Geneva English School, an international primary school that has been in operation for more than 50 years, is moving into the secondary sector for the first time with a new school in the Swiss city.
Set to open later this year, the secondary school comes when demand for international school places in Geneva is high, figures from ISC Research show.
“The space should enable children to co-operate, be creative in a group, and learn how to learn”
“Most of Geneva’s premium international schools have less than 10% spare capacity and waiting lists,” said Susan Krumrei, Head of Field Research and Consultant for Europe at ISC Research.
“This is good news for families seeking international secondary options in and around Geneva.”
GES Secondary will open three kilometres from the primary school in the municipality of Genthod.
Dutch educational architect Dirk Jan Postel was commissioned to design a dynamic learning environment for the building’s interior.
“In contrast with the school of the past (with classrooms along a corridor), we are creating an inspiring atmosphere with contrasting elements suited for different functions: soft and quiet; technical and dynamic; primitive and raw; sophisticated and refined,” said Postel.
“The space should not only teach the children knowledge, but enable them to cooperate, be creative in a group, and learn how to learn.”
The school has already enrolled an initial class of year 7 students, who are studying in a space designed by Postel on the current GES campus.
From September 2017, the school will offer places for students in years 8 and 9, after which a new year of study will be added each subsequent academic year.
Enrolment will be kept low, in line with the primary school, which currently has around 300 pupils enrolled.
Mark Williams, chairman of the GES board of governors, said by providing smaller classroom sizes, GES Secondary aims to provide an “alternative choice amidst the many expansive international schools within the region, some of which have student populations in excess of 1,500”.
Founded in 1961, Geneva English School is one of only a few schools worldwide that is accredited by both the Council of British International Schools and the Independent Association of Prep Schools.
