The Courtyard is well-known as a pioneering institution, quick to understand emerging needs and flexible enough to implement them swiftly and effectively.
It can list a string of firsts, being the first school in Belgium authorised to run all four International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes, the first to offer the IB continuum with 3 language sections, the first to take inclusion seriously enough to offer a new special needs centre operating in 3 languages, the first to convert historic buildings in protected Tervuren green sites into eco-schools and the first flagship school to receive the Green Flag award twice.
Established in 2018 by founder, Sue Kay, in the carefully converted College of Luxembourg’s courtyard buildings of Hof te Oudevoorde in Tervuren, expanding to the nearby Robiano-Stolberg Castle complex and adding an experimental eco-site on the Duisburg Plateau hosting the students’ Eden Project, this school is one of a new group of intentionally small 21st century international schools, that allow all the benefits of a large international school, whilst providing the flexibility and personalisation that being a smaller school facilitates. The Courtyard delivers high-quality values-based academic education in English, French or Dutch for pupils from 2-18 years.
With a long career in international and bilingual education management behind her, Kay often noticed the number of students who had studied an English-only education in Belgium’s international schools and couldn’t find work here because of their lack of local language skills. There was a lack of schools delivering balanced bilingualism in the region. “Several schools offered bilingualism, but one of the languages often held a higher status in the school community than the other, affecting the students’ motivation for that language.” Impressed by The European Schools’ balanced bilingual model she set to work to establish a new school with three language streams in Tervuren that would allow for balanced bilingual education with a sharp focus on sustainability.
Why choose the IB? Seven years on, Kay states that, “Whilst preparing pupils for academic success the school focuses on preparing them for the challenges and opportunities beyond the classroom and, to this end, the faculty chose to offer the full suite of International Baccalaureate programmes to give continuity and coherence to the whole school programme.” This includes the Pre-school and Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-Related Programme (CP) which offer a consistent, holistic, all-through inquiry-based approach which can be offered in any of our school languages.
"We were delighted to be authorised to offer all four IB programmes," states Sue Kay. "This aligns with our vision and commitments and provides our students the opportunity to continue to work and study in a cohesive way throughout school. It also opens access to work and study across Belgium and the rest of the world as it provides skills needed to collaborate and work worldwide."
The Courtyard's middle school programme provides students with the opportunity to sit either the IB Middle Years or the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) qualifications aged 16. Leading on from this the IB Diploma and Career programmes were launched in September 2023 for students aged 16-18, building upon the strong foundations laid in the primary and middle school sections. Growing with its students the move meets their evolving needs as they transition into higher levels of education and prepare for university or work.
Central to The Courtyard's ethos is its commitment to personalised pastoral care for each child. Extending this philosophy from primary to the secondary years, the school employs a tutor and a house system. Each student receives individualised guidance and mentorship from dedicated teachers, ensuring that all can access the support they need to excel academically and personally. The majority of this year’s diploma cohort have eyes set on studying medicine at university.
The Courtyard announced the opening of two new heritage buildings for the summer of 2024 and 2025 which promise to enhance the educational environment with state-of-the-art classrooms, science and technology labs, informal study areas, and an extra library for older students.
Inspired by Kurt Hahn, all elements of The Courtyard experience from the IB, to the Round Square network and the International Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, place values-based education at the heart of the school experience, guiding students through their school years with a focus on independence, sustainability, democracy, environmental stewardship, adventure, bilingualism and leadership.
Overnight residential trips beginning as early as Year 2 serve as catalysts for these values, where students tackle challenges with their “head, hands and heart” and conquer new horizons each year. Themed residential trips (such as an upcoming 3 days STEM focused visit for Primary Year 2 and 3 to the Eurospace Centre) serve to ignite intellectual curiosity, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. From Preschool to the IB Diploma, extensive team-building schemes help students learn to collaborate and consolidate their previous knowledge by putting it to practical use. Building, planting, cooking, camping, skiing, sailing DIY rafts, rock-climbing, and caring for animals are all high on the agenda.
"Our main objective is to enhance student involvement in shaping sustainable practices,” states Stephanie Uceny, Deputy Director. “Projects are guided by students and supported by the broader community. We cultivate an environment where students gain the knowledge, skills and motivation to confidently tackle global environmental challenges that are at the forefront of their minds.”
With a rich legacy of fostering values-based, sustainability-focused education over the past years, the school is looking forward to the coming years. “Our dynamic faculty have a tremendous amount of experience and energy. They are equipping our students with the tools and skills they will need to lead successful, purposeful and fulfilled lives in the dynamic, ever-changing world of the future. It’s a new era for international schools; it’s the era of intentionally small international schools that can truly deliver on sustainability, rooted locally and growing globally."
The Courtyard International School of Tervuren, Hof te Oudevoorde, 49a, Stationsstraat - 3080 Tervuren
Tel +32.484.49.11.41
