The most important stage of a child's development is before the age of 18.

Aware of the importance of the educational stage, parents who have chosen St. George's British International School know that they are choosing an education based on the British educational system where curriculum-based teaching predominates, where objectives and content appropriate to the educational level are established. The British system we teach assesses students continuously throughout the educational process, through tests, examinations and written assessments. It may seem similar to the Spanish system, however, in this case, the overall assessment is based on effort, work and objectives throughout the course. British education involves students in the learning process, encouraging critical thinking and creativity. In addition, the British education system has a personalised approach to each student, taking into account their individual needs and abilities. Every student is aware of and works towards specific goals, which encourages self-improvement. In our school, as in British schools, we promote education for citizenship and belonging to the community by encouraging values such as tolerance, diversity and respect.

Modern British Education

However, knowing that British education has faced criticism in recent years for offering an almost Victorian education without adapting to modern and innovative methods, at St. George's British International School we wanted to take a step forward and we have been committed to educating our pupils in a positive way. The first thing to do is to recognise what we can improve in order to know which path to take, which is why the school staff are committed to positive discipline, renewing the classic and world-renowned British education based on righteousness.

Positive reinforcement as the basis of education

In keeping with good British traditions, teachers and staff are trained in positive discipline in order to make the transition to a modern, open, British education. The school aims to become a benchmark for values education through positive reinforcement. Teachers are equipped with the tools for long-term education with firmness and care, encouraging respect, responsibility, co-operation, independence, decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as working towards a healthy self-esteem for our pupils. In order to educate in a positive way, the school staff is putting into practice techniques to improve communication with the pupils and to know how to generate a space of experimentation where we can understand their behaviour and know how to send an appropriate message, always in a positive way, in the face of the different actions. Tutors work to learn how to make effective agreements with students and thus offer them follow-up throughout the course. It is true that what is needed to educate is not so much "knowing theories" but "knowing how to apply them". The classic cry in the corridors of "don't run!" has been replaced by "it's better to walk!"; or the lapidary phrases "this is wrong" by "you can do this better".

What is positive discipline?

For those who are not familiar with positive discipline, it is a pedagogical methodology based on educating and guiding pupils or children through understanding, empathy and respect. The basis of positive discipline is to foster a sense of belonging and contribution to the group, two basic pillars of British schools.

The principles on which positive discipline is based are communication and mutual understanding, emotional connection and bonding. Positive education involves the pupil in setting the rules, facilitates the development of emotional intelligence, avoids punishment and focuses on finding solutions. In this way, the real development of pupils' autonomy is achieved, as positive discipline helps them to be decisive and to make their own decisions without needing anyone's approval.

So at St. George's British International School we have refocused the way we exemplify the values we have always worked for and which we want to pass on to the pupils who are part of this British school. The British values, based on positive discipline, can be summarised as follows:

1. Respect, the basis of our education and on this depends on the well-being of our pupils. We instill this value in our children by teaching them to have respect for others and to be supportive and understanding of others.
2. Affection is our starting point, as all learning happens from closeness. A child needs to feel loved and respected by adults in order to develop psychologically and personally.
3. Empathy is a key element of emotional intelligence and allows us to understand others, to put ourselves in their place and offer them our help.
4. The development of self-esteem stimulates the learning of social skills that foster confidence and self-esteem, so that children develop a positive self-image.
5. Creativity and innovation are fundamental to our school, and the way in which we believe this vital maturity stage is enriched and enhanced.

"Education is the weapon of evolution for the adult no less than the engine of development for the child. Pursuing the best for children and/or students leads us to keep moving forward and improving as people. Being a better parent and/or teacher means being a better person", says Jane Nelsen. If you are interested in this subject, don't hesitate to discover Jane Nelsen, author of the book Disciplina Positiva: cómo educar con firmeza y cariño (Positive Discipline: how to educate with firmness and affection), mother of 7 children and grandmother of 20 grandchildren. One of the great precursors in Spain is Marisa Moya who offers us great reflections "Positive Discipline is to educate from simple attentions with infinite echoes". Will you join the bandwagon of educating in a positive way?