Challenge -- Engagement Learners are provided with an inspirational and intellectually challenging learning environment. As a result of passionate and dynamic approaches students are encouraged to be inquisitive and enthusiastic in their commitment to learning. Creatively designed learning allows students to be focused, motivated and fosters a spirit of enquiry.
Challenge -- Rigour Learners are provided with academic challenge by teachers with excellent subject knowledge. Appropriate pace and stimulation allows learners to make sustained and supported progress whilst developing a strong body of knowledge. Students are provided with opportunities to apply critical thinking skills to complex problems that foster a reflection on the world and the deeper questions of existence.
Respect -- Fairness Learners are provided with a mutually respectful environment to learn and flourish. Trust is built with students through the use of sensitive and supportive language and based upon open-mindedness, equality, humility and a genuine interest in different perspectives. Teachers are role models who consistently promote Aiglon’s educational ethos.
Respect -- Collaboration Learners are provided with a cooperative and safe learning environment. Teachers and students work in partnership towards shared success and development. The atmosphere is one of enjoyment and active participation, where teachers listen astutely and skilfully guide students in a culture of respect.
Responsibility -- Independence Learners are provided with activities that extend their learning and encourage independence and ownership of their own progress. Learning is scaffolded and modelled, and students are supplied with tools that enable them to become lifelong learners. A spirit of enquiry and responsibility is fostered, allowing students to reach balanced and critical judgements.
Responsibility -- Integrity Learners are provided with an opportunity to develop a moral compass that ensures honesty, self respect and personal integrity. Teachers demonstrate a consistent framework of high expectations and support students in developing their own principles. Learners understand the need to take responsibility for their decisions and to make positive choices.
Diversity -- Creativity Learners are provided with a range of varied, well-judged and imaginative teaching activities. Innovative strategies are impactful, focused on progress, and adapted to reflect the diverse needs of the students. Learners are encouraged not to fear taking risks and embrace their own creativity.
Diversity -- Inclusivity Learners are provided with differentiated and personalised support by teachers who understand their students’ specific capabilities. The teacher has high aspirations and expectations for all students, which inform effective planning that is adapted to ensure sustainable progress. Learners will understand, respect and value the diverse opinions and needs of others.
Service -- Compassion Learners are provided with the opportunity to demonstrate kindness, selflessness and service to their environment. Teachers enjoy the challenge of inspiring students by their example, engaging in the moral education and emotional welfare of the students. Learners are supported in a compassionate culture of mentoring and coaching.
Service -- Generosity Learners are provided with an environment characterised by generosity of time and spirit. Teachers provide constructive feedback, enabling all students to make consistent and supported progress. Learners recognise that a spirit of service is integral to the Aiglon learning experience.
Students are required to:
A student wishing to change or discontinue an optional course for any reason should request a Course Change Form from the Deputy Head (Curriculum). It is essential that the steps outlined on the form are completed in order, and the completed form returned to the Studies Office for the approval of the Deputy Head (Curriculum).
Setting: English, maths, science and French are set. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) sets have a tailor-made programme which includes a heavier English component and fewer other subjects.
Academic progress is assessed formally at Mark Readings, which normally occur four times per year. The Mark Reading Policy is the same for all year groups at Aiglon and it applies equally to internal reports as to end-of-term reports. Two indicators are given, one for effort (a letter from A to E) and the other for attainment (a number from 1 to 7) . The attainment marks are averaged for each student’s overall Mark Reading. Each subject therefore has an equal weighting.
Mark Readings from Year 9 onward are included in the transcript, which the School sends to US universities to support applications, and the grades from this point onward contribute to the final summary Grade Point Average.
Grade A students consistently perform well above the basic expectations. The high quality of their work might be indicated by such things as extra research or reading, a very positive contribution in the classroom, punctuality, a high level of organisation and exemplary classroom behaviour at all times.
Grade B students demonstrate some of the above characteristics, but less consistently.
Grade C students do what is expected of them, in class and for homework, but no more than this. An acceptable level of classroom behaviour and participation is maintained. These students are punctual and bring the correct equipment to class at all times.
Grade D students periodically fall below the required standard, demonstrating some of the shortcomings described below as being typical of Grade E students.
Grade E students consistently fall below the required standard, for example: by not doing homework, not bringing the necessary equipment to class, not paying attention during lessons, being late to class, not following instructions, disrupting the class, copying work, being lazy, demonstrating inappropriate behaviour in the classroom or showing a disrespectful attitude towards staff or other students.
Attainment Levels
* Academic Departments have specific attainment indicators at each level.
Honour Roll is an average of 6.00 or above and no effort grade below B.
Merit Roll is average of 5.5 or above with a maximum of 2 effort grades at C or average of 4.5 or above with all effort grades at A or B.
Academic Restriction is an average of below 3.50 or 2 Ds or an E. Academic Restriction means that the student must attend supervised study, may also be on Academic Report and will need to attend a Studies Interview.
Assessment criteria become more and more predictive as students move towards public examinations.
At the end of each term, prize giving ceremonies provide opportunities to formally celebrate successes and achievements and recognise outstanding contributions to service, sport, performing arts and expeditions as well as academic endeavour and attainment. Special prizes for outstanding contributions and exemplary personal example, leadership and service are also awarded at the end of the summer term, usually at the Graduation ceremony. All staff at Aiglon are keen to encourage students to make the most of the many opportunities to succeed and develop the mind, body and spirit in line with our guiding principles.
Prep means "preparation" or homework. It is important that students develop the good habit and self-discipline of completing work to the best of their ability, as work set for prep helps teachers to identify any problems and prepare students for examinations. All prep is set in class and recorded electronically on Managebac, and / or Google Classroom.
Prep copied from another student or that is plagiarised, incomplete is unacceptable. Excuses should not be offered for not having done a prep. If prep is not completed by the deadline given, there may be a punishment. Another evening or weekend commitment (school or otherwise) is not normally a reason for failing to complete prep on time. Students are expected to anticipate such events and do their prep in advance or communicate with teachers well in advance of the anticipated difficulty. Prep that is lost or left elsewhere will be treated as if not completed.
A timetable for prep is issued at the start of each term. Senior students do at least one-and-a-half hours of prep each evening, from Monday through to Friday. Revision for tests, internal examinations and end of year examinations is also an important element of prep time. On these occasions, rather more than the usual amount of time may be required. Additionally, students may need more time to complete longer assignments.
Students whose work is causing their teacher concern may be asked to attend extra study within departments in the Senior School and in-House in the Junior School. The teacher may request that the student completes or re-drafts a specific piece of work, a test, or revises a specific topic.
The teacher will indicate whether the student is to stay for a specific period of time (which may be the full hour or less) or may leave once the work is completed. When the student has completed the work, it is normally handed to the member of staff taking the extra study session, who will then deposit it in the teacher’s pigeon hole in the staff common room.
The extra study itself is not a punishment although it may be accompanied by demerits, laps, departmental detentions or some other sanction. It is intended to allow a student a period of quiet time to complete a specific piece of work. A student regularly required to attend extra study, may need to meet their tutor and Houseparents to discuss strategies for improvement. There may, for example, be an undiagnosed learning difficulty surfacing, which requires early support.
Aiglon awards Graduation Diplomas on the satisfactory completion of the last four years of school, i.e. Year 10 onwards. This would normally include completion of at least two years’ work in Years 12 and 13.
Three levels of diploma are awarded: Honours with Distinction, Honours, and General, the decision being taken by the Graduation Committee consisting of experienced Year 12 and 13 teachers and chaired by the Deputy Head (Curriculum).
A Leaver’s Certificate is reserved for those who do not meet the criteria for a General Diploma. Awards are based on a student’s academic standing in the eyes of their teachers. In making its decisions, the Committee considers the following evidence:
Failure to satisfy one of the above criteria may not necessarily disqualify a student from receiving a diploma at a particular level if the Committee feels that other considerations outweigh the failure, or that there are extenuating circumstances. Similarly, a student who satisfies the criteria cannot expect a diploma of a particular level by right. The Committee is guided, above all, by a student's academic standing in the eyes of teachers. Any evidence of academic dishonesty will prejudice the level of diploma awarded.
For an overview of the pathways leading to successful completion of the Aiglon Diploma, including the compulsory elements for Years 12 and 13, please refer to the chart at the end of this handbook.
Aiglon’s main Library is situated in the Parsons Building and is named the "Centre for Enquiry." The Junior School and history and art departments also house their own collections.
Collections The Library houses more than 14,000 items, including periodicals, dictionaries and specialist collections as well as collections of children’s, young adult and general fiction, plus a non-fiction collection which supports the needs of the School’s academic departments.
Reference material is available for use within the Centre for Enquiry and this is increasingly available online. The Centre for Enquiry subscribes to Pressreader which gives access to thousands of newspapers (both daily and weekly publications) and a range of magazines and houses specialist collections for college / careers of particular interest to students in Years 11 to 13.
Opening Hours Opening Hours are displayed in the Annual Information Booklet. Any queries related to the Library and its resources should be addressed to the Library Services Manager: library@aiglon.ch.
ICT in the Centre for Enquiry A small cluster of computers is available for staff and student use as well as iPads and laptops. Colour printing, photocopying and scanning are available. Use of computers is subject to the rules published by the ICT department.