Investment in Child Safety at BIS Hanoi

British education has a long tradition of balancing academic rigour with superb pastoral care and guidance.

Dear Parents

I seem to be writing about exams a lot, recently.  For instance, the Year 10 and Year 12 students have just completed their final set of Progress Check Tests for the year. Fortunately, exams have not been our only focus. The wellbeing and safety of the students has been a significant priority for BIS Hanoi, this academic year.

British education has a long tradition of balancing academic rigour with superb pastoral care and guidance. From its famous boarding schools to its excellent state comprehensive system, British education has recognised that every child must be given the care to grow emotionally, whilst being supported to achieve academically.  We have made a significant investment to ensure that all BIS Hanoi families are warmly welcomed, cared for and supported within our British international school.  

This year the academic team have worked more closely with our admissions team to ensure that the needs of new children can be addressed immediately. We have further plans to improve this process including the development of a stronger EAL tracking system that will support the progress of our English language learners.

Safeguarding Training at BIS Hanoi

All staff receive safeguarding training and updates throughout the year.  The term safeguarding refers to all areas of child safety.  From keeping children safe in the playground to ensuring that the situations they encounter away from school, either in the real or cyber world are as risk-free, as possible.  This training ensures that your children enjoy a safe education at BIS Hanoi.  

Next week, Mr Westropp will travel to Hong Kong for advanced training in this area. Both myself and my new Deputy Head, Jay Graham, have had the same training. Together, as a senior leadership team, we will have the skills and knowledge to ensure your child’s school is the safest environment to support challenging and inspiring learning episodes.

Investing in New Ideas at BIS Hanoi

We also want to empower the children and support them to become confident, caring global citizens, with a high level of emotional intelligence. David Sheehan, a Nord Anglia senior leader, and a pastoral expert from Hong Kong, spent nine days with us, recently. He observed the school and praised our existing pastoral care, commenting on our many strengths. David presented some interesting strategic possibilities that have the potential to engage and empower student voice and accelerate the emotional learning of our students. We are excited by these ideas and are considering the best ways to implement them.

Improving our Communication System at BIS Hanoi

James Trett, next year’s Head of Key Stage 3, has considerable expertise in the area of technology and child safety. James has implemented a new child protection/safeguarding information management system. CPOMS will be a key tool in our school’s future. It will provide outstanding communication support to our new pastoral team of Jay Graham (Deputy Head), Edward Westropp (Assistant Head of Pastoral Care), Rob Airdrie (Head of Sixth Form), Rachel Stevenson (Head of Key Stage 4), James Trett (Head of Key Stage 3) and Lori Fairbarn (University and Guidance Counselor).

We have every confidence in this outstanding team of professionals.  Your children will flourish under their safe, caring and supportive guidance.

Tim Webb, Head of Secondary.