As an international school, the teaching team is made up of educators from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. This international faculty brings diverse perspectives and experiences into the classroom, enriching students’ learning and reflecting the global nature of the school community.

Yes. Language support classes are available for students who are not yet fluent in the language of instruction. These classes are designed to help students quickly build confidence and proficiency, ensuring they can fully access the curriculum and integrate successfully into both academic and social life at the school.

In addition to English, students have the opportunity to study a range of additional languages, including Mandarin, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. This multilingual offering reflects the school’s international outlook and supports students in developing strong language skills, cultural awareness, and a truly global mindset from an early age.

Classes are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of 20 students per classroom. This allows teachers to give individual attention, adapt learning to students’ needs, and build strong relationships, while creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.

The average class size is 20 students, allowing for a balanced and dynamic classroom environment.

Yes. In Primary School, every class is supported by a dedicated teaching assistant. This additional support allows for more personalised attention, smoother classroom management, and enhanced support for individual learning needs, ensuring students receive the guidance they need to thrive.

Technology plays an important role in daily learning at International Sharing School. From Grade 4 onwards, students are required to bring their own device, supporting independent research, collaboration and digital literacy. All classrooms are equipped with Promethean Interactive Boards, allowing teachers to deliver dynamic, interactive lessons. In addition, the school features a fully equipped STEAM lab, where students engage in hands-on projects that integrate science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

The school is fully prepared to deliver lessons through virtual classroom technologies in the event of emergencies.

The school is non-religious and does not promote or practise any specific religion. As an international community, it respects and values all cultures and beliefs, creating an inclusive environment where students from different religious and cultural backgrounds feel welcome and represented.

As an IB Continuum School, students complete all externally moderated International Baccalaureate assessments required at each stage. This includes the official external examinations and assessments in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP), ensuring academic rigour, international recognition, and a smooth progression through the IB framework.

Only if they feel necessary

When assigned homework, students have a week to complete it allowing them to manage their time, thus installing ATL skills such as Self-management and Research skills

95%

While the International Sharing School is not a specialised institution for special learning needs, it does have a dedicated Inclusion Team in place. Each case is discussed individually with families to understand the student’s needs and to determine whether the school has the appropriate resources and support structures to provide meaningful and effective assistance within its learning environment.

We have on-site psychologists that work with our students and teacher to make sure all students receive adequate support

As we have small groups of students in each classroom, our teachers are able to differentiate the learning levels inside the classroom. We have our gifted and talented students to help students with more difficulties, thus promoting caring and open-minded values

Students have access to an educational psychologist, who supports their academic, social, and emotional development.

An evaluation process is part of the admissions journey. This may include English and placement assessments, as well as family interviews with the leadership team. This approach helps ensure that the school can meet the student’s academic and developmental needs and that there is a strong alignment between the family and the school’s educational philosophy.

This depends on availability and the specific year group. Some year levels may have places available, while others may operate a waiting list when they reach capacity. Families are encouraged to enquire early so the school can advise on current availability and next steps.

Enrolment is open year-round, provided there are vacancies in the relevant year group. When a year group is full, families are invited to join the waiting list and will be contacted as soon as a place becomes available.

Students may join at any point during the academic year. Given the school’s highly international community, it is experienced in welcoming students who relocate throughout the year and supports them in integrating smoothly, both academically and socially.

The school day starts at 8:30 a.m., with students required to arrive by 8:15 a.m. This ensures a smooth start to the day, giving students time to settle in, prepare for lessons, and begin learning promptly.

The school day finishes at 4:00 p.m., with after-school activities and clubs starting immediately afterwards. This allows students to extend their learning beyond the classroom through sports, creative programmes, and enrichment activities, while offering flexibility for families.

Supervised care is available both before and after the school day. The school opens at 7:30 a.m. and remains open until 6:30 p.m., providing families with flexibility while ensuring students are in a safe and supportive environment outside regular school hours.

A school bus service is available, operated through the school’s own Mercedes-Benz fleet. The routes cover key areas including Lisbon, Oeiras, Cascais and Sintra, offering a safe, reliable, and comfortable transport option for families across the region.

Lunches are provided for all students, with a strong focus on healthy, balanced nutrition. Meals are prepared to support students’ wellbeing and energy levels throughout the day, and all students eat the school-provided food, reinforcing healthy habits and a shared community experience.

Alternative meal options are available for students with special dietary requirements, including allergies and specific dietary preferences. These needs are discussed with the school’s chef, ensuring meals are prepared safely, thoughtfully, and in line with each student’s individual requirements.

Students are required to wear a school uniform, which helps promote a sense of identity and equality across the community. The only exception is in the Diploma Programme, Grades 11 and 12, where students follow a smart-casual dress code, reflecting their maturity and preparation for life beyond school.

The school offers a wide and varied extracurricular programme, designed to cater to different interests, talents, and age groups. Activities include a strong selection of sports, such as surf, horse riding, swimming, football, karate, tennis, taekwondo, judo, jujitsu, and ballet, as well as dance and hip hop.

For students with creative and academic interests, clubs include music, singing choir, photography, journalism, calligraphy, chess, cooking, handicrafts, book club, presentation and public speaking skills, and nature studies. There is also an Eco-Club, encouraging environmental awareness and responsibility. Together, these activities allow students to explore passions beyond the classroom, develop new skills, and build confidence and friendships.

Students at International Sharing School participate in a broad physical education and sports programme as part of their curriculum, covering both individual skills and team-based activities. These include core sports such as football, gymnastics, handball, basketball, volleyball, athletics (track and field), and swimming, giving students opportunities to develop fitness, coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout their schooling.

Students take part in organised sports teams and inter-school competitions both locally and abroad, giving them the opportunity to represent the school and experience competitive sport. These competitions take place with other schools and currently include football, basketball and volleyball, helping students develop teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship, and school spirit in a competitive setting.

Students benefit from a wide range of modern learning facilities that support academic, creative, and social development beyond sports. These include a well-resourced library for research and independent study, a dedicated music studio, and a fully equipped STEAM Lab that encourages innovation, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.

The school also offers specialised science laboratories and art studios, providing purpose-built spaces for experimentation and creative expression. In addition, students enjoy a welcoming dining area with both indoor and outdoor seating, creating opportunities to socialise and relax in a comfortable, community-focused environment throughout the day.

The school’s sports facilities are well-designed to support a wide range of physical activities and team sports, including an indoor gym, a football pitch, a basketball court, a running track, and even a skate park for active play and development of coordination and balance. These dedicated spaces allow students to practise, train, and take part in both their regular physical education lessons and competitive sports programmes.

The school is defined by its strong sense of international mindedness, preparing students to think globally while acting with empathy and responsibility. A clear commitment to multilingual education allows students to develop fluency across languages and cultures, while the multicultural environment enriches daily learning through diverse perspectives and experiences. Together, these elements nurture open-minded, curious, and confident students who are comfortable engaging with the world and contributing positively to an ever-changing global society.

The teaching approach at International Sharing School is centred on developing inquiring, knowledgeable, and open-minded lifelong learners. Learning is designed to be engaging and student-centred, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and reflection. Within a supportive, respectful, and caring environment, students are motivated to learn through collaboration and shared experiences, empowering them to take responsibility for their learning and to aspire to build a better tomorrow.