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our curriculum
THE NURSERY
Learning starts at birth, if not before.
Children are born with the desire to learn and are naturally curious about the world they find themselves in. They want to know more about themselves, other people and the world around them. Children are also born with the desire to communicate. They want to share their thoughts, feelings and desires, and understand those of others. At "The International School of Venice Nursery School" we build upon children's curiosity and desire to communicate by ensuring that they get plenty of opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills. Young children learn best from direct experiences, which interest them and build on their existing knowledge and skills. The experiences we offer allow children to explore and investigate at their own pace, control their own learning through choice of activities and available resources, to set and plan for their own goals and to devise strategies for achieving them.
THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
In "The International School of Venice Primary School" pupils follow the English National Curriculum, which is integrated with the Italian Ministerial Programmes of 1985.
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
At "The International School of Venice Middle School" we continue to work following the same philosophy as the Primary school. The rich and broad bilingual course is followed, combining both the Italian and the English Curricula. Students are prepared for the 'Licenza Media' exam at the end of the third year.


assessment

a) Primary School
Assessment, which is an important part of the formative process, is made by teachers during the school year on the basis of precise and systematic observations of the pupils' learning processes with regards to the objectives included in the school programming. Assessment Weeks are held during the academic year, in which planned teacher assessment takes place. This is kept in a pupil record which moves through the school with the child. Base-line assessment takes place at the beginning of the Reception year and Standard assessment Testing takes place at the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 5). These tests have been adapted to meet the needs of The International School of Venice from the English National Curriculum methods of assessment.

b) Middle School
The school informs the family about the progress of their children four times throughout the school year. This is in the form of a written report twice a year, one in February and the other in June (as in the Primary School). Other progress is reported orally during individual meetings with subject teachers. Parents can request an interview with their child's teacher whenever they think it necessary. A meeting with the Director or School Coordinator may also be arranged upon request, and may be useful to resolve any other problems.