The School
St. George’s is a group of three international schools spread across Germany which share a strong common ethos and structure.
Our schools cater for pupils from ages 2-18 and are split into primary and secondary sections. Each section is divided into departments, which correspond to the Key Stages of the National Curriculum.
We follow the National Curriculum for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and embrace the flexibility provided by recent changes to ensure that topics are relevant to children developing in an international context. Alongside English, Mathematics and Science, German is also a core subject and is allocated appropriate time on the timetable. First language German speakers follow the local curriculum for the language, and all German lessons are provided by specialist teachers.
In Upper School (KS4), students prepare International GCSE examinations in 8-10 subjects. These are prepared with Cambridge International Examinations. All students study English, Mathematics, Science, German and a Social Science, plus a range of options, in order to fulfil local requirements. We are proud of our results, especially given that we are a non-selective school with the majority of our learners having English as a second language.
Our Sixth Form students, aged 16-18, prepare the International Baccalaureate Diploma. We offer a broad range of options in this area to suit students’ interests and aspirations. Our IB results have typically been strong.
The maximum class size is 20, and classes are typically smaller for International GCSE and IB options. There are three classes, or a maximum of 60 pupils, in each year group. We are a non-selective school, but students must have a minimum level of English to enter the secondary department. Academic prerequisites are in place for access to International GCSE and IB courses.
Teachers are in place to support those with special educational needs or learning English as a second language. Teaching assistants support learning in the primary school.
Our pupils come from a wide range of backgrounds. A number of pupils come from the local area and have joined us seeking an alternative to the German education system. Others join us from the ex-pat and international community, and we have over 80 nationalities represented within our schools. For the vast majority of our pupils, English is a second or additional language. However, most master the language perfectly, having been educated in English from a young age.
Our school in Cologne is located on the outskirts of the city, in the leafy suburban village of Rondorf. The suburb is well-connected to the city’s transport network, with regular buses linking Rondorf to the city centre and central train station, as well as to other districts in the south and west of the city. It is only a few stops to connect to the city’s efficient tram network. The Cologne-South motorway junction is only 5 minutes’ drive away, linking to the city’s orbital route and the main Cologne-Bonn motorway. The airport is only 20 minutes’ drive from the school.
Rondorf is a self-contained district with all local services at hand. Areas in the south and west of the city are among the most desirable, with proximity to the river, university and good transport links making an attractive mix of peaceful, family oriented spaces and more lively areas.
The school’s campus was purpose built in 2009, following a move from smaller premises. It houses modern facilities for all ages. There is an on-going development plan, to ensure that the building and school grounds continue to meet the evolving needs of our pupils and families.
The Cologne school also has a Boarding House attached, where approximately 50 pupil live. The boarding house is a self-contained facility, with resident tutors caring for the students’ needs outside of school hours. Although we welcome support in boarding activities from all staff, this is not a standard expectation of a teaching role.
Our school is located in the residential suburb of Ungelsheim, situated directly between the centres of Duisburg and Düsseldorf. The school lies close to the U79 tram and S1 rapid transit lines, which connect both cities and provide good links to the wider Rhein-Ruhr area. The local suburban bus network passes directly by the school building. The school also enjoys rapid and easy access to the local motorway network, with the closest junction less than five minutes from the school. Düsseldorf International Airport is only a 20 minute drive away.
Ungelsheim is a quiet residential neighbourhood, to the south of Duisburg and north of Düsseldorf. A wide range of amenities are located only a short walk from the school.
The school moved to its current campus in 2011, where we developed the site of an existing school. The school’s facilities provide a modern learning environment for pupils across all subjects. Nevertheless, development is on-going, with further improvements planned in key areas over the coming years.
Unlike our school in Cologne, we do not have a boarding facility – all pupils are day pupils.
Our school is located in the lively district of Freimann, to the north of the city centre. The school is well connected to the local transport network and is easily accessible by car or public transport. The school lies in the direct vicinity of Kieferngarten, served by the U6 underground line, as well as the local bus network. It also enjoys direct access to the city ring, which connects all major routes in the city, as well as the motorway network. Munich airport is located approximately 30 kilometres to the north of the school’s location.
The school is easily accessible from popular districts of the city, many of which enjoy a combination of lively streets packed with restaurants and bars and pleasant residential areas.
The school was opened in 2013 and has grown rapidly since. We opened as a primary school, but now also have a burgeoning secondary department offering IGCSE, International Baccalaureate and BTEC courses.
Our school building is an impressive purpose-built facility that we moved into during August 2017. The site has been developed to the highest of standards and will meet all curriculum needs, as well as providing a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities.