Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding on the right school for your child is difficult. There is much to consider to ensure you and your child choose a school that meets your needs and expectations and delivers long-lasting results to ensure your child is armed with the skills to succeed in the world. Below we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions, to which we have given answers to help you with your school selection process. If you have specific queries or simply want to ask more questions, please do email us at admissions@gis.edu.gh or call the Admissions Office on 0302 777 7163.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

Which curriculum do you offer?

Ghana International School offers the English National Curriculum from Nursery right through to Sixth Form. In year 6, pupils take the externally marked Cambridge Primary Checkpoint examinations in English, Mathematics, and Science. In Form 5 students are expected to sit the Cambridge International IGCSE examinations and in Upper Sixth, they will be required to sit the Cambridge International A-level examinations. The language of instruction is English.

Does GIS have boarding facilities?
Yes. The Ghana International School Boarding Programme (GISBP) has been established as a complementary programme in furtherance of the School’s efforts toward providing a diverse school experience, life skills and holistic development of its students.
What time does your school day begin and what time does it end?

The school day begins at 7.45am and ends at 2.00pm for Infant school students, 2.40pm for Junior school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 2.00pm on Wednesdays. The Secondary School students finish at 3.00pm.

How many breaks do the students have in a school day?

There are two breaks for the Primary School pupils. Secondary students have one break . The times vary per section and feature in the student handbook, which will be given to parents at the beginning of the school year.

Is there a school lunch service, or can my child bring in their own food?

School canteens are situated on both the Primary School campus and the Secondary School campus. A pre-paid cooked meals service is available for Primary School students. Secondary students are issued with a card which can be loaded with credit and swiped to pay for canteen services. Students also have the option of bringing in packed lunch to school.

How many nationalities are represented at Ghana International School?

Currently, there are 45 different nationalities represented at Ghana International School.

How big are your class sizes?

Class sizes are restricted to no more than 28 in a class. In the Primary Section, each class has a dedicated, qualified teacher and full time teaching assistant. In the Secondary School, form tutors are assigned to each class. Each department also has at least one dedicated full time teaching assistant.

Where are your teachers from?

Ghana International School is proud of the diversity amongst its student body and faculty. We have teachers from Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, the UK, the US, Canada, Burkina Faso, to name but a few.

Do you have a co-curricular programme?

Ghana International School has a co-curricular programme which means that non-academic activities are acknowledged as being just as important as classroom learning. In the Primary School there are more than 20 different clubs available for students in Class 2 to Class 6. Clubs include Drama club, Book club, Debate club, Football club, Choir and Drumming. In the Secondary School there is also a diverse range of clubs on offer including the Yearbook Committee, Community Service, Badminton, Music and many more.

Do you wear uniform?

Every child from Reception Class to Upper Sixth is required to wear uniform. Primary School boys must come to school in plain white, button-down short sleeve shirts and school grey or navy blue shorts. Girls are required to wear a vertically striped green and white dress (the fabric and pattern can be purchased from the school hardware store). In the Secondary School, boys in Forms 1 to 5 are required to wear plain white, button-down short sleeve shirts and black or dark grey trousers or shorts and girls wear a blouse and below-the- knee length skirt or maxi skirt made from the GIS striped green and white fabric. In the Sixth Form, boys wear a sky blue short sleeve shirt with black trousers or shorts and girls wear a white blouse with their striped green and white skirt. There is no uniform for Nursery School students.

English is not my child's first language. Can we still enroll them?

As an international school, we recognize that our students come from very different backgrounds and many may not speak English as a first language. GIS has dedicated ESL teachers on both campuses to support students who speak English as a second language. Your child will be assessed in order for us to develop a personal learning plan that will meet the needs of your child and ensure a successful academic outcome.

My child has a disability. Will they still be accepted at the school?

The School’s motto: Understanding of Each Other is embedded in all that GIS does. We welcome children from all backgrounds, race, creeds and abilities. We have a number of children with learning difficulties and disabilities thriving at the school. As with all children, you child will be assessed and meetings will be held with the parents and teachers to ensure that GIS can accommodate your child’s needs effectively.

PROSPECTIVE PARENTS

NURSERY

1. Which curriculum do children follow at the Nursery level?
GIS offers the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 of the British National  Curriculum.

2. What ages are Nursery children?
 3-4 year old.  According to the British National  Curriculum age chart your child should be 3 by 31st August of the academic year, to qualify for Nursery.

3. How are entry assessments carried out?
The entry assessment for Nursery consists of a few age-appropriate tasks that will take place with one of the Foundation stage teachers.
The simple short tasks cover basic math skills, early stages of literacy skills and early mark-making.  The culture of assessment delivery at GIS is very nurturing and supportive.

4. Does my child have to be potty-trained before enrolling?
It is a requirement that your child is potty-trained before enrolling.

5. How many children are in each class?
There are two Nursery classes with no more than 15 children in each class.

RECEPTION

1. Which curriculum is run for Reception? Foundation Stage of the British Curriculum.

2. What ages are Reception?:  (4 and 5-year-olds)  According to the British curriculum age chart your child should attain age 4 by 31st August of the academic year, to qualify for Reception.

3. How many children are in each class? There are four Reception classes (4 and 5-year-olds) with up to 22 children in each class.

4. How are entry assessments carried out?The entry assessment for Reception consists of a few age-appropriate tasks that will take place with one of the Foundation stage teachers.

The simple short tasks cover basic math skills, early stages of literacy skills and early mark-making.  The culture of assessment delivery at GIS is very nurturing and supportive.

YEAR 1

1. Which curriculum is run for Yr. 1? Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) of the English system.

2. What ages are Yr. 1:  (5 and 6 years old) According to the British curricular age chart your child should attain age 5 by 31st August of the academic year, to qualify for Yr. 1.

3. What is the dress code for Yr. 1 pupils:  All year one pupils wear the GIS subscribed uniform.  

4. How many children are in each class? There are four Class 1 classes (5 and 6 year olds) with up to 22 children in each class.

YEAR 2

1. Which curriculum is run for Yr.2?
Key Stage 1 (classes 1 and 2) of the English system.

2. What ages are Yr.2?
(6 and 7-year-olds):  Per the British curricular age chart your child should attain age 6 by 31st August of the academic year.

3. How many children are in each class?
There are four  Class 2 classes (6 and 7-year-olds) with up to 22 in each class.

4. What time does school begin?:
 School begins at 7:30 a.m. The bell rings at 7:45 a.m. by which time, all pupils should be in the classroom. Classes start at 8:00 a.m. 

5. What time does school close?:  School closes at 2:00 p.m. prompt each day.

6. How safe are the children on school campus?
The school uses smartsapp to check the entries and departures of the pupils and students in and from the school.  Only an authorised adult is allowed to pick up the child.

7. Does the school run a transportation system?
No

CATERING

1. Does the school have catering providers?
Yes.  However, children can also bring their own snacks/food. The child should bring it to school in the morning.  Food cannot be brought in when classes are in session.

2. Can a parent opt to bring their child food from home?
This is allowed. 

3. What snacks are not allowed in the school?
The school does not allow fizzy drinks and processed foods.

ATTIRE

1. Are moslem pupils allowed to wear hijab?:
The moslem parent can opt for the wearing of hijab.

2. Can a moslem pupil pray on campus?: 
GIS is a non-religious school and we do not have a facility for such.

3. How many times do children go on break?
Snack Time:  1st Break (Snack) 9.00 – 9.30 a.m.  and 2nd Break (Main food) 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.

4. Does the school have a Wellness centre?
The school has a well equipped wellness centre.  

5. If my child is allergic to a substance how can a parent communicate it to the school? 
You will receive an allergy form to be completed by the parent, after a successful assessment.

6. What school supplies does my child need for school?
This is included in the Admission Package, in which parents will receive information from your child’s class team.

7. What facilities are available for Infant pupils?:
In addition to brightly-decorated classrooms, children have access to a Primary School Library, a Music Department, a French room and an ICT lab. In addition, there is a Sports field, a basketball court, a nursery garden, two assembly halls, a state-of-art cafeteria and three small play areas.

SUPPORT SYSTEM

1. Does the school have an on-campus clinical/educational psychologist?
The School has a qualified Guidance Counsellor.  She is available for both parents and pupils through self-referral or referrals by the Vice Principal.

2. If a parent is not happy with a staff member’s behaviour who can they report to? 
The sectional Vice Principal of your child will be available to handle a parent or pupil’s concerns

3. On what basis can a parent be allowed to pick up their child before school closes? 
A parent can pick their child up for either a medical appointment or for travel reasons.