King’s College - King’s Infant School
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King’s College - King’s Infant School
• When did Kings College Infant School at Chamartin open?
The new building opened in September 2004, although King’s College has always had a site in the Chamartín area since it first opened in 1969.
Can you tell us about the structure (curriculum, ages of children, school structure etc. etc.) of the school?
King’s Infant School is the smallest site of Kings College Madrid and has capacity for 200 pupils. We take children from Nursery to Year 2. Our youngest children are turning 3 and our oldest children are 7yrs old. As on all the King’s College sites we follow the British National Curriculum and strive for both the academic and personal success of our pupils. In the Foundation stage, pupils have the opportunity to develop the essential skills needed to learn. For most this is their first experience of school and our aim is for them to be happy and secure and to develop into well rounded pupils of the future. Pupils at King’s Infants school complete the full Infant cycle with us and then transfer into Year3 at either the main school in Soto de Viñuelas or King’s College School in La Moraleja. Regular cooperation between the three sites ensures that there is a common philosophy and ethos throughout and this is particularly important at the transfer stage. Pupils feel strongly that, regardless of which site they are on, they are a part of King’s College. Our pupils visit both sites for Christmas Shows and special events, so the transition to a new site to commence Year 3 is seen as a natural progression.
• How many children are enrolled and what is the average class size?
Our classes average 25 children per class and we have around 200 children in the school.
What is the percentage of Spanish versus International Children in the school?
In the school there is around 75% Spanish nationals. However some of these children have duel nationality and many of the parents are English speaking, or have had International experience. We are delighted that we now have second generation King’s children in the school and have welcomed back several ex pupils as parents. Our other 25% is made up of over 15 nationalities ranging from Australia to Egypt, Chile to Croatia
• With a large percentage of the children having Spanish as a first language, how do you find International children settle?
Children starting school at such a young age adapt very quickly to any language. English is the common classroom language with a real mixture of languages in the playground. It is important that they have time to express themselves in their mother tongue. Pupils are immersed in the English language and, within the curriculum, Drama and Music play an important role in reinforcing this. International pupils entering the school adapt very quickly. We have a ‘Buddy System’ and a ‘House System’ that ensure new pupils enter the school with an identity and a friend.
• What are the benefits for Children starting at the Infant School?
For some parents, King’s Infant school offers a smaller and more personal approach than the other sites. It is also conveniently located in the centre of Madrid. Only a small percentage of our children come in by bus and so there is an opportunity to offer more interaction with the parents at drop off and collection times. Our oldest pupils have the opportunity to be the school leaders at the age of seven. We endeavour to offer a family atmosphere.
(October 09)
