FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How do I apply?

  To start the Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong admissions process, you’ll need to complete our online enquiry form above.

  For more information about our international school application processs, or to book a tour of our campus, you are welcome to get in touch with our admissions team: admissions@naispudong.com.

• How long does the full NAIS Pudong admissions process take?

  The forms are not very long and our response time is very quick. Often you'll hear back to us straight away. Once your application is finalised, we hope to give you an official offer within 48 hours.
• How does the admissions process differ if my company is paying the tuition fees?

  Our aim is to make the NAIS Pudong admissions process as straightforward as possible. If your company is paying your child’s school fees, our admissions and finance team will be happy to work directly with your company on financial matters, allowing you to concentrate on your child’s education and well-being. You just need to put us in touch with the right person from the company, and we will handle the rest.

• What makes NAIS Pudong unique?

  At Nord Anglia International School Shanghai, Pudong, our uniqueness lies in the strength of our close-knit international community and our commitment to personalised, world-class education.

  With students from over 40 nationalities, our school is a truly global environment where children grow up learning alongside peers from around the world. But while we’re international in outlook, we are deeply personal in approach. Small class sizes mean our teachers know every student individually, tailoring learning to meet their needs and helping each child thrive both academically and emotionally.

  Our warm, family feel is something visitors notice right away. Students of all ages play and learn together, older children support younger ones, and our loyal parent community is welcoming and involved. Everyone knows each other by name, and there is a strong sense of belonging throughout the school.

  Our beautiful green campus supports this feeling of wellbeing, with large open spaces, natural grass, and outstanding facilities including a 25-metre swimming pool, theatre, sports halls and gymnasiums.

  We also offer exceptional learning opportunities through exclusive global collaborations. Our partnership with MIT encourages innovation through hands-on STEAM projects. Our collaboration with The Juilliard School enriches our performing arts programme. And our work with UNICEF inspires students to take action on global issues and develop into compassionate leaders.

  Our students do not just achieve excellent academic results. They grow into confident, creative global citizens, ready to make a positive difference in the world.

• What kind of qualifications do your teachers hold?

  All our teachers hold a minimum bachelor's degree along with a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) which is a specific and targeted teacher training qualification. Teachers from outside the UK have equivalent qualifications. Many of our teachers have master's degrees or other higher qualifications.

  All teaching assistants (TAs) are degree qualified and are recruited based on their previous teaching experience. They are all bilingual and provide essential language and teaching support in the classroom.

  Our teachers have access to the best professional development opportunities through Nord Anglia University. We bring together teachers from Nord Anglia Education’s 81 schools worldwide to share knowledge and experiences to continually enhance teaching and learning.

   
• What curriculum do you offer, and what are its strengths?

  We offer the English National Curriculum (British Curriculum) with an international focus, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In our Primary School, we adapt the English National Curriculum to best fit our international study body. We make the learning more global, active, and relevant, connecting students to where they are living now and giving them insight into other perspectives, whilst still meeting all the objectives of the English National Curriculum.

  The strength of the English National Curriculum lies in its formal structure. Divided into Key Stages of education, for students from three to 16 years of age, it develops the skills students need to progress, with a rigorous focus on literacy and numeracy and balanced study of other subjects.

  Key Stages at a glance:
  

  •Foundation Stage – Early Years – Nursery and Reception

  •Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2

  •Key Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

  •Key Stage 3 – Years 7, 8 and 9

  •Key Stage 4 – IGCSE – Years 10 and 11

  From the Foundation Stage, our students study Mandarin and our curriculum reflects both our location in Shanghai and our diverse international school community.

  The design of the curriculum is “spiral” so that students develop key skills in each subject as they move through the years, each year building upon and extending their previous skill level and knowledge.

  The fourth Key Stage is Years 10 and 11 when students study the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), a series of externally set and marked examinations which are recognised by education systems around the world.

  Students in Years 12 and 13 study the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, the highly respected qualification recognised by the leading universities.

  For a detailed insight into our curriculum, visit Academic Excellence. Please contact us at any time with questions. We are happy to introduce you to our expert teachers from any subject areas during your visit.

   
• English is not our family’s first language. How will my child be supported at your school?

  We offer a comprehensive and proven English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for students from Year 1 to Year 11, as well as support beyond. Many of our students do not speak English at the level of their year group when they join the school, however our most recent results from externally administered examinations show that within a very short period, students are on track with their peers.

  Our EAL team provides individualised support for students to assist them to fast-track into full participation in the classroom. Every teacher is trained to assist students to continually improve their English through immersion in the classroom Our bilingual teaching assistants are on-hand to support our native Mandarin-speaking students.

  Our programme of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) also classes and activities for non-native English-speaking students and their parents.

   
• What kind of After-School Activity Programme do you offer?

  Our After School Activites (ASAs) are designed to enhance student learning. We believe that every child benefits from getting involved in activities outside of the classroom. Our ASAs cover sport, performance, academics, community, and expression. Students are encouraged to try new things, take risks and give back to the community; essential elements of becoming a life-long learner and leader. 

  We currently offer more than 100 ASAs, taught largely by our own staff. For some specialist activities, expert coaching or teaching is brought in from outside the school and these might involve additional fees payable at the beginning of each term. The ASA programme runs from 3:15 – 4:15pm each school day, with some activities also scheduled before school and at weekends.

  Check out our ASA programme guide here to find out more about how your child can expand the limits of their mental and physical abilities as well as discover and develop their talents with performance and creative pursuits.

• Does my child need a laptop for their studies?

  Students from Year 5 to Year 8 are provided with an iPad mini for use at school and at home. Students in Years 9 -11 are provided with an iPad Pro to reflect the increased workload at this age. We train students on iPad safe usage and teachers regularly check that students are using their devices appropriately.

  We take online and cyber security extremely seriously, and students are taught how to stay safe online during their Guidance lessons.

  Students in our IB Academy (Years 12 and 13) bring their own laptop to school.

  We do also have a range of school computers and iPads that can be used by students throughout the school.
• How does the school communicate with parents?

  We communicate with families in a variety of ways that reflect modern life and communication:

  •Face-to-face conversations, either formally at planned Academic Review Evenings, or informally at parent or teacher request

  •Students receive four formal reports each year, a settling in report after the first month in school and then a report at the end of each of the three terms.

  •Emails and phone calls to and from teachers and parents

  •In the Primary school we use Class Dojo as a platform to send messages and for teachers to post pictures and information about what has been happening in your child’s class

  •Social media include our school Facebook page and our official WeChat account.

  •Students use Microsoft Teams to access their work and keep track of homework.

  •Weekly updates which summarise the week’s highlights and provides important notices of upcoming events and activities.

   
• Is a school lunch provided, and where is the food sourced and made?

  The Eatery, our school canteen, is run by Sodexo, a leading global catering company with the highest standards of food preparation and hygiene. Students may choose from a variety of foods, and we have a healthy food policy which ensures that options are highly nutritious and freshly prepared in our school kitchen. Daily meals include both Western and Asian hot food, a salad bar, and sandwich bar.
• Where do your families live, and do you provide school buses?

  Our school is located in Pudong, Shanghai; just half an hour from the downtown part of the city and even closer to Jinqiao and Lujiazui in Pudong. Students from all over Shanghai attend our school, including from our own neighbourhood of Kangqiao, and we have a fleet of school buses to bring them to and from school.

  Each school bus is supervised by a bilingual bus monitor who is a teaching assistant at the school, and all buses are fitted with seat belts which students are required to wear.  Ask our helpful Admissions team for information about school bus routes during your visit.

   
• As a parent, how can I get involved?

  We encourage all parents to take an active role in school life, and our active Parents Community Association (PCA) is a great place to start. This group of parent volunteers holds regular meetings and coffee mornings to plan and executes our major school events, raise money and provide support to our school charities, and is a great place for parents to make friends. The PCA also organises our class representatives who work directly with class teachers and parents to help with school outings and events, and to bring parents together for fun activities. You can contact the PCA at community@naispudong.com or speak with the Admissions Team who can put you in touch.
• How do you protect students on days which are polluted?

  We are serious about protecting our students from potentially harmful air pollution we have clean air filters in every classroom and all communal areas throughout the school. Even on the highest of pollution days, indoor air quality is better than international health standards.  We maintain our filtration system regularly and always monitor the internal air quality.

  We have an outdoor play policy based on the best available advice from the US Department of Health, the recognised leader in the field. Accordingly, we take regular readings for the Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 (the most dangerous particles) throughout the day at four set times, and more regularly where required. When readings exceed the healthy range, students’ outdoor activities are limited or, during any high pollution, cancelled. 

  As our extensive facilities include three indoor gymnasiums and other suitable indoor spaces, many activities are easily able to be transferred indoors.
  In 2014, the Chinese government developed strict regulations to reduce air pollution in China. The air quality has continually improved and the AQI is at its lowest levels in decades

   
• Do you have a nut or allergy policy?

  We recognise that for some students, particular foods are potentially hazardous and may even cause life-threatening allergic reactions. For that reason, we are a nut-free school. 

  Our two full-time school nurses are highly qualified to always assist and are on call during both school time and during after-hours school events. The school nurses keep detailed records of all students with allergies or other ongoing or occasional medical needs and are always happy to speak with parents about any concerns. If you have questions, the school nurses are available to speak with you during your visit.