Swiss school to develop secondary campus

The Geneva English School, located on Lake Geneva in Switzerland, has announced its plans to develop a secondary school. A Year 7 intake will begin from September 2016 on the current primary campus, with a new secondary campus for September 2017.

Geneva English School, which was established in 1961, has until now, provided learning only for primary and early years children. Throughout the last fifty years, it has actively worked to maintain its small school ethos, limiting its intake to fewer than 300 children to ensure that the personal and academic development of every individual child is met.

“The secondary school will continue this same focus and, in so doing, provide an alternative choice amidst the many expansive international schools within the region, some of which have student populations in excess of 1,500,” says Mark Williams, Chairman of the GES Board of Governors.

The development by Geneva English School will be good news for the expatriate and local families living in and around Geneva, particularly those who have already chosen the primary school for its size and community spirit as well as its strong academic standards.

Headmaster Stephen Baird adds: “Being surrounded by nature with the expanse of Lake Geneva in front of us and the stunning view of Mont Blanc, and the fact that our buildings are small and not intimidating, means that children feel settled and eager to learn almost immediately. Importantly, everyone, both teachers and students know each other. We intend to encompass this same school community spirit within our new secondary school.”

The secondary school, which will be located on a separate campus in the vicinity of the primary school, will extend further from 2017 onwards to cater for students all the way to 18 and entry to university. The school will follow the National Curriculum of England with an international context, and offer IGCSEs.