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What it's like

Founded in 1967, it is in the leafy residential suburb of Ekeren, 7 kilometres north of Antwerp. Its 14-acre campus comprises six modern, well-equipped and comfortable buildings. It is a community centre for expatriate families, and is well respected and active. Pupils are approximately 21% Indian, 14% American, 12% Dutch, 10% British, 10% Belgian and represent a total of 34 nationalities. There is a favourable staff:pupil ratio of 1:10 which permits considerable individual attention. A traditional international education is provided and includes preparation for the International Baccalaureate. Academic results are good and the vast majority of pupils go on to universities in the UK, continental Europe or the USA. Art, music and drama are well established. There are plentiful extra-curricular activities, including a competitive athletic programme. Some 50% of pupils take part in non-compulsory sport and games. Field trips to European destinations are also organised and ample use is made of the cultural facilities of Antwerp.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 2½-18; 540 day pupils (275 boys, 265 girls). Entry at any stage. No entrance exam if previous school records are acceptable.

Scholarships & bursaries

2 scholarships. No bursaries. Parents are not expected to buy textbooks (except possibly additional books for literature).

Parents

Mainly expats and some locals. Many in multi-nationals, the diamond industry or self-employed.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Alun Cooper, in post 2008. Previously has been Head or acting head of international schools in Bahrain, Chile, Liberia, Egypt and Vietnam, of a boarding school in Argentina and taught in Birmingham (UK). Teaching staff: 55 full-time teachers, 22 part-time teachers, representing 19 nationalities.

Exam results

IGCSE: On average, 90% of gain at least grade C in 5+ subjects. IB: 99% of candidates obtained the diploma, with an average of 33 IB points.

Pupils' destinations

All go on to a degree course, (5% after a gap year): 60% to universities in the UK, 12% in the US, 20% in Europe and 7% in other countries (eg S Korea, Australia, Lebanon, India).

Curriculum

IGCSE and International Baccalaureate. 22 subjects offered. Special provision: Learning specialists available. ESL programme. Languages: English is the language of instruction; Dutch offered from age 3; French offered from age 8; Spanish from age 14. ICT: Taught as part of the curriculum in some years, leading to an IT licence. 200 computers for pupil use (open all day), all networked and with email and internet access.

The arts

Music: Over 20% of pupils learn a musical instrument. Choirs throughout the school; participation in international Honor Choir festivals and performances in school. Drama: Drama offered from age 11; theatre arts available in IB. Majority of pupils are involved in school productions; group productions of musicals and plays. Art and design: IB visual arts and studio arts which includes photography, Photoshop, paintings, graphics, assemblage, fashion design. Art history also offered.

Sports & activities

Sport: PE compulsory to 10th grade. North European Community of International Schools, and International Schools level in volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, track and field, athletics, swimming, tennis. Activities: Community service compulsory for senior school. Some clubs, eg chess, science, yearbook, school newspapers.

School life

Uniform: No uniform. Houses and prefects: No competitive houses or prefects. Student Council, with class representatives. Religion: No religious worship during the school day. Social: Grades 4-12 take field trips in Europe; Model United Nations participation in the Hague; week-long field trips for academic study and/or outdoor pursuits. Students are allowed to bring their own bike or motorbike to school (and able to park). Lunch: own lunch packets or in school cafeteria.

Discipline

Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco), fighting and bullying not tolerated.