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FOREST SCHOOL
FOREST SCHOOL
We are fortunate in the WISS Early Years Program to have direct access to the ‘Tiger Trail’ - a woodland area comprising of bamboo groves, mature trees, and opportunities for children to explore the natural world in a safe and secure environment. A canal runs alongside the woodland that, although fenced off for student safety, enables the children to observe the seasonal changes that occur throughout the year, as well as the birds that visit. The woodland area also has an outdoor classroom (The Bamboo Room) with hand-washing facilities, storage for all WISS Forest School equipment, and space to shelter if needed.
Each grade level in our Early Years Program can access the Tiger Trail with supervision as part of their learning. In addition, we offer specific Forest School sessions, which are planned and facilitated by our Forest School leaders throughout the year.
Parents will be invited to experience a Forest School session at the beginning of each year. We hope this session will enable parents to experience the benefits of the WISS Forest School and gain an understanding of the processes involved in planning for Forest School, as well as find out the holistic developmental learning that can occur through Forest School sessions.
We are fortunate in the WISS Early Years Program to have direct access to the ‘Tiger Trail’ - a woodland area comprising of bamboo groves, mature trees, and opportunities for children to explore the natural world in a safe and secure environment. A canal runs alongside the woodland that, although fenced off for student safety, enables the children to observe the seasonal changes that occur throughout the year, as well as the birds that visit. The woodland area also has an outdoor classroom (The Bamboo Room) with hand-washing facilities, storage for all WISS Forest School equipment, and space to shelter if needed.
Each grade level in our Early Years Program can access the Tiger Trail with supervision as part of their learning. In addition, we offer specific Forest School sessions, which are planned and facilitated by our Forest School leaders throughout the year.
Parents will be invited to experience a Forest School session at the beginning of each year. We hope this session will enable parents to experience the benefits of the WISS Forest School and gain an understanding of the processes involved in planning for Forest School, as well as find out the holistic developmental learning that can occur through Forest School sessions.
WHY THE WISS FOREST SCHOOL EXPERIENCE?
WHY THE WISS FOREST SCHOOL EXPERIENCE?
Forest School at WISS offers children the opportunity to connect with nature and develop their relationship with the earth and all living things.
Through stimulating natural curiosity, we follow the interests of participants in their forest explorations from the stance of developing respect, understanding, and care for our planet.
WISS Forest School experiences have a positive effect on health and well-being and personal and social development as children inquire, problem-solve and develop a healthy awareness of Risk in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Forest School at WISS offers children the opportunity to connect with nature and develop their relationship with the earth and all living things.
Through stimulating natural curiosity, we follow the interests of participants in their forest explorations from the stance of developing respect, understanding, and care for our planet.
WISS Forest School experiences have a positive effect on health and well-being and personal and social development as children inquire, problem-solve and develop a healthy awareness of Risk in a nurturing and supportive environment.
WISS FOREST SCHOOL PRINCIPLES
WISS FOREST SCHOOL PRINCIPLES
The Forest School approach to learning is structured by six key principles. This ensures practitioners who follow the approach are all working to the same values and criteria.
Principle One – Forest School sessions are long-term, regular, planned sessions in a woodland environment. Not just one-off sessions; ideally every other week, if not weekly. Preferably taking part through all seasons.
Principle Two – Forest School sessions take place in an outdoor woodland environment. This supports the learner in creating a positive relationship with the natural environment.
Principle Three – Forest School learning promotes the holistic development of the learner and all people involved.
Principle Four – Forest School promotes the ability for learners to take appropriate risks in line with the environment and themselves.
Principle Five – Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who regularly continue to learn and develop their skills and reflect on their learning.
Principle six – Forest School promotes learner-centered learning. Sessions should be planned to be available to all and with a focus on the interests and needs of the learner.
The Forest School approach to learning is structured by six key principles. This ensures practitioners who follow the approach are all working to the same values and criteria.
Principle One – Forest School sessions are long-term, regular, planned sessions in a woodland environment. Not just one-off sessions; ideally every other week, if not weekly. Preferably taking part through all seasons.
Principle Two – Forest School sessions take place in an outdoor woodland environment. This supports the learner in creating a positive relationship with the natural environment.
Principle Three – Forest School learning promotes the holistic development of the learner and all people involved.
Principle Four – Forest School promotes the ability for learners to take appropriate risks in line with the environment and themselves.
Principle Five – Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who regularly continue to learn and develop their skills and reflect on their learning.
Principle six – Forest School promotes learner-centered learning. Sessions should be planned to be available to all and with a focus on the interests and needs of the learner.
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APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION
Applications are completed through Open Apply and all requested documents are uploaded to the system.
Personal Documents
• Completed application
• Copy of student birth certificate
• Copy of student and parent passports
• Copy of student and parent Shanghai residence permit, diplomatic visa, or letter from your employer affirming that a visa will be procured
• ID Photos (Head & Shoulder Passport Style photos) for each member of the family.
• Completed Medical Form and Immunization Records
Academic Records
School reports for the current and previous academic years (Certified translations into English are required for reports in other languages.)
• For PK- Kindergarten: school reports from the current year
• For Grades 1 – 8: school reports from the current and previous year
• For Grades 9 – 10: school reports from the current and previous 2 years
• For Grades 11 – 12: all school reports beginning from G9 including the current year
Supporting Documents
• Early Years Parent Questionnaire
• Confidential Principal/Teacher Recommendation Form
• Standardized test scores (if available)
• Relevant educational or medical evaluations, IEPs, or other reports about learning needs (if applicable)
• Completed Transportation Request Form (if applicable)
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WESTERN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SHANGHAI
555 Lian Min Road, Xujing Town, Qing Pu District,
Shanghai, PRC, 201702
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WESTERN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SHANGHAI
555 Lian Min Road, Xujing Town, Qing Pu District,
Shanghai, PRC, 201702
OFFICIAL WECHAT
application PROCESS
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Create an account and submit the WISS Online Application Form, which can be found by clicking our "Apply Now" button.
Complete, upload, and submit all WISS-required application documents. The list of grade-specific required documents and their downloads can be found below and on the pages within our "Apply Now" button.
Request Confidential School Recommendation Forms from your child’s educators. Admissions will share a secure link to an online form for convenience.
Speak to your dedicated Admissions Officer to arrange a time for an Admissions Assessment, Academic Interview, and a Family Introduction Meeting.
*Step 5 must be completed before the Language Proficiency Test takes place.
Submit payment of the application fee. Once the Step 2 online application is received, you will receive an invoice for payment. This non-refundable fee is 2,500 RMB and applies only for the academic year of application.
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Admissions criteria
1
Eligibility
Admission is open to all foreign passport holders with no preference given to any one nationality. Preference will be given to families with siblings already attending WISS.
PRC Regulations
In compliance with Chinese government regulations, WISS can accept applications from foreign passport holders or residents from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Applications can also be received by any Chinese passport holder who has one or both parents holding a foreign passport, or those who qualify to apply under the regulations of the Shanghai Education Committee.
Guardianship
Local government requirements in regard to proper guardianship of students mean that WISS may accept students who are a: a) resident with at least one parent, or b) resident with an approved guardian (with power of attorney). Students are not permitted, under local regulations, to be under the supervision of non-resident guardians. Students who are not living with at least one parent or authorized guardian cannot be enrolled at WISS.
English Fluency
Students applying to WISS will be evaluated for English speaking, reading, and writing ability. As the school wishes to maintain an environment where English is the primary language of academic instruction, preference is given to those students who are most functional or have the greatest potential to be functional at their grade level in English. All entering Secondary students not having English as their native language must, as a minimum, be at a level from which they can work to complete the IB Subsidiary English B program by graduation, along with self-taught study of their mother tongue language.
Age Placement
A child must be:
• toilet trained and 2.5 years old by February 1st of the year entering Pre-Nursery
• toilet trained and three years old by September 1st of the year entering Nursery
• four years old by September 1st of the year entering Pre-Kindergarten
• five years old by September 1st of the year entering Kindergarten
• six years old by September 1st of the year entering Grade 1
During the admissions process, the Admissions Team and Application Review Committee will take into account a student’s country of origin, the educational system from which the student comes, and the student’s past performance to determine suitable grade placement. Students who have not completed a full year in the previous grade may be required to repeat the grade.
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Secondary Education for Children aged 13 - 18+ Years Old
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WHY WISS
A roadmap from 2006 to now. 15+ Years as a leader in international education in Shanghai.
From Dance Studio’s to Forest School, WISS offer top-quality facilities that enhance and support the student learning experience.
The inspiration behind the founding of WISS.
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Develop your career as an educator and explore available positions at the Western International School of Shanghai.
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WELCOME
WISS Academic Programmes and approached to teaching and learning.
WISS Academic Programmes and approaches to teaching and learning.
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Our Vision & Mission, Quality Education , and Global Citizenship
High-Quality, World-Class Education available at WISS.
15+ Years of Excellence in Education. See how WISS has grown and developed since 2006.
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