St. Catherine's British School


St Catherine's British School is an international school in Lykovrissi, Athens, Greece. Founded in 1956, the school now teaches over 1100 children and young adults from all over the world and is staffed by more than 120 teachers and associated personnel. St Catherine's follows the National Curriculum used in the United Kingdom, and lessons are taught primarily in the English language.

History

Originally, St Catherine's was a small primary school held at the British Ambassador's house. It catered mainly to the children of British citizens and employees of the British Embassy. In the 1960s, the school moved to a large complex of buildings in Lykovrisi, which is located in northern Athens near the suburb of Kifissia. In 2000, it developed an Upper School and expanded its grounds to include more buildings and sports facilities. Over the past 10 years, the school has expanded considerably and now has more than 1000 pupils from 54 different nationalities, including many native Greeks.

Administration

St Catherine's is a not-for-profit organisation registered in the United Kingdom. As a charity, the school does not have any owners and is instead administered by the Governing Body, and as Charity Trustees has control of the School and its property and funds. The Governing body is required by company law and charity law to act in the best interests of the School and to further the objects at all times and to act in accordance with the law. The Nomination Committee shall comprise the Executive Officers and the function of the committee shall be to nominate persons for appointment to the Governing Body. Each person appointed as a Governor shall prior to their appointment have been nominated for appointment by the Nomination Committee or a Nominator pursuant to Articles 5 7 or 6 4 respectively of the Articles of Association. The Nominators shall consist of:
the British Ambassador in Athens from time to time, the Director of the British Council in Athens from time to time, and the Director of the British School at Athens from time to time
The administration of the school is also assisted by the PTSA, which consists of parents of the students. The school allows its students to elect class representatives to the Lower School Council, Key Stage 3 Council and the Senior Senate which meet with senior staff to discuss issues raised by students and also to organise fund-raising and other community initiatives.

Education

In addition to teaching the National Curriculum for England and Wales, the school also offers courses leading to IGCSE and the diploma of the International Baccalaureate. At the ages of 7, 11 and 14 pupils undertake externally set and marked tests. The annual test results are published to parents and the international community in the prescribed manner. The school’s test results greatly out-perform national test averages for schools in England and Wales. Similarly, IGCSE results are in the upper range for independent schools in the UK. The average A*-C pass is 9 subjects per student This year the school’s sixth cohort of IB students will have graduated into university. In 2015 its students once again achieved a 99% diploma pass rate, with 94% of students entering their first choice university and 3% entering their second choice. The school teaches five modern languages: Greek, Spanish, French, German and English.
Arts, sciences and sports flourish at the school. There is an extra-curricular programme on offer mainly, although not exclusively, aimed at pupils from the mid-primary phase and above. The school participates in sports matches with other schools in Greece and abroad. Debating, oration and drama competitions at both national and international level, take place throughout the year. Drama, dance and music opportunities are on offer to all. Pupils can learn virtually any musical instrument of their choosing and can study for graded music examinations. The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art examinations in speech and drama are also open to students of the school. A strong feature of the school is its International Award / Duke of Edinburgh Award. This links most appropriately to the C.A.S. element of the IB Diploma. Overseas trips are a regular part of school life, as is the exploration and discovery of the history and geography of Greece. Inter-house activities and the elected School Council ensure pupil involvement in the commitment and delivery of school improvement at all levels.
At St Catherine’s the curriculum taught is the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with additions that take into account the school’s unique circumstances. The school is divided into six departments, in line with legal requirements for England and Wales. These departments are:
•Foundation Stage – Nursery and Reception •Key Stage One - Years 1 and 2 •Key Stage Two – Years 3 – 6 •Key Stage Three – Years 7 – 9 •Key Stage Four – Years 10 and 11 •International Baccalaureate – Years 12 and 13
As per the National Curriculum, the following subjects are taught to all children over the age of five - English, mathematics, science, design and technology, information and communication technology, geography, history, art, music and physical education. The syllabi used are those published by the QCA. A modern language is an option for pupils from Year Two. Subject specialists are used throughout the school. Although some setting may take place within classes, all contain children of mixed ability. Work is differentiated and children who require extra help to enable them to progress are supported within their own classroom or withdrawn for individual attention. St. Catherine’s takes every opportunity to benefit from the rich heritage of Greece and every class looks at a different aspect of Greek history or culture, usually supported by educational visits. Specialist E.A.L. help is available for children needing to accelerate their proficiency in the English language.

Exam results

International Baccalaureate
The IB candidates have this year successfully secured places at the following universities and colleges:
• Brighton University
• Bristol University
• Cambridge University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• City University
• Deree College
• Durham University
• University of Edinburgh
• Exeter University
• George Washington University
• Georgetown University
• Heriot-Watt University
• King’s College London
• London School of Economics
• New York University
• Northeastern University
• Queen Mary, University of London
• Queen Mary, University of London
• Queen Mary, University of London
• Royal Veterinary College
• School of Oriental and African Studies
• SEG
• Southampton Solent University
• Southampton Solent University
• University College London
• University of Bath
• University of Berkeley
• University of Birmingham
• University of California Los Angeles
• University of Chicago
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Dundee
• University of East Anglia
• University of Essex
• University of Groningen
• University of Michigan
• University of Nottingham
• University of Oxford Brookes
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Reading
• University of Surrey
• Vienna University of Economics and Business
• Yale University
• York University, Toronto

Facilities

Among the many classrooms are housed specialised music and drama rooms, a multipurpose hall for volleyball and basketball which also features a hydraulic stage for plays, concerts and events. Other outdoor sporting facilities include a swimming pool, 3 football pitches, two basketball courts, a volleyball court and three tennis courts.