Unique to LIL

Bilingualism

Students can join our Early Years section with neither French nor English and through our unique teaching methods, will become bilingual. Students are immersed in both languages with one French and one English native-speaking qualified teacher and the additional support of a TA. This low teacher-to-student ratio results in a speedy language acquisition and happy, safe, engaged children.

In Primary, the school days alternate being taught in English and in French and we have additional FLE and EAL specialists to support your child. We have developed a unique, shared pedagogy that encompasses statutory elements of both the French and English curriculums.

In secondary, students choose either the French Track (Brevet and Bac/BFI) or the International Track (IGCSEs and IBDP). Whilst students in the different tracks have separate classes, they form one cohort and have a number of shared activities together to foster an international collaboration. The French track offers enhanced English, and the International track, enhanced French. Students can join our school up to year 10 without any French.

Opening Minds

From Chinese Calligraphy and Painting to Molecular Science and Astronomy, our Opening Minds classes are mandatory for all students from Year 7 to Year 10 (6ème to 3ème), and form part of our curriculum.

These classes go beyond the regular curriculum and offer a space to think deeply and critically on intellectual pursuits.  There are no grades or exams and students of different ages come together and learn about topics that go beyond the curriculum. They are a away to expand students’ horizons and develop their appetite for learning.  These classes often spark the interest of students so much that they are inspired to study these topics at university.

The main goal of this unique programme is to make sure students learn to ask questions, not just  find answers. Participants may not be able to resolve every dilemma because the subject is meant to be difficult; it’s about learning to overcome difficulties and solving problems individually and collectively. The content is meant to be challenging and the subjects very specific — and intriguing — to appeal to the curiosity of students.  The classes are taught by our own teachers and constitute an important part of the mandatory curriculum.

Students must sign up every semester for two different Opening Minds classes per week, around 15 sessions per semester.  All age levels are mixed together. Students’ work in those classes does not incur formal grades but comments and guidance are frequent.

Teachers are encouraged to teach something related to their subject at the highest possible level, equivalent to the first or second year of a university course. It’s a dream class for them, as well, because they can teach subjects  they feel especially passionate about to small groups of students (15 maximum per class) in a low-stress atmosphere  with no marking or grading.

Outdoor Learning

Students benefit from a 5 acre green, leafy campus just two tube stops from Baker Street. Exploring our surroundings is key to nurturing creativity and every week, Early Years students are able, through “Forest Days”, to experiment with a limitless range of feelings while interacting with plants and animals.

In Secondary, students have outdoor resources for sports and recreational activities and Fryent Park – just a 5 minute walk away – covers 103 hectares of countryside and is used for Sports Day and other events.

Use of technology

We are an Apple Distinguished School and have been recognised as a centre of leadership and academic excellence. Digital devices complement, not replace, traditional pedagogy and provide a versatile means to differentiate the learning experience and encourage creativity and collaboration. Our Director of Academic Research and Innovation is the search engine of pedagogy in the school. He supports our teaching body by delivering bespoke training to further the learning experience of our students.

We are a Common Sense School and ensure our young, digital citizens stay safe and are capable of confidently filtering a sea of unchecked information to form and express their own opinions.

Duke of Edinburgh

The international Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, bringing together practical experiences, life skills, and fun. It operates in more than 140 countries and has encouraged more than 8 million young people to improve their skills, service, and physical recreation, as well as to complete adventurous journeys.

Universities and employers look favourably on Bronze, Silver, or Gold International Awards because they demonstrate a student’s commitment to goal-setting and achievement.

The first three sections in the Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award are already part of a Lycée Winston Churchill education and our students love outdoor activities, so it made perfect sense to combine the LIL after-school programme and the Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award to add coherence and further opportunities to our non-academic programme.

Over 100 of our students are currently involved in this Award.

EPQ

For students applying to a UK university through UCAS, the Extended Project qualification (EPQ) is a university level course which is taken alongside the regular curriculum.

The project is based on a research topic of their own choice. It can be related to a subject outside of their current areas of study.  This is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate their interest in the course they are applying for.

Undertaken individually, the students must

• Propose their own topic
• Keep a log of their learning journey
• Meet regularly with a supervisor who will provide guidance and support
• Conduct research
• Make a presentation of their research to a non-specialist audience
• The project can be in the form of a 5,000 word essay or report, or an artefact  such as a musical composition, a short film, a website, piece of software, a design or blueprints, or dramatic project, backed up with paperwork of over 1,000 words

CAS (as part of the IBDP)

Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements that every student must complete as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Studied throughout the Diploma Programme, CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies.  It is not formally assessed but students reflect on their CAS experiences as part of the IBDP, and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes for CAS.

More information can be found about CAS here.