Bliss is a company specialized in family relocation all around the world! Our key-words are: innovation, dynamism, global thinking and professionalism.
This is the reason why we are going to tell you about the The British American Pre-School (BAPS) and the Bilingual European School (BES), two forward-looking schools located in Northern Italy. Their student-centered approach develops and nurtures an international mindset and provides the students with the best Pre-School, Primary and Middle School learning solutions.
This article will allow you to discover the BAPS and BES outstanding learning approach aimed at preparing students with the 21st century skills.
The interview is led by Francesco Argirò, the President & CEO of the Gruppo Bliss Corporation and one of the voices from our Blog!
Let’s Begin!
The Bliss Corporation activities in the Global Mobility sector support families (and their pets) and companies to move from one part of the world to another providing service for:
- International Removals
- Transport of pets from abroad
- Relocation
For business reasons I often happen to meet a variety of companies and institutions with different corporate structures and providing a wide range of services.
Today, I’ll tell you about two schools that model ‘diversity’ in the best possible way and allow students to thrive in their learning process.
“What do you mean by ‘thrive’?” … Wait a moment and I’ll explain
I often travel to Milan. During one of my business trips I had the opportunity to visit:
- The British American Pre-School, a full immersion English Pre-School with mother tongue teachers; and
- The Bilingual European School, the natural continuation of The British American Pre-School. BES is the leading bilingual Primary and Middle School in Milan, with Italian and English mother tongue teachers.
As you may understand, BAPS and BES are two schools of excellence in Northern Italy.
During my visit to BAPS and BES, I met the helpful and welcoming Ambra Uncini who accompanied me in a tour around this amazing learning environment. In particular, I was deeply impressed by:
- The state-of-the-art facilities allowing children to LEARN AT THEIR BEST and develop their full potential;
- A learning environment that enhances the students’ international mindset and encourages them to become informed global citizens, a very important issue for Bliss Corporation;
- Fully qualified mother-tongue teachers who nurture the students’ growth and development and support them in expressing themselves in the best possible way
- The educational approach which is not limited to assess factual knowledge but is focused on “lifelong learning”;
- A strong focus on the “bilingual” aspect: Italian and English.
- The British American Pre-School with creative learning approach, the psychodynamic play therapy and the multi-sensory music program that helps children to deal with their emotions and express their thoughts;
- The most advanced learning technologies that enhance the students’ learning and prepare them with the skills they need to face a future where technology is ever more present in their lives
I might go on and on…
For these reasons I was happy to meet and interview Ambra Uncini to learn more about BAPS and BES.
Bliss Corporation and BAPS and BES have a number of traits in common. The dynamic learning environment, the international and open-to-change mindset combine with attitudes such as caring, passion, professionalism and ethics.
Here is the interview with Ambra about BAPS (the Pre-School) and BES (the Primary and Middle School). Enjoy your reading!
Question no. 1: What makes BAPS and BES different from other international schools in Italy?
BAPS: At BAPS, founded in 1987, the safe, nurturing, child-centred setting supports each child’s unique needs and interests. The BAPS highly qualified and passionate native English-speaking teachers deliver a Full Immersion English early years’ program. BAPS provides a tailored, multi-sensory programme that offers a range of learning and developmental experiences. The focus is on fun and engaging activities that will provide play-based opportunities to promote children’s discovery of self and their environment. Children learn best by doing. Through inquiries, experiences, and active participation they blossom independently, socially and cognitively.
BES: Founded in 1999, the Bilingual European School is the first bilingual school (50% Italian-50% English) established in Milan. BES is a Primary and Middle School private school and is the only school in Milan that integrates the Italian Ministerial Program (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organization. The Primary and Middle schools are recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education and the International Baccalaureate Organization. The Bilingual European School is the first bilingual school that launched the 1:1 iPad programme which is implemented starting from Y1.
Question no.2: What are the key points of your learning method?
BAPS has four different age groups: Toddlers (age 2 to 3), Nursery (age 3 to 4), Transition (age 4-5) and Reception (age 5-6). Each group includes an age-specific curriculum that meets the needs of the children. The first three age groups follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) and the Reception class follows the Key Stage 1 of the British Curriculum. The children are actively engaged in their learning process. The instructional approach is based on the ‘learn by doing’ educational approach. At BAPS, play is valued and promoted as a meaningful and vital method of learning.
Children learn best when they enjoy themselves as they are eager to learn and interested in exploring the surrounding world. Play and playful learning are the natural and most effective learning styles for young children. BAPS is committed to providing children with the opportunity to develop their full potential, independence skills, self-confidence, a passion for learning languages and culture. The children are engaged in a rich reading, writing and math programme to learn English in a natural and playful way.
BES: The BES educational program is based on an approach which is known as “constructivism”. Constructivist learning theory suggests that people develop their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. Learners become active creators of their own knowledge rather than passive recipients of ideas gleaned from the textbook or from the teacher.
The constructivist approach engages students in inquiry-based learning activities: the Units of Inquiry as defined by the Primary Years Programme of the IBO.
Question no. 3: What are the current school projects involving your students (and/or their families)?
BAPS: At BAPS we know how vital the partnership between parents and school is. For this reason, parents are welcome to join us in class to share in their child’s development. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress during our Parent/Teacher conferences and Open evenings and through regular updates on Seesaw, our digital portfolio. Through Seesaw, parents are able to see their child’s learning in action. During the year, the BAPS community is provided with a number of opportunities to participate in the school life: the Book Week that celebrates books and reading, ballet and drama performances, Sports Day, Summer Fete and the end-of-the-year Reception Graduation.
BES: At BES, too, we know how vital the partnership between parents and school is, together with the involvement of families. Through Seesaw, parents are able to see their child’s learning in action. Parents are also encouraged to add their contributions and comments about their children’s works and activities.
At BES, the students are provided with a number of opportunities to share their learning experiences with the school community: the Learning Celebrations (Primary School), the Year 5 Exhibition, the Middle School Museum of Learning, the Book Week, Concerts and Drama shows. Parents are also invited to actively participate in the Sports Day, Summer Fete, fundraising activities, the end-of-the-year Year 5 and Year 8 Graduations and many more.
Question no. 4: How can parents contact your school and enroll their children?
BAPS: The full immersion English The British American Preschool is located in Milan, via Val Cismon 9 (in the Viale Zara area, Linea 5 underground stop ‘Istria’). To learn more about the BAPS programme and reserve a private visit, please call the office: 02.66109121 or send an email to the Admission Office: schooloffice@bapschool.eu. For more information, please visit our website www.bapschool.eu or our social platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.
BES: The Bilingual European School is located in Milan, via Val Cismon 9 (in the Viale Zara area, Linea 5 underground stop ‘Istria’). To learn more about the BES programme and reserve a private visit, please call the office: 02.66117449: or send an email to the Admission Office: schooloffice@beschool.eu. For more information, please visit our website www.beschool.eu or our social platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.
Question no. 5: How did you get to know Bliss Corporation and how are you connected with this Company?
BAPS & BES: We have a gentleman’s agreement with Bliss Corporation. Bliss Corporation recommends BAPS/BES as schools of excellence to families moving to Milan from one part of the world to another.
Question no. 6: Is there any activity or future plans you would like to share with our readers?
BAPS: At The British American Pre-School, at the end of the school year, the Summer City Camp provides the children with a wide range of weekly activities for children aged 4–6: sports, creative and art workshops, play-therapy and open air activities. Join us and meet our mother-tongue teachers from all over the world!
BES: The Bilingual European School is inaugurating this year the BES Summer City Camp: it will start at the end of the school year, subscriptions are on a weekly basis. It includes an ample range of activities which will all be carried out in English in a full immersion English context: art, sports, creative labs. Come and meet our English native educators coming from all over the world!
Conclusion
BAPS and BES are two schools of excellence that enhance personal and educational growth and development in a dynamic, multicultural and student-centered learning environment.
To learn more about BAPS and BES, please visit their websites:
