Dilip Kuner
IT’s been a year since Shackleton International School opened in Valencia and it just keeps on growing.
The Burjassot school is an offshoot of Superfriends English nursery that has provided early learning for youngsters up to the age of six for the last decade. The school – five years in the planning – was a big step to take, and it has paid off handsomely, explained Shackleton School Head of Communications, Zhandra Zuleta.
“We got off to a good start with 110 students, and we currently have almost 300.” She said, “This shows how more and more families are choosing our school, although our goal is not to become a big school with too many students, which wouldn’t allow us to give the personalised education we want to offer.”
Shackleton is currently starting the new school year with Year 7 and Year 8 students.
With an eye for the future of their students, the school has chosen to follow the IGCSE’s and International Baccalaureate systems.
Zhandra explained: “This will allow our students to continue their college/university studies wherever they choose to live.”
At the heart of the school’s success and expansion is the highly professional team.
Zhandra continued: “We are especially proud of our staff, formed by highly qualified teachers and dedicated specialists. This year we are adding more professionals with the same high standard, and we are looking forward to working together with our families to turn our students into highly qualified, empathetic and independent citizens in the future.”
The school is named in honour of the celebrated explorer, Ernest Shackleton, who with a combination of integrity, leadership and determination is viewed as a historical role model.
The school philosophy is about inspiring youngsters with confidence through encouraging creative thinking and talent; speaking a language besides Spanish, and using the latest teaching methods based on the British education system.
Shackleton School’s Principal, Celeste Cutter explained: “We believe in giving youngsters an education based on values, which goes beyond just subjects and the curriculum. We want all the pupils to develop values like effort, curiosity, companionship, adaptability, and respect through strengthening their inner-self and through their social interactions.”
In Shackleton they apply the high British standards to all the lessons which are taught innovatively.
“Every student gets the necessary tools to develop their skills and enhance what they learn with the freedom to be creative.” Celeste said.
More details are available via the website, shackletonschool.com, or via their Facebook page, Shackleton International School.
