SSV IB Report | Executive Summary

In September of this year, The British School in the Netherlands (BSN), Senior School Voorschoten (SSV), underwent a comprehensive evaluation by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. This review covered various aspects of the school's overall educational environment and IB provision, including student support, operations, leadership, and governance.

Leadership and Governance

The school's leadership, including those overseeing the IB Diploma and Career-related Programmes, has shown a strong commitment to continuous development and sustainability. This accreditation, and the long lead up involved in preparing for it, was led brilliantly by Joseph Petrykowski. 

An evaluator noted, "The leadership team's dedication to the IB mission is evident in their strategic planning and commitment to ongoing professional development." Another highlight from the report states, "The school benefits from leadership and governance that demonstrates a commitment to providing high-quality learning environments."

Holistic Education

The BSN provides a well-rounded educational experience that balances academic and co-curricular activities. The inclusive and welcoming culture supports a diverse community of staff and students from nearly 90 countries, enhancing the learning experience with a global perspective. One evaluator remarked, "The school's diverse community enriches the educational experience, fostering mutual respect and understanding among students." Additionally, the report highlights:

The school demonstrates their commitment to a holistic approach to education by offering a wide variety of co-curricular activities, some of which are student-initiated.

Student Support Systems

The school's comprehensive support systems effectively meet individual student needs. Personalised support initiatives, such as the student passport, cater to unique learning requirements. This approach has been highly praised, with an evaluator stating:

The student support systems are exemplary, providing tailored assistance that addresses the unique needs of each student.

The report also notes, "The school provides extensive support for students and families making transitions into, and out of, the school and between programmes and learning stages. This support is provided through advice, counselling, and information."

Resources and Communication

The BSN's commitment to effective communication and resource provision is evident through its use of the Compass intranet. The report highlights, "Compass provides students and parents access to a wealth of information on the different programmes and academic stages, aspects of school life and references to attendance, term dates and school reports."

Continuous Improvement

The BSN and SSV are dedicated to ongoing improvement, which is core to the accreditation process. The areas identified for future development include enhancing the academic integrity policy, refining assessment practices, and expanding some specific professional development opportunities for IB teachers.

The school also plans to continue focusing on inquiry-based learning. An evaluator highlighted, "The school's proactive approach to identifying areas for improvement is commendable and reflects a culture of continuous growth." Specific examples of effective learning engagements include "Socratic seminars in English, experimentation in psychology and the physical sciences, and tours of the visual arts student work that clearly demonstrate the focus on developing students as inquirers and thinkers."

Headteacher's Perspective

Patrick Heuff, Headteacher of SSV, remarked, 

"We now have the finalised IB evaluation report. Most pleasingly, the feedback shows the progress and improvement of our IB provision compared to the last evaluation five years ago. The team leading the IB programme at SSV has worked hard to build on and enhance the offer and experience, which makes this report and positive evaluation particularly gratifying.

This report not only affirms our progress but also recognises what makes SSV, and the BSN as a whole, unique: our ability to blend creativity, confidence, and academic excellence in a future-focused environment.

The IB has found that The British School in the Netherlands, Senior School Voorschoten, aligns strongly with IB standards and is committed to continuous improvement. The insights and ongoing partnership with the IB Programme will ensure SSV's and the BSN's continued development and success, ensuring that students in our care will continue to be well-supported, make progress, and achieve their goals.