Admissions Team
We are excited that you are considering our school for your child. We are here to make the enrolment process as easy as possible.
Please contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to getting to know your family.
Welcome from the Head of School
Michael Urquhart
Head of School
ISA Tianhe offers a robust and well-balanced curriculum from Early Years to Year 5. Our Early Years programme is based on an inquiry and play-based approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia and supported by the Australian Early Years curriculum. This provides our students with the perfect preparation for the IB Primary Years Programme. As an authorized IB World School, we offer a vibrant and exciting inquiry-based learning curriculum that includes a strong focus on developing Mathematics and English knowledge and understandings.
As an ISA school, we value and respect our host country. All students study Chinese, which is presented through the IB inquiry framework. We strongly believe that Chinese is not just about learning the language but experiencing Chinese culture and history. We organize regular trips to other parts of China so that students can experience first-hand the wealth of riches that China has to offer.
ISA Tianhe is not just about academics. We believe strongly in a holistic education that develops both healthy bodies and minds. To support this goal, we provide over 35 co-curricular opportunities for students throughout the week.
The best part of my day is visiting classes and observing our students interacting with their teachers and with each other, as well as celebrating student achievement.
Finally, I’d like to extend an invitation to visit our school and see for yourself the wonderful learning community we have created and are privileged to be part of.
Quick summary of key school information
The school's life in pictures
All the details about this school in their own words
We have organised the information available for this school into 6 sections and 40 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
| Number of students |
Over 300 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
Over 38 |
| Most common nationality |
Hong Kong and Korean |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
0% |
| Max. number of students per class |
Early Years: 20
|
| Average number of students per class |
Early Years: 17
|
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes, We offer in class and pull-out EAL for students who need support for the language of instruction. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Korean and French |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
iPad Carts, IT Lab |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Only when required |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
30-45 mins |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Waiting list |
Yes. In some grade levels |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
GL CAT4 Assessment |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Ongoing |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
N/A |
| External examinations or assessments available |
N/A |
| Results in these examinations |
N/A |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
SEN Teacher and SEN Associate Teacher |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Enrichment Teacher |
| Student access to education psychologist |
We are able to refer parents. |
| School start time |
8:30am |
| School finish time |
4:10pm |
| Supervised care before/after school |
No |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
We offer Math Olympics, Korean culture club, board games, debating and logical thinking, adventure club, LEGO, guitar club, art and craft, keyboard club, beginner violin, Italian for beginners, fencing club, digital animation, lunaLAB Elite, football club, pen calligraphy, the art of Chinese language, traditional handicraft, art of tea, racket club, Ukulele club, Guzheng club, Treehouse friendship, Korean culture, LunaLAB Fun, karate club, the power of pictures photography, shooting club and Spanish for beginners. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
| Sports activities included |
P.E. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
We have a football field, playing field and indoor badminton courts. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Canton Cup |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
The school is located in the Guangzhou CBD and is easily assessable for families especially of Early Years Students. The campus is based in a historical and safe area. We have a unique learning community of many different nationalities and students whose parents work for chambers of commerce, consulates or Fortune 500 companies. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
Inquiry based learning using the framework of the PYP and the content of the UK Standards. |
Why choose ISA Tianhe?
Curriculum
We aim to develop internationally-minded students by encouraging the development of the traits described in the IB learner profile. We support children to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers and to be knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective. We expect our students to be independent and take responsibility for themselves, their belongings, and their learning. All lessons are taught in English, except Chinese and Mother Tongue classes. Associate Teachers will occasionally use Chinese to explain difficult ideas, but will usually use English to support students.
All students have five hours of English and four hours of Chinese lessons per week. Students with a different Mother Tongue will also have four hours of language tuition, currently offered in French, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish.
After School
Our co-curricular programmes cover sports, art, science and technology, hobbies and academic subjects. It is our hope that the range of activities available will develop students’ interests in a multitude of ways. While the activities on offer change from year to year, through cooperating with partner organisations, we are able to provide exciting, fun programmes to get involved in. Activities on offer in the past have included drama, LEGO, golf, crafting, basketball, music and more, meaning there is certainly an activity that will appeal to every student. Activities are usually held from 2 - 4 pm on Thursday afternoons. On weekends, ISA Tianhe is transformed into a co-curricular hub with community experts leading groups of students in a range of activities, including ballet, football, drama, fencing, and karate.
Our Campus
Our campus is designed to maximise the learning potential of our students. Equipped with the tools and facilities required for a balanced, holistic education, ISA Tianhe strives to accommodate our students’ needs not only in the classroom but beyond.
Our sporting grounds, featuring a large multi-purpose indoor hall with 5 badminton courts and outdoor football field with artificial turf, enables our students to engage in a wide range of sporting activities. ISA Tianhe also features a swimming pool to allow water-based learning for all of our students.
Hosting over 12,000 books, our library boasts a large range of literature written in a variety of languages. Weekly class visits to the library ensures students are able to make full use of the resources available, and are encouraged to regularly borrow and bring books home.
Get in contact with the Admissions team