Welcome to the Sir Manasseh Meyer 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?

N/A

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

SMMIS provides a broad, varied, relevant and enriching curriculum with a focus on collaboration and enquiry learning through play. As a small school we can ensure that all of our students are known and the children can be set individual aspirational targets. Lessons focus on the progress of the children through support, challenge and extension work. Our teaching style is underpinned by our belief in a Growth Mindset and our desire to inculcate in our students 21st Century skills. We teach our children to be independent learners, resilient, collaborative and risk takers.

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

At SMMIS we welcome students from over 24 nationalities.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

We have a high proportion of students from the USA, Israel, Japan, Korea and India.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

Average across the whole school is 1-18

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?

SMMIS proudly delivers the Cambridge iGCSE, the world’s most popular international qualification for 14 to 16 year olds. It is recognised by leading universities and employers worldwide, and is an international passport to progression and success. Developed over 30 years ago, it is tried, tested and trusted by schools worldwide.

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?

Our first iGCSE graduating cohort will be in 2022.

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

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Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

At SMMIS we seek to inculcate not just the knowledge that our students will need but also the learning habits, values and attitudes that will guide them as they journey towards becoming responsible young men and women with something to give back to our world. This begins with our progressive IPC/ IMYC based curriculum, which emphasises academic rigour across a comprehensive number of teaching subjects, balanced by thoughtful and empathetic instruction that values character-building, emotional growth and creative collaboration.

Our curriculum is internationally minded; as we follow the International Primary (IPC) and International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) and offer the iGCSE. This curriculum offers students opportunities to learn about a wide variety of integrated topics through an international lens.

We follow the British National Literacy Curriculum, Singapore Maths Curriculum, have dedicated Makerspace, Coding and Robotics programmes. Hebrew and Mandarin are offered as second languages.

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

At SMMIS homework is an integral part of the learning process, as a necessary reinforcement to classroom instruction. We recognise that time is needed for students to pursue social, physical and recreational activities outside the school, and teachers attempt to strike a healthy balance of homework for their students. It is critical for students and parents to understand the importance of homework in reinforcing skills taught in the classroom and ensure that students budget their time appropriately.

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

Each week the students attend one PE lesson and one swimming lesson as part of the curriculum. After School Activities provide additional opportunities for physical activity including: swim squad, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and martial arts.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Our strong Physical, Social, Health and Emotional programme (PSHE) focuses on teaching our young students to pursue a healthy lifestyle both physically and emotionally.

How do you promote healthy eating?

Our strong Physical, Social, Health and Emotional programme (PSHE) focuses on teaching our young students to pursue a healthy lifestyle both physically and emotionally.

Each day our chef and his team of professional staff prepare freshly made, home cooked food for all of our students. We work closely with a UK qualified nutritionist to ensure the highest quality of food is prepared for the students to keep their brains alert and bodies active all day long. A hot, meat or vegetarian meal is provided each day.

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

Each day our chef and his team of professional staff prepare freshly made, home cooked food for all of our students. We work closely with a UK qualified nutritionist to ensure the highest quality of food is prepared for the students to keep their brains alert and bodies active all day long. A hot, meat or vegetarian meal is provided each day.

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

There is no additional cost for meals at SMMIS, it is included in our fees.

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

Our school day starts at 8:20. Monday to Thursday our school day ends at 3:40. On Friday the school day ends at 2.50. Children are welcome to play in the school playground before and after school.

Is there a school uniform?

At SMMIS we have a school uniform which is available for purchase at the school office. Each piece is around $25.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

We have high expectations of our children’s behaviour at all times. Students will be rewarded for good behaviour and there will be consequences for poor behaviour within a restorative practice framework.

SMMIS 5 Golden Rules

• Do as you are asked by a member of staff, at the first time of asking

• Listen in silence as others speak

• Keep hands and hurtful comments to yourself

• Be respectful of those around you and the world

• Be a mensch (a good kind person)

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

We have a robust system for data tracking and assessing student’s learning.

We track our students progress from the day they start at SMMIS. Every 6-8 weeks teachers capture and analyse the data that shows the progress and attainment of our students. Interventions are put in place to support learning if they are not at their expected Grade Level.

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

Formal reports are sent to parents twice a year: in December and June. Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC’s) will be held twice a year: in November and March.

Teachers are available to schedule a conference with parents any time parents feel it is needed. Teachers will call and/or e-mail parents anytime they feel there is a need to discuss an issue.

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

We teach Mandarin and Modern Hebrew as second languages.

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

We have a dedicated ESAL department which provides English as a Secondary or Additional Language for those students whose English is not their first language. Students are provided with language intervention until they are able to access the mainstream curriculum.

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

N/A

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

We have a dedicated Gifted & Talented department which provides stretch activities and opportunities for those students who are Able and Ambitious. Students and staff are offered interventions to best support our gifted students.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

At SMMIS we have a small learning support department that is able to support the learning of students with low level learning differences.

We take an inclusive approach to students with special educational needs – every child is respected and valued as an individual. Our small class sizes enable students to be supported in the general classroom setting, or they may receive individual or group support from the SEND teacher.

SMMIS is unable to support the learning of students with severe learning differences.

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?

SMMIS is unable to support the learning of students with severe learning differences.

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

At SMMIS we believe that it is our pastoral duty to support and enhance the wellbeing of each and every child. Students have access to free and confidential counselling services. The school counsellor works closely with Form Tutors and the leadership team to ensure that students’ emotional and social needs are fully supported.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

At SMMIS, our parent body is very much involved in the life of the school, with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) responsible for organising many different events in order to create a sense of community amongst our families. We see the partnership with parents as key to our and our students’ success.

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

At SMMIS, our parent body is very much involved in the life of the school, with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), responsible for organising many different events in order to create a sense of community amongst our families. We see the partnership with parents as key to our and our students’ success.

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

N/A

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

We run information and orientation days for new families and the PTA reaches out to all new families.