All students from Years 3 to 9 are prepared for one of the Cambridge English or Other Language examinations (ESOL). The suite of examinations followed by La Garenne students is as follows:

• Starters
• Movers
• Flyers 
• Key English Test (KET)
• Preliminary English Test (PET)
• First Certificate in English (FCE) 

Examinations above this level, namely the Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) and the Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) are not designed for students of the age range we have at La Garenne, but more for adults. For this reason those students who have passed the First Certificate are given the opportunity to begin working towards their Cambridge IGCSE examination in English, that they will normally take in their next school.  Those who passed the First Certificate with a relatively low grade may also re-sit the examination in May.

The English entrance tests give us a good idea of the English level of new students, and all the students are tested at the beginning of the school year to ensure that they are in the correct class. All the classes are taught simultaneously, allowing movement to a higher group for any student who progresses rapidly. Students are grouped by level, but also by age. The inscriptions for the external examinations are made in the spring, and the tests themselves take place in June, at La Garenne and in other local partner schools. Parents are informed by email of the group their child has been placed in and are given the option of whether they want their child to sit the exam at the end of the year. We strongly recommend the children to take the exam as it is widely recognised in schools, universities and corporations.

Those students who are first-language speakers of English also follow the Cambridge course at a level that will provide them with an appropriate challenge. Experience has shown that these students benefit from increased exposure to the English language, particularly in the areas of vocabulary, spelling and grammar. However, they are not obliged to take an external examination at the end of the course.  

This week the children have participated in over 40 different after school clubs and activities. We were very lucky to have beautiful weather and the chess teacher was able to teach using the outdoor chess set! The drama production is well under way for the end of the year and we can't wait to see what the students will do this year!

On Friday 21st September it is the International Day of Peace. This morning in assembly we discussed what `peace` means, we thought about how we as individuals can make a difference. 

What is the United Nations (UN)?

The year has had a very quick start with the arrival of the new students, the expeditions, new clubs and activities each day! The students have had a good start to the year and they are lucky that the sun has followed them back from their holidays allowing them to play outside and enjoy themselves. We are proud of all of our students and this weekend we were happy to see that Daria competed in an international chess competition and was placed very highly and Andrey played eight ice-hockey matches and scored fifteen goals, the highest scorer! Well done!