Admission

Age Placement

There are two levels within the Early Years. Nursery is for children who have turned 3 years of age by September 1st in the year of entry; Reception is for children who have turned 4 years of age by September 1st in the year of entry. 

Language Proficiency 

Immersion in the English language is usually sufficient for children to quickly develop proficient English language skills. On this basis, children may be admitted to Nursery and Reception regardless of their level of English proficiency.

Our teachers are trained to support language acquisition and learning by non-native English speakers. 

Screening and Interviews  

All children applying for admission are asked to come to the school for an interview before formal acceptance can be offered. The interview, which enables applicants and teachers to meet and interact with each other in the actual school environment, helps to identify any issues that may affect the applicant’s ability to comfortably access the programme, while also serving as an informal orientation for the children who are accepted to Nursery and Reception. 

Other Entry Requirements 

Special Needs. Applicants with mild social/emotional issues, learning difficulties or other special needs are referred to our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) for evaluation. The decision to admit the child will be made by the Principal based on the recommendation of the SENCO. Unfortunately the school does not have the required facilities for wheelchair-users. 

Bathroom. All Early Years students must be independent in using the bathroom. 

Age Placement 

Placement in all years is strictly determined by age as of September 1st in the academic year of entry. Students come to the British International School in Ukraine from many different countries with varying school calendars and enrolment age practices. Our September 1st cut-off date and age placement policy reflect what we believe to be the most appropriate classification for the social, emotional and academic wellbeing of children attending the school. Therefore, while we recognise that some parents may wish to have their children placed in classes reflecting their home country systems, to ensure the most appropriate learning environment for all students in the Primary School, we do not allow exceptions to the above age placement policy. 

Language Proficiency

Immersion in the English language is usually sufficient for children to quickly develop proficient English language skills. However, it is recognised that extra support may be needed for children entering the primary school with little or no English. In year groups 1 to 5 there is an assistant teacher working in each class with additional English as additional language support provided for Year 6 if deemed necessary.

Screening and Interviews

Children applying for admission to Years 1–6 are required to have a meeting with the Principal and/or the Head of School. Reviewing an applicant’s eligibility, we look at the current/prior school records. If the student cannot provide previous school records, a formal interview is required to assess their ability to access the curriculum.

Other Entry Requirements

Class Organisation. Our classes are limited to 21 pupils from Reception to Year 6. When these numbers are reached a waiting list system will apply. However, the school reserves the right to allow one additional member in any class from Reception upwards if the child seeking a place comes from a native English speaking and/or international family. Special Needs. Applicants with mild social/emotional issues, learning difficulties or other special needs are referred to our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) for evaluation. The decision to admit the child will be made by the Principal based on the recommendation of the SENCO. Unfortunately the school does not have the required facilities for wheelchair-users.

Age placement for Years 7–13 is made according to the September 1st cut-off date. The age and grade placement categories. Age placement for Secondary School is usually observed according to the above protocol. At the discretion of the Principal, exceptions may be made if a student is already established in an equivalent class in another school system (for example, students transferring from schools in the Southern Hemisphere) and is considered able to access the relevant British International School in Ukraine curriculum for the year group.

Language Proficiency

Years 7–9 students are expected to have sufficient competency in English in order to benefit from our academic programmes. Should we have some concern regarding an applicant’s ability to access the curriculum, we test their level of English, and if necessary the school will consider options that would allow the child to receive additional English as additional language support within the school. During Years 10–11, we offer challenging academic programmes geared towards students who are planning to go on to a college or a university in Europe, North America and other areas of the world. At this level, students must have a fairly high degree of competency in English. All students applying to Secondary School must provide school records for the previous two academic years and/or other documentation regarding their level of English language proficiency. They may also be asked to take an academic assessment test. Provided the academic ability is evidenced, the school will consider options that would allow the child to receive additional English as additional language support within the school.

Screening and Interviews

Children applying for admission to Years 7–9 as well as Years 10–13 are required to have a formal interview, which should be done with at least one of the child’s parents/guardians. As part of the interview process, the applicant will be required to take a formal test in both English and mathematics. In reviewing the applicant’s eligibility we look at his/her school records if we have some question regarding the applicant’s ability to access the curriculum. With the advanced level of the education programme in Years 10–13 it may be deemed that the child may not enter the school if it is felt that their English language skills will make it impossible to access the exams that would follow. The School requires that international students coming from outside the borders of Ukraine that is not from a Russian speaking country have the student records written in English or translated into English from the applicant’s previous school before any student is accepted. These records may include reports, transcripts, and results of standardised tests, any reports by a counsellor or psychologist and recommendations. The School reserves the right to contact the applicant’s previous school prior to acceptance.

Other Entry Requirements 

Class Organisation. Our classes from Years 7 to 11 are limited to 20 pupils per class. The maximum IB Diploma class size will be 15. When these numbers are reached a waiting list system will apply. However, the school reserves the right to allow one additional member in any class from Reception upwards if the child seeking a place comes from a native English speaking and/or international family.

Special Needs. Applicants with mild social/emotional issues, learning difficulties or other special needs are referred to our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) for evaluation. The decision to admit the child will be made by the Principal based on the recommendation of the SENCO. Unfortunately the school does not have the required facilities for wheelchair-users.