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United Kingdom, Aberdeen
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The school offers BEBRAS (computational thinking) and the CREST Award (Science) as part of its extracurricular programme. Students participate in national challenges and competitions to stretch their thinking and collaborative skills, and local partnerships support science initiatives such as the Go4Set science initiative. A range of clubs meets during breaks to broaden academic horizons, and Middle and High School students also take part in learning experiences outside class through field trips and guest lectures.
Art is an active extracurricular area with activities in painting, ceramics, printing, drawing, and sculpture. An after-school Art Club runs weekly for younger students; older students can join after-school art classes and a Ceramics Club, and IB Visual Arts students attend Studio Workshops for one-to-one tutoring. The performing arts program offers private instrument study with ABRSM or Trinity exam routes and an after-school jazz band that performs with the curricular jazz band.
Language-related opportunities include language immersion experiences such as French or Spanish immersion living with local families. Local cultural experiences include theatre programs such as Ten Feet Tall, Aberdeen's Theatre Academy, and trips to places like London to broaden cultural understanding. ISA also maintains links with local universities and hosts guest speakers to enrich cultural learning.
Student Councils are an important part of ISA and organize curricular and extracurricular social events as well as fundraising activities. Elections run for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director of Communications, enabling student leadership. Clubs and activities include BEBRAS (computational thinking), the CREST Award, Amnesty Club, Environmental Club, Duke of Edinburgh, and Model United Nations, along with field trips and guest speakers that broaden social experiences.
Community service and service-learning are part of ISA's activities, with opportunities such as field trips for service learning to Newton Dee and other outreach projects. The Student Councils coordinate community-focused events as part of ISA's broader social impact program.
Student Councils run campaign elections for leadership roles (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Director of Communications), giving students direct leadership experience. The Duke of Edinburgh Award offers Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, including volunteering, physical activities, skills development, expeditions and a residential component. Model United Nations provides a platform for leadership, teamwork and public-speaking, complemented by guest speakers and university/industry engagement.
Sport is a core part of wellbeing; ISA is a founding member of the International Schools Sports Association and is affiliated with the Scottish Basketball Association, the Scottish Volleyball Association, and the Scottish Schools Football Association, offering basketball, volleyball, football, tennis, badminton and golf. The school regularly competes in regional tournaments. The campus features a sports complex with a swimming pool and climbing wall, and ISA runs a Swimming program with world-class facilities on-site. Field trips and CAS-related outdoor activities, including countryside excursions and Belgium battlefields tours, support outdoor learning and personal development.
Located on the Pitfodels campus just outside Aberdeen, the International School of Aberdeen is an independent IB World School serving ages 3 to 18. The school offers the IB curriculum across PYP, MYP and DP, alongside Cambridge IGCSE and an American curriculum, providing a flexible pathway from early years to graduation. ISA began in 1972 and was Scotland's first IB Programme; it moved to Pitfodels in 2010. The campus features a traditional granite reception building, two teaching wings, science labs, visual and performing arts studios, a 300-seat theatre, and a sports complex with a swimming pool and an 8-metre climbing wall. Outdoor spaces include FIFA-grade all-weather fields and tennis courts. The school emphasizes inquiry-based learning, English language studies, and language options in French or Spanish (including Ab Initio). Extracurriculars include BEBRAS and CREST, a wide range of sports and performing arts, and community partnerships with local organisations to extend learning beyond the classroom.
