JEDDAH, 27 June 2007 — A new international school has opened at Shajwah Street in Rehab district, off Tahlia Street, here, with the objective of providing one great package — “amazing campus, great management, good teachers and great recreational facilities.”
The City School International, described as one of the largest, most progressive private school systems in South Asia with over 50,000 students and 150 schools globally, already has 52 children of 10 different nationalities at its playgroup and KG levels that opened here in April.
“Regular classes from 1 to 5 grades will start from September, with the commencement of the new academic year,” John G.R. Proctor, director of studies The City School of Lahore, told Arab News. The school plans to add new grades each successive year.
“Our adherence in the senior schools to the syllabuses and examinations of Cambridge International Examinations at IGCSE, GCE Ordinary and GCE Advanced Levels, ensures that our students attain internationally recognized academic standards. City School students regularly appear in the Cambridge International Examinations annual statistical analysis as ‘subject-wise,’ ‘world-best,’ ‘country-best’ and ‘city-best’ students,” Proctor said.
The school curriculum across all the classes is designed with an aim to provide students with experiences which support, stimulate and structure their learning, he added.
“The school has activity-based teaching according to Montessori methods,” said Amrana Ahmed, director at the local school. Extra-curricular activities include art and sports. “Art is the medium of instruction at our primary level,” she said. “It is also thoroughly enjoyed by students at the middle school, who demonstrate outstanding creativity in this field.”
The school’s other features include home-school partnership, talent nurtured through art and sciences, and a well-equipped library and computer lab. It lays special emphasis on Islamic studies. The school, with Anila Paracha as its headmistress, gets its teachers trained in collaboration with UK institutions.
The first City School opened in Lahore in 1978. It has a chain of 138 schools across Pakistan alone. Elsewhere it has six schools in Dubai and some others in Malaysia and Bangladesh.
“The City School International has witnessed a phenomenal growth and success attributed to its high quality standards and pedagogical leadership,” Amrana said.
“Our British-based curriculum is so designed as to nurture a desire to learn. Students of all levels are encouraged to investigate and question the world around them. Teachers are trained to develop the maximum potential of every student under their care,” she said, adding that the school with an ISO 9001: 2000 certified school system has won a “prestigious” Private Schools Management Association Award for excellence in education.
