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Spain, Tenerife
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The school provides weekly PSHEE lessons as part of the curriculum to support pupil wellbeing. The pillars of Commitment, Kindness, Honesty, and Respect are woven into daily life to create a nurturing environment. A dedicated full-time wellbeing practitioner offers individual support to students. Special celebrations such as Odd Socks Day, Anti-Conflict Week, E-Safety Week, and Random Acts of Kindness Week foster empathy and awareness. Wellbeing resources include a Friendship Bench and wellbeing help lines displayed around the school.
BST is an inclusive school that recognises and supports neurodiversity. A range of teaching methods includes multi-sensory activities, hands-on learning, and project-based approaches to accommodate different learning styles. Identification of learning differences begins in Primary education so that appropriate support can be provided early. Neurodivergent students receive targeted support with literacy and access to technology tools to aid learning. Cambridge International Examination Board arrangements allow compatible exam access so neurodivergent students can sit exams alongside peers when appropriate. Regular staff training and awareness sessions help highlight the strengths of students with learning differences and promote their inclusion.
The school welcomes children whose first language is not English. Families are asked to state languages spoken at home and in previous schools at the start of the application process. Students with English as an Additional Language will have an oral interview with the Head of School and/or the EAL Coordinator, together with a Cambridge English Placement Test (applicable from Phase 3). Primary pupils will be offered extra EAL support, and Secondary pupils may need to attend intensive English lessons outside school. The EAL policy is published on the BST site and is applied to guide EAL provision.
The school has a full-time wellbeing practitioner who provides support to individuals. PSHEE lessons are delivered weekly as part of the curriculum to address pupil wellbeing. The pillars—Commitment, Kindness, Honesty, and Respect—are woven into every aspect of school life to create a supportive environment. A range of wellbeing initiatives include after-school yoga, a relaxation and game group, and wellbeing help lines displayed around the school. Workshops cover health- and safety-related topics such as First Aid, Healthy Living, Technological Abuse, and E-Safety, with additional workshops planned based on feedback.
The designated safeguarding lead is Kim Langdon; Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Anita Pestana (Secondary), Soraya Williams (Primary), and Jenni Garnett (Early Years). The safeguarding team also includes the Headteacher and safeguarding governor as part of the structure. The school recognises its moral and statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all students; the welfare of the child is paramount. Staff are trained to recognise signs of abuse, follow safeguarding procedures, and refer concerns to the DSL or external agencies as required. The policy aligns with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 and other safeguarding legislation and is publicly available as part of the safeguarding portfolio, including online safety. The school will refer safeguarding concerns to children's social care, the police, or other agencies as necessary.
The British International School of Tenerife provides an authentic UK educational experience for students from 18 months to 18 years across its two campuses in La Luz and Los Realejos. Students follow the National Curriculum for England, working towards Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level examinations. The Secondary campus features specialized science laboratories, a dedicated computing suite, and designated spaces for art, drama, and languages. A defining feature of the school is its distinctive House system. In the primary years, Houses map to the Canary Islands' four national parks, while secondary students belong to Houses representing the four natural elements. Students earn points during inter-house competitions and weekly assemblies by demonstrating core values like kindness, honesty, and respect. Alongside strong English instruction, the curriculum heavily integrates the Spanish language, allowing students to celebrate British traditions such as St. George’s Day while meeting national requirements for Spain.
