Welcome to the Discovery Bay International School official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

Does your school have a waiting list? In which years?

Yes in EY & Primary

What are qualities and characteristics that define your school and its students?

Providing an inclusive and nuturing environment to our students is key to empowering them to develop and thrive as individuals and achieve academic excellence. Diversity and individuality are central tenets of the school and the child centred, enquiry based curriculum embedded at DBIS from the Early Years up to through to early Secondary, empowers DBIS students to become independent and innovative thinkers. The school values caring and respectful personal relationships which engenders a strong sense of community and encourages students to make a positive difference to the lives of others.

How many nationalities are represented in your school? How international would you say your school is?

Over 50 nationalities.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

British

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

EY (Nursery and Reception): 2:20

EY1 and EY2: 2:25

Primary Y3-Y6: 1:25

Secondary: 1:24

Sixth Form: 1:5-10 depending on subject

Does your school measure Value Added data? Please provide details of how you measure, and current Value Added benchmark scores.

N/A

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

We use Cambridge International, Ed Excel and AQA examination boards as well as BTEC qualifications. We also offer HSK Mandarin qualifications

Please provide details of how well your school did in its previous external exams for students at 16 and at 18 years of age? Please provide sufficient detail to allow parents to have a view on how academic your school is?

Details can be found on our website here: https://www.dbis.edu.hk/558/exams-universities

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

90% - Universities in the UK and Australia although also Europe, Israel, US and Canada.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

Our core belief at DBIS is that high quality learning should be an enjoyable, engaging and purposeful experience for students. It should enable learners of all ages to develop socially, emotionally and academically.

The positive, nurturing environment at our school, coupled with our holistic approach to education results in a high standard of learning. It is intentional by design and is based on an understanding of the most effective and contemporary methods, which will allow children to learn.

High quality learning at DBIS includes the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and skills in tandem with values, personal qualities and attributes. It also focuses on improving students’ critical awareness, understanding of themselves, their place in society and the international context in which they are developing as learners.

Do you develop independent learning through homework and, if so, what are your recommendations regarding this, particularly time spent on homework?

Books are taken home from Early Years through to Primary with a variety of homework activities. Older Key Stage 1 students learn spellings and perform mathematical type tasks as part of their homework. We also ask our students to talk about school topics, notably related to the Discovery unit, at home whilst studying it in school. At Key Stage 2 we continue to give students homework but we expect them to do more tasks independently. We set English, Maths and Discovery related homework routinely and we expect our students to consolidate and reinforce learning undertaken in school through practice at home. We may also set homework as a means of helping our students to revise for tests as well as to ensure that prior learning has been understood. We steadily increase the amount of homework that we give our students as they move through our school. We expect our Key Stage 1 students to spend approximately one hour a week doing homework, although this may well include reading with a parent.

We expect our students in Years 3 and 4 to spend approximately 15–20 minutes per night on homework and students in Years 5 and 6 to spend approximately 30 minutes per night.

In Years 7, 8 and 9, home-learning units of time will be allocated based on the time each subject is given over the 10 Day timetable. This allocation will provide students with an average of 1-1.5 hours of home learning for each timetabled day. In Year 10 and 11, students should expect 1-2 hours of work each evening. A Level students should expect approximately 1 hour of home learning for each hour spent in lessons.

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

All students take part in physical education lessons as part of the curriculum and extracurricular sport is encouraged across all ages and abilities. Students have other opportunities totake part in outdoor pursuits through the The Hong Kong Award for Young People and various school camps and trips. Early Years students enjoy outdoor learning activities as part of their Forest and Beach Schools programmes.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

The school hosts the Life Education Activity Program (LEAP) van each year for a fortnight and Early Years and Primary students have the opportunity to visit and take part in their educational programme. The curriculum also actively supports healthy lifestyles through the Discovery programme in Early Years and Primary and Learning for Life lessons.

How do you promote healthy eating?

There is always a healthy choice at the canteen, and the snack and drink vending machines only contain healthy options. Again the curriculum promotes healthy eating in Learning for Life lessons in Secondary and the Discovery programme in Early Years and Primary.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students? How does it promote a balanced diet?

Yes

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

HK$25-35.

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

EY - 8:55 to 14:40 Primary 8:25 to 15:15 Secondary 8:25 to 15:20

Is there a school uniform?

For Early Years to Year 11 - not for years 12 &13

Please advise on your discipline policy?

The school has age appropriate positive behaviour policies which are designed to promote good behaviour, rather than merely deter inappropriate behaviour. Our school has a number of school rules, but the primary aim of the behaviour policy is not a system to enforce rules, rather we intend to have a consistent set of processes that take account of individuals within the positive interactions of all students. Our school behaviour policy is therefore designed to support the way in which all members of the school can live and work together in a supportive way. It aims to promote an environment where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

Students receive ongoing feedback on their progress throughout the term, both written and verbal with opportunities for self reflection.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

Parents receive termly reports and can attend parent teacher student conferences 2 times per year.

Which languages are taught at your school - please detail any as a first as well as second language?

Mandarin, Spanish and French

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

Yes we have an EAL team

Do you offer a dedicated prayer room/s for students? For which faiths?

Yes

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

We have a Challenge programme and Gifted and talented team

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes, team of 6 teachers and 10 Educational Assistants

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

LOA1 2 and 3

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

Yes we have a learning support team and are working toward becoming a dyslexic friendly school

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

Yes we have an inclusion Department to support learning needs. We also have a full time wellbeing Coach and a school Counsellor

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes - our Parent Teacher Student Association

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

We have 2 parents per class to support the teacher and provide the link to our parents. Parents frequently volunteer to help out with trips, fairs, school plays.

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

Yes - our School Council, the School Advisory Committee both have parent Members.

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

Yes. We have a Marketplace Fair at the start of every school year to enable new parents to meet and talk to various departments within the school and the PTSA. New parent coffee mornings also run to give parents the opportunity to meet staff and other parents. Class parents also give support welcoming new families to DBIS and to introduce them to other parents in the class.