ACCESS NL > Features > We plan to do great things in the future for children
We plan to do great things in the future for children
2019-07-31 | By HSV International School
The HSV International Department offers mainstream and special international education. The HSV Primary School has provided primary aged children exceptional educational experiences since 1986. The HSV primary school consists of a Dutch Department and International Department spread over four locations in different areas of The Hague. In August 2018, we opened our VHS location. Our small international special school, Lighthouse and our international preschool, The Three Little Ships also moved into the same building. In the past year, they have built a great foundation together over the past year. The Lighthouse leadership team is now part of the wider International Department team.
We plan to do great things in the future for children in mainstream and special education.
Our Locations
Two locations, KSS and VNS, consist of solely international children. Our newest location, VHS, is home to another of our International Department locations as well as the Three Little Ships Pre-school, Lighthouse Special Education Primary School and Het Open Venster, a Dutch Dyslexic Primary School. The NSL location houses both an International Department and a Dutch Department. Since September 2014, the children in the group 1 of the Dutch Department have been taught in both English and Dutch as part of a national project on bilingual education (TPO). It is the aim of the HSV that all locations and departments work together when they can to benefit the educational experience of our children. Please visit our website for more information about our locations: https://hsvid.nl
Small learning environments with global focused education
At the HSV we stand for an important mission statement: Global Citizenship, Lifelong Learning!
We believe that we have to do the best we can to promote global citizenship and to develop in our children the skills that they will need for lifelong learning.
We seek out quality teachers from around the world to nurture our children to become socially responsible members of society. In doing so, we help them to uncover talents, interests and values that not only prepare them for the next stage of their education but that stay with them for life.
Our children come from diverse backgrounds with a rich tapestry of educational experiences, cultures, traditions and religions. It is our aim that teachers and pupils share and learn about these from each other. We reflect not only upon our differences but also upon our similarities. It is also important that our pupils have an understanding of the language and culture of our host country, the Netherlands.
Curriculum
The International Department Curriculum is taught in English. The curriculum for Literacy and Mathematics is based on England’s National Curriculum. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is used to teach other subjects using an integrated approach. Specialist teachers teach music and Physical Education, and children from Year 4 upwards have a handicraft teacher. The children also learn Dutch if their level of English is deemed proficient. EAL (English as an Additional Language) teachers support children who are new to learning English. Teachers differentiate the curriculum to meet the different needs of children. We have created a culture of learning where the concept of having a growth mindset in fundamental.
Personal Goals
The Personal goals are an integral part of the IPC curriculum; they are goals that we want to develop in our pupils: Adaptability, Communication, Co-operation, Enquiry, Morality, Resilience, Thoughtfulness and Respect.
Core Values
All HSV stakeholders were involved in our school plan and from this came the values we feel are at the core of our school.
Respect: We are a diverse organisation whose members endeavor to work together, respecting the culture and values that we each bring to all situations.
Connectivity: Feeling united in our own school and feeling connected with the other HSV schools through our shared values.
Responsibility: Feeling ownership in your role; being proactive and solving problems.
Safety: Creating an environment where everyone feels safe.
We warmly invite you to experience what our tight-knit school – with its small learning environments yet globally focused education – has to offer.
See below what our parents have said about us in the past
The core values of the school are genuine and heartfelt. It is not a school for the masses – it is quaint. There is a nice mix between respecting the local values whilst preparing the pupils for an international lifestyle!
Each year a new teacher brings in a new aspect and a new approach to teaching, of which the children can benefit. What I as a parent appreciate most is my children feeling home away from home. Both of my girls love going to school and their teachers. I cannot thank the whole school staff enough for providing this beautiful, safe and nurturing environment for my lovely daughters!
My daughter has been a student at Lighthouse for the past three years and we have been thrilled with her education. The progress she has made (in both classes) has been amazing. The teachers and therapists truly meet each student’s individual needs. We wish that there was a Lighthouse Special Education in every country we live in!
Finding a school like The Lighthouse is truly special and as a parent, it is so important to make sure the school is the right fit for your family and child. The Lighthouse has become such an experience for us as a family. From the small class environment, individual education programs tailored to the children’s needs and the dedication of the teachers and supporting staff I could not have hoped for anything better. It has become part of my network and community to give my child the best education and support possible for her needs and growth.