Istanbul International Community School (IICS)

www.iics.k12.tr

It was a 5:30 am start today since the trip to school involved a tram ride to Kabatas, a funicular journey from there to Taksin Square and a bus trip to the school. We had checked out the route and timing the day before - nothing like reducing the margin for error! Principal Sean Murphy and his wife Susan met me at Taksin Square just after 7 am since he had doubts about the reliability of the bus because of some problems they had been having. We were able to engage in professional and personal discussion on the 45 minute journey to the school.

IICS occupies two sites; the Hisar campus in Istanbul has 90 children (ages 3-9) and is under the day-to-day management of the vice principal; the Marmara campus is about 25 km from Istanbul and accommodates ages 3-18. I visited the Marmara campus and was hosted by Sean and his very friendly and helpful staff. I also had the good fortune to be able to spend some time with Jeremy Lewis, Head of School.

Founded in 1911, IICS is a private, non-profit, coeducational pre K-12 school serving Istanbul’s international community. Enrolment is open to holders of non Turkish passports.

The school is accredited to offer IBO programmes for PYP, MYP and Diploma. It is also accredited by the Council of International Schools (ICS) and the New England Association of schools and Colleges (NEASC).

In its primary student information handbook the school affirms that in its education policies and practices there will be nothing contrary to the interests of national security, to the activities of the Turkish Nation or to its national values.

All children are transported, mostly by bus, from the city. A few children live in an area near the campus. Travel from the city can add 1.5 to 2 hours to the school day for children. Most staff also live in Istanbul; a staff bus carries them to and from school each day; at the end of the day I rode back to Taksin Square with them.

The school has a rural setting and facilities are excellent with primary and secondary classrooms housed in separate wings of the 3 level building. While my interest was in the primary area, one could not help but notice how some facilities are shared by all students; e.g. gymnasium, cafeteria, library, auditorium, courts and fields.

The curriculum is organised within the framework provided by the IBO Primary Years programme. A high degree of collaboration within and across grade levels is expected in order to ensure a strong plan is achieved across the primary section of the school. This provides consistency and continuity for children who may very well continue in the school beyond the tenure of their teachers. Year 6 children’s exhibition work was interesting, colourful and well displayed in the ample corridors; it also showed some high quality thinking of which the children can be well pleased.

Our teachers would be envious of class sizes which were all less than 20 with some being as low as 15!

The visit to IICS was really worth the 5:30 am start!

This picture was taken from the gymnasium looking back at the school. The front entrance is on the other side.












The school has an international focus and this theme - same as our 2008 theme is illustrative of that.


Year 6 exhibition displays in the foyer.