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Marina International School, Gambia
 
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Contact Address Details:

Marina International School

Banjul area

Bakau New Town
Farimang Singhateh Street
Off Garba Jahumpa Road
& Fajara M Section
Kanifing Municipality, Ksmd
PO Box 717, Banjul
The Gambia, West Africa

Tel no:
    +220 4494373 (Main switchboard)
             4494374
             4494387
             4494376

Mobile: 7836281
Fax:     4497280

Email: info@mis.edu.gm


Information:
The Marina International School, which is one of the best private schools in The Gambia, was founded in 1958. The total number of pupils enrolled at MIS is over 1,000 and both the High and Junior schools are located on the same campus. There are no restrictions based on nationality.

The educational institution student admissions is from nursery to Form 7. The Junior School encompasses classes for Nursery, Reception and Years 1-6. The High School is a three-tier international school and is a Cambridge International Examinations Centre and therefore adheres to British National Curriculum and has IGCSE, AS and A level courses and exams.

Marina is a not-for-profit foundation owned by the PTA (Parents Teachers Association) which votes for a Board of Governors which ultimately manages the day-to-day running of the school. Though both schools run independently from each other and have different principals, they coordinate and cooperate widely and at the conclusion of Key Stage 2 most pupils from the Junior age apply for enrolment to the High School.

Admissions Process:
The application procedure for enrolment into Marina International School, Gambia, is as follows:-

• Call or email the Administrative Office (+220 4449376) to arrange an appointment.

• At the meeting the head of the relevant section will answer queries about the institution and its educational programmes. You may chose to fill in the application form at this time as well as meet the Finance Officer for questions about their tuition fees.

• After your form has been endorsed for final approval successful applicants will receive an introductory letter to formalise their admission into Marina International.

• Payment of tuition fees at Accounting Office.

• During the first week of the school term a tour will be appointed for students and parents with a seminar to outline the policies, procedures and code of conduct at Marina.

School Fees:
See here. They can vary for Gambians and the expatriates community.

Curriculum, Exams & Class Sizes:
The average class size is approximately 26 to 27 pupils and each year grouping has 2 or 3 classes which are not streamed.

The curriculum is grounded in the main core subjects of English language, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science which are taught by the class's teacher however, older ages are occasionally taught by the subject specialist. This is especially true in English. Specialist teachers give instruction in Music, Physical Education, French to 1 to 6 year olds.

Note: RE is not taught at Marina.

The teaching programme for Reception and Nursery is grounded on the Early Years Foundation Programme (EYFP) which is published with the British National Curriculum with a focus on learning via child's play. Later, the formal programmes are taught through teaching the idea and representation of symbols for numbers and sounds and by assisting the kids to gain manual dexterity in drawing, writing and painting techniques. Those who have gained sufficient proficiency can move onto writing, doing basic sums and reading.

During the Years One to Six, every class adheres to study based on the UK National Curriculum. Coursework is focused on teaching children to think for themselves, to be creative, with a significant proportion of it being activity-based. Learning by parrot style repetition is frowned upon.

Teaching of the English language takes place through the use of the language as opposed to formal use of grammar. Emphasis is put on encouraging the children to find meaning in what they have read and to give expression in their written work and speech. Writing, reading, listening and speaking are evaluated separately.

Assessments are carried out throughout the year. Course work is marked and tests are carried out on a regular basis in the various subjects. Marina has more recently shifted over towards a new system of assessment based on Levels.


Expected Achievement Levels:

• Years 1 and 2 > Level 1-2

• Years 3 and 4 > Level 2-3

• Years 5 and 6 > Levels 3-4


Years Three to Six sit their exams 2 times a year, in February and June. Movement up to the next year is entirely reliant on satisfactory academic performance during the year in both the continuous assessment and exams. Those that fail to reach a satisfactory level of attainment might be requested to repeat.

At the end of the course for Year 6 the pupils will sit their exams, which are based on SATS sat in England. These tests are marked externally and the SAT results are published in the first half of July. Promotion to Marina High School rests on adequate performance of the SATS, as well as acceptable behaviour during Year Six. There is no requirement for those promoted to the High School to sit the Gambia's Common Entrance Exams.

Ultimately, final decisions on promotions rests with the Academic Committee after discussion of each child. Double promotions are only permitted in exceptional circumstances.

Homework:
Homework policy is not formal for Nursery and Reception, however, basic tasks may be given to do back in their residence. Every student from Years One to Six will be given home assignments.

Motto:
"Scholarship, Trustworthiness and Service"

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