8 Reasons for Choosing St. Paul’s
1 - Linguistic Objectives
Throughout the world, language is the path to culture and knowledge. It is clear that, in the 21st century, it is the English language which opens the door to a world which is more and more globalised.
From its very beginning, St. Paul’s has given the utmost importance to the study of the English language. Immersion in the language is one of the specific characteristics of our school. In the Infant department, immersion is almost 100%, varying according to the rate at which the children learn to read and write. At St. Paul’s all teachers give classes in their first language.
In the graph below, the distribution of the different languages throughout the school can be seen.
Our pupils take the English examinations of the University of Cambridge - Flyers, Preliminary, First Certificate, Advanced and Proficiency. These certificates make it possible for our pupils to study at any English-speaking university.
Unlike the majority of schools in Barcelona, St. Paul’s gives equal importance to Catalan and Spanish.
French is introduced in the first year of secondary education and is taken by all pupils during the four years of compulsory secondary education. In BXT French is optional.
The four languages taught at St. Paul’s are seen to be the key to the future of our pupils. For some, English will be essential to their professional and personal development, while for others it will be Spanish, Catalan or French. What St. Paul’s guarantees is that all our pupils will have the tools necessary to decide their own future.
We aim for our pupils to be fluent in English, Spanish and Catalan and have a high level of French
2 - Academic Excellence
At St. Paul’s the importance given to languages does not detract from the demands made of our pupils in other areas of the curriculum.
Our objective is academic excellence and the curriculum is planned accordingly. To this effect, we have a highly qualified staff, reduced class sizes, support of the school psychologists, first-class facilities, a close relationship with families and a commitment to high teaching standards.
98% of our families live in Barcelona and want their children to go to university. For acceptance on the degree course of one’s choice, the marks obtained in ‘Selectividad’ and ‘2 Bach’ are decisive. For this reason, great effort goes into encouraging each pupil to achieve his or her maximum potential.
Effort, hard work, dedication, a sense of responsibility and intellectual rigor are the key elements in our programme. In the technological world in which we live, these values are just as valid as ever.
St. Paul’s has a staff of highly- qualified and experienced teachers who are in permanent contact with new methods and developments in the teaching profession; a team of highly-motivated professionals which is the key to the academic excellence we are seeking.
Pupils at St.Paul’s have all the support they need at all times and the school expects and insists on their total commitment during the learning process.
We encourage our pupils to achieve their full potential. We insist on commitment, hard work and dedication throughout the learning process
3 - Character Development
St. Paul’s believes in educating its pupils to enable them to lead full and happy lives. In addition to high academic standards, this also involves promoting the personal development of each pupil as well as encouraging them to behave appropriately in a range of different situations.
Character development involves personal effort, determination, self-control, self-confidence, the setting of goals and their achievement. Ethical values include a sense of responsibility, respect, honesty and an understanding of what is right and wrong.
Character building forms an integral part of the curriculum and requires the collaboration of both teaching and non-teaching staff alike.
The different aspects of character development are
- Adaptability
- On - going learning throughout one’s life
- Organisation, perseverance, independence, autonomy
- Emotional intelligence, communication and negotiation skills
- Leadership skills
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- Leading a healthy life both physically and mentally
- Behaving appropriately
- Tolerance, awareness of the world in which we live
The tutor is a key element in the relationship between the school and the family throughout the pupil’s time at St. Paul’s. In addition to teaching their particular subject, the tutors have a close relationship with their tutor group.
Tutors are responsible for resolving difficult situations, helping and advising their group, informing the families regarding performance and results and, above all, for contributing to character development. They put into practice a programme of workshops the aims of which are:
- Acceptance of and adaptation to diversity
- Managing conflicts
- Creativity in the thought process and in problem-solving
- Responsibility for oneself, for others, for nature and society
We give great emphasis to social awareness and developing a sense of responsibility. We collaborate regularly with foundations and charitable organisations and encourage our pupils to participate in voluntary activities.
Our pupils learn how to: conduct themselves in any situation, take decisions which contribute to their own personal development as individuals and lead a healthy lifestyle. Above all, we are educating pupils who are committed to their environment
4 - A Leader in Information Technologies
St. Paul’s is at the forefront of the new technologies and acutely aware of the impact these have on the learning process. Our IT department is made up of specialists in their field and we are constantly investing in new equipment in order to keep abreast of innovations. The new technologies give us the opportunity to improve our teaching methods by using:
- Interactive whiteboards
- Fibre-optic internet connection and full Wi-fi cover
- One computer per child in 1 ESO and 2 ESO
- Digital content in all subject areas
The introduction of these new technologies into teaching leads us to reconsider the following:
- Methodology: how we transmit knowledge
- Subject matter: what exactly we should teach
- Skills: what skills we should teach our pupils to prepare them for the future
- Pupils: what character traits future generations will need
These technological changes affect and modify our way of teaching, making constant adaptation and in-service training a part of our daily lives.
Technology is becoming increasingly important in helping us to achieve our ultimate objective: effective education.
More and more technology helps as to achieve our ultimate objective: effective education
5 - Curriculum of the Generalitat de Catalunya
St. Paul’s does not follow the British National Curriculum. Our teaching curriculum is the same as that of any other school in Barcelona, the only difference being that a large part of the curriculum is taught in English as set out in our linguistic programme (approved in 1992 and up-dated with the introduction of the LOE in 2009).
Since 2004, the school has received a grant from the Generalidad de Catalunya for education from year P3 (aged 3) to 4 ESO (aged 16).
In our school pupils are given the opportunity to learn in an environment which embraces different cultures. Our families, who for the most part are from Barcelona appreciate the enriching experience to be gained from contact with other cultures and traditions.
St. Paul’s School is a school in Barcelona which is open to the world
8 - From three years old until university
Most of our pupils are with us from the age of three until they start university during which time lasting friendships are formed.
Many parents welcome the opportunity to have their children educated in one institution which offers continuity from infants through to the end of Bachillerato.
St. Paul’s School with each pupil from the age of 3 to university