Today as we celebrate the International Day of Education 2024 at the British International School Hanoi, a day proclaimed by the United Nations, we hear from Dr Elise Ecoff, Nord Anglia’s Chief Education Officer, explaining why our approach to education is designed to help our students excel no matter what the future might throw at them.
A Nord Anglia education is different. At the British International School (BIS) Hanoi, we want our students to become the creators, the thinkers, the pioneers who’ll make their mark on the world and make it a better place.
This mindset is part of our DNA at Nord Anglia and the family of 88 international schools including BIS Hanoi. An educational approach that goes far beyond academic results so our students leave us with the real-world skills and attitudes to help them thrive no matter what the future throws at them. And it’s never been more important than now. Let’s reflect on the reality most young people are experiencing today. A pandemic, coming out of virtual learning at school and university, working virtually, a cost of living crisis, climate crises, conflict, the march of AI, and the list goes on.
‘An education for tomorrow, today’
Our schools’ students do well academically. But that’s just one part of the story. In our schools, we equip our young people with the skills, mindsets, attitudes that’ll help them navigate tomorrow, today.
At our 88 schools, we think it’s just as important to nurture young people’s wellbeing and resilience so they can deal with life’s knocks. It’s about helping our students develop that quiet, inner confidence that says ‘I’ve got this’. In every lesson, every activity inside the classroom or outside of it, our teachers are creating pathways for our students to develop their knowledge about their subjects, but also their confidence and self-belief too. Every step of the way, we’ll encourage, nurture and celebrate their path towards becoming confident, happy, talented young people.
Our educational philosophy also fosters students’ creativity. Why? It’s so they’re not fazed by new situations and see the ‘art of the possible’ when faced with tough challenges. Too often creativity is regarded as ‘the performing arts’. In our schools, creativity’s just as much about teaching resilience, teamwork and problem solving as it is about creative expression. And let’s face it, the world is going to continue to need creative solutions to the biggest challenges we’re facing.
Another hallmark of a Nord Anglia education is purpose and a global mindset. We’re passionate about inspiring young minds, as individuals and in teams, to find their sense of purpose – in life, in their communities, in work – and become global citizens so they’re just as focussed on paying it forward. It’s a major reason we have our global partnership with UNICEF, so our students don’t see social responsibility as a tick-box item. Instead, it’s part of life and part of them in everything they think and do.
A Nord Anglia education embraces personalised learning to ignite our students’ imaginations. At BIS Hanoi, the academic and pastoral team is dedicated to working closely with each student. We challenge and inspire them to reach their full potential while providing tailored support to help them develop their practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
We know that happy, confident students learn best, and that’s why we tailor every child’s learning path to achieve more than they ever imagined possible.
‘Looking from the outside in’
But don’t just take my word for it. We recently commissioned independent research and spoke to 18 to 25-year-olds from ‘Gen Z’ to better understand – now they’re in the world of higher education and work – the skills and attitudes they think are key for success.
Why Gen Z? Because they’re the generation who are graduating or starting work in a world that’s unlike anything we’ve known in our lifetime.
The top three skills and attitudes they told us that are the most important for a great career were confidence (51%), resilience (44%) and team spirit (43%). All skills that we help our students develop through our curricula taught by our high-quality teachers.
“My time at BIS Hanoi has had a significant impact on my personal development, shaping me into a more well-rounded person. Participating in activities such as sports, which pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and taking on leadership responsibilities not only enhanced my confidence but also offered me a lot of joy throughout my school years,” said Gia Han, an outstanding alumnus from Class of 2023, who is now pursuing a bachelor's degree at Stanford University in the US.
So please know, when you choose BIS Hanoi, a Nord Anglia school, for your child, we’ll give them all the space they need to learn, grow, and explore, so they discover all they can do and all they can be.
At every stage of their Secondary education, students at BIS Hanoi are empowered to “Create their future” by learning essential, transferable skills as part of a bespoke curriculum.
His outstanding performance in these competitions has brought immense pride to the BIS Hanoi community. The results of his hard work and dedication were truly remarkable.
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