Aljezur International School, which offers international secondary education, and Barlavento International Primary School, near Lagos, are thriving and happy hubs of learning.
The proud owners and directors of these unique schools are Sílvia Catarino, who was born near Aljezur, and Karen Whitten, originally from Scotland. They met in 2003 while teaching together at a local international school and are passionate teachers as well as a strong and supportive management team. They both consider themselves extremely lucky to work with such a dedicated team of professional, like-minded colleagues from rich and diverse backgrounds.
The aim in both schools is to guide and inspire students to reach their full potential, academically and socially, in an atmosphere of willing cooperation, mutual respect and trust. As class sizes are small and there are close connections with families and the local community, teachers have the privilege of knowing and understanding each child’s strengths, passions and goals. Their mission is to provide each student with the social confidence and academic qualifications needed to achieve these goals.
The Secondary School
Aljezur International School was established in 2010 and offers international secondary education for students aged 11 to 18, leading to Cambridge IGCSE and A level qualifications. The exam results achieved by their students are consistently excellent and well above the average for international schools.
The school is situated in an idyllic farmhouse 5km south of Aljezur and located within three-and-a-half hectares of unspoilt national park. With a meandering river running through the land and a healthy, ever-growing vegetable garden and food forest, the students have plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor learning.
Lessons take place in English and cover a broad curriculum including a wide array of languages, sciences and humanities as well as weekly mindfulness, sports and agriculture classes.
Inclusion is a core value which is embedded in the ethos of the school and the student population of 75 children includes 26 nationalities. The school supports many local and international charities including CASLAS children’s home in Lagos, From Kibera With Love education project in Kenya as well as local animal charity AEZA, and students frequently interact with representatives of these organisations. In fact, one of the students from the project in Kenya attended Aljezur International for the last three years and is now studying fashion design in Lisbon.
Last month, seven students and two teachers travelled to Rome to take part in the Model United Nations conference. Students were assigned countries to represent and debated issues surrounding Food & Agriculture. It was an invaluable insight into the ways in which the United Nations discuss important global issues and the students made friends from all round the world.
Aljezur International also produces an annual outdoor theatre performance, “Play in the Parque”, which has become a popular highlight of the Algarve calendar involving a cast of over 70 people including students, teachers, parents and members of the local community. This year’s show will take place on Friday, July 4.
Aljezur International is the only school in the Algarve which accepts external candidates for Cambridge exams and more information can be obtained from the Examinations Officer, Ali Turner, at ali@aljezur-international.org
The Primary School
Building on the success of Aljezur International, in September 2020 the school family grew when Sílvia and Karen took over the ownership and management of Barlavento International Primary School, near Lagos.
Barlavento was established in the late 1970s and creates a caring and supportive environment where children aged three to 11 thrive and develop a thirst for lifelong learning. Barlavento’s mission is for the children to grow into confident, empathetic and emotionally aware young people who have the knowledge, skills and attitudes which are essential to become respectful and tolerant individuals, making effective contributions to their local and global communities.
An exceptional and experienced teaching team is assisted by dedicated support staff, and their aim is to ensure that the learning experience for all the children in their care is valuable, inspiring and fun.
The curriculum, based on the National Primary Curriculum of England, is adapted for the international community and their lives here in Portugal. A thematic approach is used through topics which are interlinked with the core skills of Reading, Writing and Maths. Also included are lessons in Portuguese, Physical Education, Art, Science, Computer Studies, PSHE, Gardening and Mindfulness.
The school building includes an impressive gymnasium hall, two large playgrounds and an all-weather sports pitch. As well as a thriving vegetable garden, the school has chickens, ducks, guinea pigs and a strong-willed rabbit which the children love to look after. Barlavento is also in the process of creating a forest school area where students can learn, play or relax while being in close contact with nature.
Due to their continuing success, both schools are currently full with short waiting lists. For more information or to put your child on the waiting lists, please contact admissions@barlavento-international.net for the primary school and admissions@aljezur-international.org for the secondary.
Sponsored Content
