Four-Forest Bilingual International School

Infobox School
name = Four-Forest Bilingual International School
native_name = Zweisprachige Internationale Schule


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streetaddress = Maihofstrasse 95a
city = CH-6006 Luzern
country = Switzerland
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headteacher = Liz Jochum, Helena Jurt, Elizabeth Häfliger
faculty = 10
roll = 80
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age range = 3-13
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language = English, German
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established = 2007
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homepage = [http://www.four-forestschool.ch/ Four-Forest Bilingual International School]

Four-Forest Bilingual International School is a private school located in Lucerne, Switzerland. Founded in 2007, it has around 80 students, whose ages range from 3 to 13.

Die zweisprachige internationale Schule wurde im Frühjahr 2007 gegründet. Mittlerweile werden bereits rund 80 Schüler und Schülerinnen in sechs Abteilungen unterrichtet. Der Unterricht findet in kleinen Gruppen statt. Angeboten werden eine Spielgruppe/Vorschule (ab 3 Jahren), eine Waldspielgruppe, ein Kindergarten und eine Primarschule. Der Unterricht erfolgt wochenweise abwechselnd in englischer und deutscher Sprache. Die Schule befindet sich in am weltbekannten Rotsee in Luzern.

Bilingual Education

The school follows a unique curriculum which has been carefully put together using the local Swiss curriculum and elements from the British National Curriculum. This curriculum begins in Pre-School with the 3-year old children and is followed by all children until 6th Grade. The children are taught equally in both English and German on a weekly basis (one week German, one week English).

The core subjects in the academic curriculum are: English, German, Maths, French, Science, History and Geography. We also ensure that every child has the following lessons each week: Art, Design Technology, Drama, ICT, Music, PE and PHSE (Physical, Health and Social Education)

Primary school

The Primary School at Four-Forest is a full-time programme. The unique bilingual curriculum uses the local Swiss curriculum and elements from the British National Curriculum. The children are taught equally in both English and German on a weekly basis (one week German, one week English). All Grades are taught by two fully qualified and experienced mother-tongue teachers.

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten curriculum is informed by a rigorous knowledge of children’s development as learners. It builds on what they already know and can do and what they are keen to learn next. Children start Kindergarten the August after the fifth birthday and are taught primarily by two teachers – one English mother-tongue and one German mother-tongue.

The children are taught on a weekly basis – one week English followed by one week German.The lively curriculum has a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy, and includes science, history, geography, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), P.E (Physical Education), dance, drama, music, art and craft.

Pre-school

Four-Forest’s Pre-School department gives young children their all important introduction to the learning environment from the age of three years. Play is the language of childhood and is an essential tool to introduce children to those concepts which are central to successful learning. In a carefully planned environment, children are taught how to learn, how to find things out, how to turn interests into knowledge and how to develop fully their natural aptitude for learning. Early years activities include sand, water, modelling, arts and crafts, construction, books, games, puzzles and role-play. As the children develop, their skills in reading, language and numbers are fostered to provide a secure basis for literacy and numeracy.

Forest school

The outdoor classroom encourages an appreciation of the natural world and builds self-esteem and confidence. This is achieved through weekly visits to a special woodland site. The philosophy of an outdoor classroom is to encourage and inspire children through positive experiences and participation in engaging and motivating achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment, helping to develop personal, social and emotional skills.

Children need time to thoroughly explore their thoughts, feelings and relationships. This develops understanding of the world, the environment and everything within it through use of their emotions, imagination and senses.

In the Forest school children gain confidence in their own ability. Kinaesthetic learners [learning by doing] are particularly suited to learning in this woodland outdoor environment.

After school activities

Many extra curricular activities that students wish to participate in are offered:

1 Private Music Classes
2 School Choir
3 Drama
4 Chess Club
5 Art & Design
6 Football
7 Private Ballet Classes
8 Homework Club

Currently private chinese language lessons are considered to be offered as well.

Location

The world famous rowing lake "Rotsee" in Lucerne provides the perfect setting for the school. A playground at school, a large playing field on the lake side and a woodland playground in the surrounding area offer ample space for the children to play and relax. The school is approximately five minutes from the motorway exit and may be reached from Lucerne’s main train station by bus (number 1 in the direction of "Maihof") in five minutes.