Address: P.O. Box 51019 Kifissia GR 145 10 |City: Kifissia |Country: Greece |Phone: 00 210 282 9750 |Fax: 00 210 2826 415 |Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |School Web Site: http://www.stcatherines.gr/ |
Description
St. Catherine's British Embassy School currently teaches 935 pupils age 3-18 years of age. It is situated within its own grounds in northern Athens near the elegant suburb of Kifissia. It has excellent teaching, sporting and recreational facilities, including a large open-air swimming pool and two libraries. As expected of a leading international school teaching an advanced curriculum, all classrooms are fitted with interactive white board technology.St. Catherine's was established in 1956 in the grounds of the British Embassy in Athens. Although originally intended to provide education for children from Britain and the Commonwealth, it now teaches pupils from 54 nationalities. Its internationally acclaimed reputation is gained by achieving high academic standards within a challenging curriculum. Character building and interpersonal skills are developed through a range of relevant educational experiences and extra-curricular activities. A leading exponent of global citizenship, pupils are encouraged to develop problem-solving skills, conflict resolution skills, negotiation strategies and an understanding of multicultural, multi-faith, and multiracial concepts within the context of cultural pluralism. Pupils are expected to seek solutions to environmental and ecological problems and actively demonstrate responsibilities and sound practices for good global, European and national citizenship, as well as having clear expectations of the relevance and benefits of personal, social and health strategies.
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 (obtaining papers and marking services through DCSF/ISN no: 1250043). The annual test results are published to parents and the international community in the prescribed manner. The schools 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 pupil. In 2009 the school’s sixth cohort of 31 IB graduates once again achieved a 100% diploma pass rate with an average Diploma Score of 37.5 points, with 93% of students entering their first choice university.
St. Catherine's is a 'not for profit organisation'. It is, however, a private school and is registered at Companies House in the UK (reg. no. 860288). It is also registered as a charity with the UK Charities Commission (Charity No. 313909) and annual returns are regularly filed with both these institutions. The British, Australian and Canadian Ambassadors to the Hellenic Republic are the trustees (now referred to as Guardians) of the school. They appoint Governors (directors) to the Governing Body. The headmaster of the school is also regarded as the school's Chief Executive Officer.
Arts, sciences and sports flourish at the school. There is a flourishing 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 Arts examinations in speech and drama are also open to pupils of the school. A strong feature of the school is its International Award / Duke of Edinburgh scheme. This links most appropriately to the CAS element of the I.B. 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.
