Where learning is more than academics

Globeducate has three schools in Portugal – Nobel Algarve British International School, Lagoa and Almancil, and IPS Cascais.

As part of the core skills students develop during their time at Globeducate schools, students are encouraged to develop a wide range of future competencies, including critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and citizenship skills. Strong communication–both written and verbal– is also a key focus. As schools often do quite well on the written aspect, Globeducate places particular emphasis on oracy skills to ensure students leave school confident in their voice and equipped with the right vocabulary to effectively express themselves. Equally important is the cultivation of a growth mindset, encouraging students to embrace resilience and adaptability–essential skills for navigating life beyond the classroom. “We want to move away from a fixed mindset and focus on growth, where the emphasis is on the journey rather than the destination,” said Mr Polansky. It is important for students to have a deep sense of global citizenship, environmental responsibility, and a strong sense of self-awareness.

Committed

When it comes to the classroom, Globeducate is committed to providing an inclusive, engaging, and well-rounded education. They pride themselves on being non-selective with their students, welcoming students with a wide range of abilities and different learning styles. Classrooms are intentionally designed to foster a sense of belonging, ensuring students feel safe, supported, and motivated to engage. Additionally, they are actively looking for new methods of providing personalised education to facilitate learning for students with different learning styles. Thoughtfully integrating technology with an emphasis on teaching digital responsibility, finding the right balance between innovation and learning–where technology is used effectively and ethically–is key to their approach.

A strong focus is also placed on emotional learning. Recognising that emotional wellbeing is inseparable from academic performance, the school prioritises social and emotional safety. Students cannot thrive academically if they are emotionally unsettled when arriving to classes. “Making sure that everyone is comfortable, socially and emotionally, and calm enough to learn, is very important to us,” said Mr Polansky. Encouraging students to vocalise and manage their emotions is a fundamental part of their education journey. At Globeducate schools, learning is not just about academic learning, it’s also about growing into emotionally intelligent adults.

Basing their education on the National Curriculum for England, the schools explore a cross-disciplinary collaboration through subject overlaps whenever possible. Mr Polansky believes that compartmentalising subjects makes it challenging for students to explore future opportunities and personal passions, and finding a way to explore how subjects intertwine is important to guide pupils into their ideal path. Historically, schools have always focused on summative assessments, such as final exam grades. However, Globeducate believes focusing on formative assessments is significantly more beneficial for well-rounded students. Through these methods, they can identify strengths and areas for growth, offering targeted support to empower students to reach their full potential. Additionally, Globeducate schools have introduced initiatives such as Philosophy4Children and Talk4Writing. These approaches to learning help students engage with complex ideas and relevant world questions, provide a deeper understanding of concepts, and use oracy in verbal language to expand their vocabulary and emotional awareness.

Community

Globeducate is also developing community-based and outdoor learning to provide a more authentic education. Taking inspiration from some UK schools, where outdoor learning is a mandatory part of the curriculum, they have implemented a “learning about nature through nature” philosophy. Outdoor experiences such as The Journey and The Duke of Edinburgh International Awards allows students to spend time learning about the world and nature outside of the classroom. Their Eco-School project initiatives, meanwhile, empower students to take real ownership of sustainability initiatives, from crafting action plans to becoming active citizens in student leadership roles, preparing them for real-world challenges. The school also plans to introduce events in the future such as Hot Desking, an event where parents and local businesses are invited to speak about their jobs and their industries. This initiative aims to expose students to a variety of career paths and bridge the gap between classroom learning and life after school.

Looking ahead, Mr Polansky hopes to redefine success beyond academic results. He believes the current education system places undue weight on academic results, when qualities such as resilience, empathy and collaboration are just as critical for long-term success. “There are lots of examples of really successful people who were not particularly academic, but were very successful in life, not just financially but also emotionally and otherwise,” states Mr Polansky. Ultimately, the school’s mission is not only to prepare students for academic achievements but to equip them with the tools to thrive in a complex, interconnected world. The goal is to develop capable, compassionate global citizens–individuals who can collaborate across cultures, adapt to change, and face the future with confidence.

For more information, please contact Globeducate.