A broad and balance curriculum:
- 10 subjects (including English, Mathematics and Science)
- Classroom and external assessments
A broad and balanced curriculum:
- 10 subjects (including English, Mathematics and Science)
- Classroom and external assessments
A wide choice of subjects
- Cambridge IGCSE
(70+ subjects*)
- Cambridge ICE Certificate
* consult SAIL regarding availability
A wide choice of subjects
- Cambridge AS & A level (55+ subjects*)
- Cambridge AICE Diploma
* consult SAIL regarding availability
As the only Cambridge International School in Szczecin (as of September 2022), we offer the world`s most favored international school education, which gives our pupils the opportunity to continue their Cambridge education on 10000 schools in over 160 countries (IB is offered on ca 5000 schools). One major advantage of Cambridge education is the flexibility and adaptability to the local environment and the philosophy of the school.
In the Polish school system, the primary school (Polish: Szkoła podstawowa") lasts 8 years (added possibly by a one-year preschool, the so-called "zerówka" = class zero). The primary school is divided into two periods:
During the "early-years-education" period of 3 years, a form teacher creates and gives effective learning activities to the pupils in most of the lessons - in order to enhance their physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. Form teachers play an essential role as children aged six to seven move to more structured learning. Generally, they set an exciting tone of learning for the fundamental skills in writing, reading, and math.
In the following 5-years-period, the pupils are mostly taught by specialized subject teachers, for example for science, languages or arts. Pupils are encouraged to participate in a wide range of competitions on local to national levels. SAIL students often participate in English and German competitions. This second period ends with primary school exams.
Primary school is followed by various secondary schools, which may be a vocational school, a technical school or - as in our case - the 4-years general education high school (Polish: "Liceum ogólnokształcące") leading to high school exams.
At SAIL International School, the Polish Curriculum and the Cambridge International Curriculum are combined and added by education in mother tongue for most pupils. The aim is to make it possible for pupils to successfully return to a school in their home country with an appreciated education and certificate.
The naming of classes or grades differs from country to country. At SAIL International School, we generally follow the Cambridge system, starting with Primary 1 (P1) for the 5-year-old, which is still pre-school in Poland. Please find below an overview of our learning stages in comparison to a selection of countries.
If your child has finished a school year at a Polish school before entering SAIL International School, then the transfer to the corresponding subsequent class described in the overview is determined.
If your child moves from a foreign school to SAIL International School, then a provisional placement in the class is made by the school director after assessment of the individual situation (including factors like age and development, prior school career or language skills) and an interview with the parents. In rare cases, the provisional placement is corrected for the benefit of the child after a few weeks of observation, however this always happens in a joint decision together with the parents.
Especially in the lower classes, pupils learn in small groups, which makes possible an individual approach to pupils with a different level of learning within one class. In such an environment, an initial lack of language skills can usually be overcome within weeks. In very limited cases we can support children with special needs.
The school issues school reports with information on school performance, attendance and conduct. The current level of performance is displayed in a protected personal profile on the school```'s communication platform and can be regularly consulted with the teachers at parent-teacher-meetings.
“Music is the universal language of mankind", as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote and a recent Harvard study confirmed. Music and languages naturally play an important role in our international school.
No matter what your plans for the future are, speaking more than one language is always an incredibly useful skill to have. This is especially true for children. As they grow into adolescence, practicing new language skills provides them with a platform to understand the world from a totally new perspective, encouraging them to embrace new customs and cultural nuances. There’s further added benefit, as languages nurture their sense of empathy and understanding towards others at a crucial time in their growth, while also opening up new pathways to professional success in a globalized workspace.
English is language of instruction. We offer English as foreign language and extra English for pupils without an offered mother tongue.
We offer Danish language education as mother tongue conducted by a native speaker. Danish pupils from NATO run an own national program.
German is offered as mother tongue and as foreign language. Depending on the interest, we run an afternoon German club.
We offer Polish as mother tongue and as foreign language. Certain subjects need to be taught in Polish in accordance with the Polish curriculum.
Ukrainian language is offered as mother tongue by a native speaker and - within the framework of support for Ukrainian refugees - in afternoon language workshops.
Depending on the interest, our Ukrainian teacher and Russian native speaker offers Russian language education both as first and second language.
Depending on the group size, Spanish is offered as mother tongue, second language and in an afternoon Spanish club.
Depending on the group size, Italian is offered as mother tongue, second language and in an afternoon Spanish club.
Depending on the demand, French as foreign language may be offered.
STEAM education was first developed by researcher Georgette Yakman as recent as in 2006 and it focuses on creating related and interconnected curricula designed to champion innovation in 21st-century topics. However STEAM education is a brand new approach at schools in Poland, many of the core tenets of STEAM have been around for centuries. As far back as the 15th century, individuals such as Leonardo da Vinci saw the value in bringing together the scientific and artistic worlds to innovate.
As defined by STEAM Education, it stands for “Science and Technology, interpreted through Engineering and the Arts, all based in Mathematical elements.” This style of teaching focuses on providing an adaptable framework for education that highlights relationships between subject areas rather than cordoning each off. By taking this approach, education becomes more fluid and students learn how each discipline depends on the other.
The Arts in STEAM is about using creativity and imagination to increase the development of STEM’s essential skills, as well as enhance flexibility, adaptability, productivity, responsibility and innovation - all required skills for a successful career of our pupils in any field of study.
One of the major threats for our environment is the massive loss of biodiversity. Bees have become a victim of industrial agriculture and pesticides. Our school community established a safe habitat for 400 solitary bees with a shelter and food plants in the school garden. Solitary bees do not sting and are particularly suitable for bringing children into harmony with nature.
Every spring day, pupils experience to live with "their" harmless animals, observe them during the entire life cycle and practically learn to take responsibility for their natural environment.
Today’s education system highlights the importance of active learning over passive learning. An active strategy involves learning by doing rather than sitting, listening and repeating. It highlights the importance of social interaction, discovery, play and trial-and-error for learning and development.
Just like a sail helps the seamen to discover the world, SAIL International School wants to help our pupils to actively and independently learn and discover their journey in education, as well as in the close and further environment.
