Welcome to Verdala International School (VIS)

Where we are dedicated to remaining the international school of choice, celebrating diversity, empowering, and inspiring future generations.

Our Vision

To be the international school of choice, celebrating diversity, empowering and inspiring future generations.

Our Mission

At VIS we strive to ensure that all of our students become knowledgeable, inquisitive and ethical contributors to our world.

Educational Philosophy

● To prepare our students to be ready for tomorrow’s world by encouraging
learning through inspirational education using 21st century learning methods.
● To create a unique environment where each student can grow and discover their
true potential.
● To promote an enquiring mind with a thirst for knowledge.
● To embrace diversity in our multi-cultural society.
● We trust that a caring inclusive community will help build a sense of self-worth
and a profound respect for others.

Our Definition of Learning

At VIS, learning involves developing the knowledge, skills and understandings through inquiry-based and trans-disciplinary strategies, which prepare our lifelong learners for their future challenges. Effective learning occurs in a positive and nurturing environment, fostering a reflective growth mindset. This develops best in a context where students apply problem-solving skills to think critically and creatively in order to collaborate and take responsibility for their own learning. 

We promote personal well-being through a balanced education that includes creativity, activity, academic rigour, and a service learning environment. 

We provide meaningful learning experiences through an inclusive educational journey which develops transferable skills, resilience, and well-grounded and mindful individuals. We strive to offer varied pathways and opportunities to enable success for all.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

As an international school, we expose students to the diverse world around them and celebrate different cultures. We celebrate diversity by ensuring that all members of the school community, regardless of ancestry, culture, ethnicity, sex, physical or intellectual ability, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or other factors - are welcomed, included, treated fairly, and respected. Teachers are encouraged to provide students with a variety of opportunities to learn about diversity and different cultures. 

We value people’s right to express views and opinions in a respectful manner, however, discrimination on any basis is unacceptable. 

The anti-discrimination policy will apply for all issues related to school life, including but not limited to: teaching and learning; facilities and access to them; guidance and counselling; and on all our community interactions.

All members of the VIS community, including Board Members, Leadership team, staff, students, and parents, are expected to respect this policy, which is aligned with the VIS Inclusion policy.

IB Learner Profile

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. 

As IB learners we strive to be:

INQUIRERS
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.

KNOWLEDGABLE
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance. 

THINKERS
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions. 

COMMUNICATORS
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups. 

PRINCIPLED
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

OPEN-MINDED
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience. 

CARING
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us. 

RISK-TAKERS
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change. 

BALANCED
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives - intellectual, physical, and emotional - to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live. 

REFLECTIVE
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.

Environmental Responsibility

We recognise the importance of environmental responsibility, which is integral to our Whole School Eco Charter. This charter underscores our commitment to integrating environmental education into our curriculum and aligning our practices with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In 2024, we proudly achieved Eco-Schools Green Flag status, a testament to our ongoing efforts to uphold high environmental standards. We are dedicated to maintaining this prestigious status and continuing our work with integrity and dedication. Our approach encourages making principled, sustainable decisions that minimise our environmental impact, fostering habits of reduce, reuse, and recycle. We are committed to nurturing these practices to ensure a sustainable future.

Eco Charter

Rationale

As a community, we have a common understanding that environmental education needs to become a core part of our school’s program and ethos. We recognise the need to find a balance between our personal interests and protecting our health, our lifestyle, and our environment. This document serves to outline the principles, practices, and commitments we expect all members of our community to be guided by when engaged in any activity related to the school.

Guiding Principles

- VIS values our global ownership of the planet on which we live and we are committed to educating our community to be active & responsible eco-citizens.
- We will make principled decisions that are sustainable and minimise any negative impact on the environment.
- We will foster activities and initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment.

Practices

The school will actively:
- Integrate environmental learning into the curriculum at all levels of the school in connection with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals;
- Implement operational systems and policies that support sustainability and protection of the environment;
- Foster habits of reduce, reuse, recycle throughout our community;
- Communicate and promote our shared environmental responsibilities to all our stakeholders.

Commitments

- We will actively demonstrate our engagement with these principles & practices through sustainable actions & initiatives that benefit the environment.
- We will consider and, where possible, prioritise environmental sustainability as part of financial decision-making.
- We will encourage and educate our community to integrate this environmental responsibility into their daily & home life.
- We will unpack and interpret our Principles and Practices at age & context-appropriate levels across all stakeholders.
- We will explicitly identify short-term and long-term goals and report regularly on progress towards achieving these goals.

Community Engagement

Our community is urged to carry these values beyond school life, integrating environmental responsibility into their daily and home lives. We regularly evaluate our progress toward sustainable practices and set both short-term and long-term goals to ensure we are always moving forward. As part of our dedication to holistic growth, we actively promote service learning, encouraging students to engage in community service projects that enhance their understanding of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

We trust that our caring and inclusive community will help each student discover their true potential and build a lifetime of respect for others and their surroundings. Our commitment to service learning helps forge strong bonds within the community and fosters a sense of global citizenship. We look forward to seeing each student grow into a thoughtful and proactive citizen, ready to face the world’s evolving challenges.