How We Teach


KS1 Exploring Through Play & Experience

In  IC 1 – IC 3 (Key Stage 1), learning is joyful, hands-on, and full of discovery. Children explore the world through play, projects, and sensory experiences that build curiosity and confidence. Each class benefits from a high teacher-to-student ratios, ensuring every child receives the attention and support they need to thrive.

Our youngest learners spend three hours a week in Forest School, building teamwork, problem-solving skills, and a love of nature while their brains grow through active exploration. Indoors, they develop literacy and numeracy through real-life activities, art, and storytelling.

Daily Danish tuition helps children gain confidence using Danish in everyday life. The primary language of instruction is English, while our community celebrates linguistic diversity through our Language of the Month programme where students share words, songs, and stories from their home languages.

A typical day runs from 8:15 to 13:30, after which children may join SFO, our nurturing after-school programme filled with creative play and outdoor time.


KS2 Questioning, Creating & Connecting

In IC 4 – IC 6 (KS2), learning becomes more structured and inquiry-driven. Students begin to link ideas across subjects through interdisciplinary projects that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

STEM becomes a strong focus. Students design, build, and test ideas in our hands-on science, technology, and engineering challenges. Field trips, workshops, and visiting experts connect classroom learning to the real world.

Children participate in swimming and creative arts lessons, where they explore drama, voice projection, and performance

Our approach blends international and Danish education, nurturing independence and curiosity. Students continue daily Danish instruction, enabling them to begin to build languages skills to engage with Danish peers, culture, and community activities. Learning continues to be experiential and creative, supported by a weekly wellbeing session and the comforting presence of our school dog, who plays a key role in emotional support and classroom calm.

A typical day runs from 8:15 to 14:15, balancing academic learning, creative exploration, and outdoor time.


KS3 Building Depth & Independence

In IC 7 – IC 8 (KS3), students transition to more explicit subject teaching. They dive deeper into academic disciplines while continuing to learn through experimentation, discussion, and problem-solving.

Each subject, from science and humanities to languages and the arts, is taught by passionate subject specialists who challenge students to think critically and express their ideas clearly.

At this stage, students begin to take greater ownership of their learning, setting personal goals and reflecting on their progress.

Weekly wellbeing lessons and ongoing mentoring ensure that each student is supported both academically and emotionally. The school dog continues to be part of our wellbeing focus, offering comfort and connection during the school day.

Research on adolescent development shows that teenagers benefit from later start times to support focus, wellbeing, and learning. Therefore, a typical day in Key Stage 3 runs from 9:00 to 15:00.


KS4 Guiding Futures & Individual Paths

Key Stage 4 (IC 9 – IC 11) marks the transition to upper secondary preparation. Each student is paired with a personal mentor who supports their wellbeing, learning strategies, and future goals. This mentoring relationship helps students navigate academic choices and personal development.

Students choose between two learning pathways:

  • The International Track, which builds on global learning goals and prepares students for international education opportunities.

  • The Danish Track, which includes 10 hours of Danish tuition weekly, preparing students for Gymnasium entry exams and future study within the Danish system.

Teaching in IC9 – 11 is rigorous, personalised, and future-focused. Students engage in explicit subject teaching across core disciplines while also pursuing electives in arts, technology, and entrepreneurship. Lessons are inquiry-driven, encouraging students to question, analyse, and apply knowledge in authentic contexts.

Weekly wellbeing classes and the mentoring programme help students develop the emotional intelligence, confidence, and self-knowledge they need for life beyond school.

A typical day in Key Stage 4 runs from 9:00 to 15:00, reflecting our commitment to adolescent wellbeing and evidence-based learning practices.

Personal learning goals

We believe in nurturing the whole child through our personal goals

Adaptable

  • I try doing things more than one way
  • I can change my ideas and behavior

Collaborator

  • I can work in a team
  • I can take on different jobs in a team
  • I can appreciate everyone

Communicator

  • I can express myself
  • I can speak more than one language
  • I am honest and truthful

Empathetic

  • I know everyone learns in different ways
  • I show kindness
  • I know my words and actions affect others

Ethical

  • I recognize rules are there to help us
  • I can learn about other cultures’ rules
  • I can make good choices

Resilient

  • I try more than one time
  • I know things don’t always go my way
  • I know that leaning takes effort

Respectful

  • I treat others as I want to be treated
  • I am considerate of others’ personal space and things
  • I know we are all different

Thinker

  • I imagine solutions to problems
  • I reflect on my failures and successes and pick a next step
  • I am curious and creative

Advocate

  • I know my Universal Rights of the Child
  • I take action to help all children experience their rights

Respectful School Community

Our approach to behaviour and relationships is grounded in Positive Discipline and Restorative Justice. Rather than focusing on punishment, we teach responsibility, empathy, and problem-solving.


Students are encouraged to reflect on their choices, repair relationships, and build a strong sense of community. This approach promotes respect, accountability, and a culture of kindness that extends beyond the classroom.

Multi-lingual

Our primary language of instruction is English with a strong emphasis on Danish. All learners at VIS have Danish daily. In addition, many of our specials are Danish prevalent classes so that both native Danish speakers and new to Danish speakers can interact and use their language in natural environments.

We also celebrate home languages and understand that remaining strong in home languages is essential to further learning.