FAQS

We will consider your application as soon as we receive the necessary documents and information and will get back to you as quickly as we can. You should receive an acknowledgement of your application within one to two working days.

Entry into the school is not based on performance in an exam. However, Green Shoots does have minimal English-language requirements, which vary according to the age of the student (older students must have stronger English skills to benefit from a Green Shoots education. Younger children can more easily combine language acquisition with other aspects of learning). If your child requires EAL they will be tested to ensure we offer the correct level of support. The school may occasionally deny entry to a child with special educational needs if it is unable to meet the needs of that child.

Not always. Green Shoots sometimes enrols younger students who don’t speak any English, and often welcomes children with very little English, although they may be required to join our English as an Additional Language programme. Children entering the Secondary programme, and particularly the IGCSE programme, must have functional English before joining the school so that they can access the curriculum and benefit from their Green Shoots education. The school can support families who wish to develop their child’s English for entry into the school.

Yes. The school welcomes diversity in all its forms! The only limit that governs enrolment is a legal requirement that no more than half of all students are Vietnamese nationals. To maintain diversity within the school, Green Shoots own policy limits enrolment from a single national group to 25% of all students.

Yes. You can apply to join the Green Shoots community at any time.

Yes. If there is a waiting list, Green Shoots will prioritise siblings of children already at the school when allocating limited places. It also offers a Sibling Discount for tuition fees.

The Tuition Fee covers the cost of everything that all students benefit from. This includes, for example, all regular classes and some outings. Experiences that are not shared by all are charged separately.

Green Shoots charges a separate fee for things that not all students need or use. This ensures that the cost of each child’s education is fair, with families paying only for what they consume. Examples of things charged in addition to the Tuition Fee include bus travel, exam fees, school clothing, and the laptops and calculators needed by secondary students.

This helps the school pay for the long-term development of our school, or for projects that are not directly linked to the teaching and learning that takes place in a single school year. Examples include accreditation procedures, building renovation and upgrades, the purchase of equipment such as computers and science laboratory items, etc.

Green Shoots issues invoices annually, biannually, and quarterly, two weeks before each payment is due. You may choose which option you prefer. The school’s invoice and payment dates are shown on our fee schedule.

Payment is by bank transfer or cash. The school’s bank details are shared with parents on invoices and in its Fee Policy.

Green Shoots uses the British curriculum to guide learning but makes it more accessible for an international student body by integrating the International Primary Curriculum in primary and the Cambridge International programmes in secondary. Both are aligned with the British system, ensuring that standards and expectations remain high. Our Early Years programme is guided by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Green Shoots teachers come from all over the world, and most are native English speakers. All are qualified professionals and many hold at least one postgraduate degree in addition to their teaching qualification. Green Shoots knows that a school is only as good as its teachers.

The school combines summative and formative assessments to ensure high standards. Learning culminates with the externally assessed IGCSE exams, which provide globally benchmarked and respected evidence of progress.

Children will usually enter their age-appropriate grade level, which can be found here. In special circumstances, the school will consider entering a child into a grade above or below this.

In the Early Years, each class group is limited to 14 children. In the primary school Green Shoots’ largest class group is currently 20, and in secondary it is 14.

Yes, although the school limits homework at the earlier levels as we believe strongly that children learn as much through play and activities beyond the school gates as they do through formal schooling. As your child progresses through their education at Green Shoots they will be given assignments or projects to complete at home. These are designed to enhance learning that has taken place in the classroom and to help children build time management and organisation skills.

Green Shoots offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Special Education Needs (SEN) assistance through a combination of in-class support that helps children develop skills while working with their peers, and pull-out support that enhances and builds upon progress made in the classroom.

Yes. Green Shoots offers French and Vietnamese as foreign language options. In addition, it supports families wishing to develop their child’s home language or build skills in another. This support may take different forms. Please contact us to find out more.

Teachers have access to textbooks and may choose to use them as a resource to complement their teaching. The Green Shoots curriculum does not follow one textbook.  Teachers use a number of resources, both books in print and online, to meet the individual student learning levels.

Early Years students should bring a change of clothes and, if not yet toilet trained, sanitary items. All students should have a hat and primary and secondary students should have their own water bottle. Primary aged children from year 3 and up must also bring a well-stocked pencil case. In addition to these, secondary aged children will need a scientific calculator and a laptop (if your child does not already have these items, the school can help you source them).