula. This has been run by Braeburn's Centre for Professional Development. The policy of employing local staff leads to greater stability in that, teacher turnover is minimal. The majority of our children are Kenyans although as time passes, a more cosmopolitan outlook has been evidenced. Our pupils are encouraged to develop completely, not simply as academics but great emphasis is placed on extra-curricular activities such as Sport and Drama and also on developing social graces and skills. In each year, there are three mixed ability-reaching groups. We have a maximum class size of twenty-five pupils. Each class has a Form Tutor who looks after the well-being of individuals within the group. There are two Heads of Section, one overseeing the years Seven, Eight and Nine, and one for the years Ten and Eleven. Many of our pupils on leaving Braeside pursue 'A' levels in other Nairobi Schools or abroad, others go on to take I.B. (International Baccalaureate) or Degree Courses at private universities. The essence of a good school depends on the relationship between Parents, Pupils and Teachers. Close contact between the school and parents is therefore a prerequisite for success. The first point of communication comes through the use of the School Diary, which enables parents and teachers to be in close contact. Parents are requested to sign the diary each week, in order that any messages from teachers are seen and subsequent measures taken, where necessary. Termly reports are given, commenting on academic and social progress. An end of year report is given commenting on the performance of the child over the course of the academic year. Parent meetings are arranged on a termly basis. Parents are invited to discuss the progress made by their child during the term. Individual discussion between parents and teachers concerned takes place. In aiming to further enhance parental involvement in all school activities the school administration is currently working on the modalities for the establishment of a Parents and Teachers Association. The aim of this association will be two-fold; First, to build greater partnerships between Parents and Teachers in the social and pastoral education of pupils, and second, to strategise on the further development of school facilities. Once a year we hold Speech Day where those pupils who have achieved, either socially, academically or through great effort are commended for their effort and prizes are awarded. The class teacher closely monitors the conduct of pupils. He/she will keep in close contact with parents, reporting on behavioural changes or any aspect which is giving cause for concern. In the event where an issue of indiscipline is of a sufficiently serious nature to warrant it, then a more senior member of staff will become involved assisting the class teacher. If at this point a satisfactory conclusion is not resultant, then the senior management team, which includes the Headteacher, will also have input into the situation. Braeside believes in close liaison with its parents. Keeping in close communication means that many issues of serious indiscipline can be checked. In exceptional cases of gross misconduct, the Headteacher may exclude a pupil either for a fixed period of permanently. Pupils are encouraged to adhere to a code of conduct. This states:
The school has a large and spacious kitchen, which enables the production of meals for the children. Recognising the transport problems that plague most urban cities today the school has put in place a transport programme that covers virtually all the major areas within Nairobi and its environs. Included in our daily routes are Lavington, Valley Arcade, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Hurlingham, Langata & Karen, South B & South C, Mombasa Road, Embakasi, Eastlands, Westlands, Spring Valley, Runda, Loresho, Garden Estate and the Kiambu Institute of Science & Technology amongst others. A schedule for the routes covered and a timetable for each of the six buses can be obtained from the school office. A school Hiace and a mini-bus are available for short trips while a fully reconstructed Leyland turbo safety bus ensures that camping and educational tours around the country can be undertaken with ease and in relative comfort. |
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