International education is all about fostering understanding, interdependence, communication, cooperation and independence. While public schools can provide a good education and caring teachers, the Barna group, a faith-based research company, recently discovered that many Protestant and Catholic church leaders view public schools as a negative influence on children's faith. The Global Skills Gap report suggests that the narrow horizons of British school dropouts may be due to an over-emphasis on test results and an outdated curriculum that has reduced time for learning about the rest of the world. However, even if your school is not part of the 13 schools in the UK offering the IB primary program, or the 1000+ schools following the international primary curriculum, it is still possible to create an international atmosphere.
Robert Campbell, director of Impington School, believes that having students from different cultures in school is invaluable as it allows students to benefit from a wide range of cultural perspectives. Christian schools have higher expectations for their students in terms of academic achievement and faith. The whole environment of a Christian school encourages students to love Christ. Here are some ways Christian education can make a difference in your child's life:
- Christian schools teach students how to transform the world instead of protecting them from it.
- The IB diploma is gaining popularity and is currently offered by 194 schools, from leading independent schools to comprehensive programs.
- Three quarters of companies think that the UK is in danger of being left behind other countries unless young people think more globally.
By providing an environment that encourages academic excellence and faith, Christian schools can help students become more aware of their place in the world and how they can make a positive impact.
