Each and every subject plays a key part in providing breadth and knowledge, and in developing diversity of perspective. Moreover, interdisciplinary links are made so that students learn to appreciate and construct a rich and connected tapestry of knowledge and understanding.

Creativity

At BCG, creativity is not restricted to the arts but is an integral part of learning in every subject. The creative process energises learning and develops curious, collaborative, inquisitive, and enthusiastic minds. 

Collaboration

Project-based and collaborative work, presentations and debate as well as dynamic, pupil-centred activities involving art, music, drama and creative writing, are highly valued and sit alongside traditional academic excellence and contribute to our diverse and balanced curriculum. 

Communication

Students are encouraged to develop a wide range of effective communication skills from an early age. Furthermore, our students are skilled linguists and appreciate the importance of language learning. 

Critical Thinking

Our students learn how to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. They are able to engage in reflective and independent thinking in all subjects and activities.

Environment

At BCG we aim to make the classroom a rich and exciting environment where students are encouraged to use their imaginations, to participate in activities at every opportunity presented, and to explore new ideas and challenge themselves in a kind and safe place - a place where students will enjoy taking initiative and growing in confidence as they learn to be the best they can be. 

We are privileged to have a beautiful green site and our generous outdoors spaces are an integral part of our learning environment. Our students acquire the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to shape sustainable futures. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a fundamental academic thread running throughout the school.  

The Individual

We believe that each child is unique and we strive to help them discover their talents and achieve their dreams. BCG embraces and encourages individuality and believes it is an essential aspect of growing up. We celebrate every child’s enthusiasm, talent and contribution to school life, recognising that the IB Learner profile attributes help develop our students as lifelong learners and valuable members of our local and global communities. 

The Community

BCG is a family: we recognise the important role community plays in our everyday lives. By fostering a close connection between students, staff, and parents, in addition to the wider local community, values such as respect, empathy, compassion, care, and ethical self-awareness are harnessed and nurtured. Furthermore, by actively promoting collaboration between families, teachers, and leadership, shared values are developed, communicated and developed ensuring that the school remains exciting, vibrant, and relevant in today's rapidly evolving world.

The World Beyond

At BCG we extend our borders to embrace the world in which we live.  The key to lifelong learning is enabling students to extend the skills learnt in the classroom beyond its walls towards the wider school, and our local, and global communities. We actively support our students in their development as decision-makers, risk-takers, critical thinkers and problem-solving Earth stewards. 

With the aim of building bridges culturally, we encourage knowledgeable and enquiring students who engage with global affairs by developing practical skills and strategic thinking required to face 21st century challenges and opportunities, who strive for principled and open-minded perspectives, and who appreciate their own culture and that of others, and in doing so grow from their experience.

COVID-19 preparations

We wanted to stress here the excellent position we find ourselves in; we have numerous new classrooms of generous size, allowing for large spacing between desks, we have large open outdoor spaces that will be used for lessons whenever possible. Our environment is ideally suited for dealing with this difficult situation in a flexible and safe way.

COVID-19 Committee

We have formed a committee of key staff to manage the schools continued response to COVID-19. The committee comprises: SLT (Principal and Heads of each section), members of the Administration staff, our Kitchen and cleaning Coordinator and a professional healthcare worker that will support and advise us.

Changes to the Timetable

We have made changes to the timetable for Upper Primary and Secondary:

● Lessons are now 45 minutes long.

● There are 8 lessons every day.

ECAP

We have completely revised the Extra Curricular Activities Programme (ECAP) and we offer a Bubble Club service from 16:30 to 17:30.

Trips and Visits

● There will be no external trips running for the moment. We will review the situation as the year goes on.

● There will be limited trips in the local area depending on the situation. Precautions will be taken at all times and we may decide to stop a visit from happening if we feel there is a risk.

COVID-19 Protocols

Our key aim remains that everything we do is safe, well thought through, carefully managed and adheres to current Government guidance.

In accordance with Government guidance, parents will not be allowed to enter inside the school for any reason. Children should come to school in the morning, brought by one adult, and members of the staff will greet them at the school gates.

Students will be asked for the Declaration of Authority signed by the parents for the first day of school and the first day after Christmas holidays.

Families must monitor their children’s health on a daily basis by taking their temperature before coming to school. If your son/daughter has a temperature or any other symptoms (ie dry cough, loss of taste and smell etc) of COVID-19, please ensure they don’t come to school.

General Protocols

Protective Measures

● No-one in school with any symptoms of covid-19

● All staff will be tested before returning to work for the new term

● No parents or visitors in school without prior appointment

● Sanitising hands and shoes on entry to school

● Frequent hand washing throughout the day

● Good respiratory hygiene practices: “catch it, bin it, kill it”

● Regular cleaning of the School, throughout the day as well as in the evening

● Outdoor learning as much as possible and well-ventilated rooms throughout the day

● Parents and children to wait at a safe distance from other families whilst waiting for collection or drop off

● Children must not bring any toys or games to school.

● Please ensure long hair is tied back to avoid unnecessary touching of the face.

Group Sizes

● There is no current government recommendation regarding class size, however we will always keep group sizes as low as we can. We have many large spaces both indoors and outdoors, which allows students to remain separated.

Masks

● All staff will be wearing masks.

● Children under 6 years old are not required to wear masks.

● Of course, children under 6 may wear masks if they wish to.

● Upper Primary and Secondary students must wear masks when moving around the school, between lessons and outdoors.

Toilets

● Each phase will be allocated different toilets. The toilets will be cleaned regularly throughout the day. Students will be told to wash their hands before and after using the toilet.

● Hand sanitiser will be located at each entrance of the school, in the classrooms, toilets and dining room.

Uniform:

● All students should come in their complete uniform and the day they have PE they should come with the sports uniform from home.

● All students will be expected to be dressed smartly according to the guidelines.

Playground and buildings:

● Each year group will be allocated a differentiated space. EYFS, Primary and Secondary will only use their respective buildings and playground areas. Games and physical activities may be performed individually or in small groups to ensure physical distancing measures.

Dining room and snacks:

● All students will receive a snack at break time. This will be given to them outdoors. Students must not bring their own snacks to school but should bring a water bottle. Water drinking fountains will only be used to refill bottles.

● There will be a dining service (lunches) following the government regulations. Our new dining room has been adapted to follow the social distance guidelines and turns will be allocated so each class sits together in designated places, always supervised by our staff.

School bus

● There will be normal bus service. All students using the bus must wear a mask until arrival.

Temperature checks

● BCG staff will take the temperature of any child who feels unwell and remove the child from their class group if they have a high temperature. They will then wait safely in isolation until they are collected from school by a parent and taken home.

Testing our staff

● Staff (Kitchen staff included) will be tested in the school before the start of the school year and after Christmas holidays.