The GC School of Careers

Established: Secondary school: 1973;

Nursery and Primary school: 2010

Language: Primary: Greek; Secondary: English

Type: Preschool, Primary and Secondary

Age range: 4 to 19

Students: Primary 220, Secondary 600

Cypriot/Foreigner ratio: Majority are Greek Cypriot

General Director: Emilios Hadjipetris

Principal/Head: Primary: Panagiota Kalogirou; Secondary: Despo Pambori

Student/Teacher ratio: 6.5 : 1

ADMISSIONS

Admissions policy: Primary: Admission into Form 1 is through personal interviews. Admission into Primary Forms 2-6 is through placement examinations in Greek Language and Mathematics; Secondary: Entrance exams for Form 1, school placement exams for all other forms

Scholarships: For Secondary: one full scholarship and four half scholarships based on entrance exam results; 5 partial scholarships based on overall year assessment

Tuition fees (2017-2018): Primary: €6,450; Secondary: €8,000

CURRICULUM

Primary: Curriculum prescribed by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, with advanced lessons in Greek, Mathematics and English and specialised classes in Computing, Robotics and Chess; Secondary: In Forms 1, 2 and 3: English Language, Modern Greek, Mathematics, History, General Science (Chemistry, Biology and Physics), Geography, ICT, Art & Design, Music, Religious Studies, Physical Education and French (Forms 2 and 3). In Forms 4 and 5 the curriculum includes eight IGCSE subjects, and in Forms 6 and 7, four A Level subjects

Languages: English, Greek, French, German

Type of exams: Cambridge English (Elementary); IGCSE, A-levels (Secondary)

EXTRACURRICULAR

Clubs: Primary: The current club selection includes Music, Football, Drama, PE, Arts & Crafts, Science & Discovery, Dance, Board Games, Cooking, Basketball, Table Tennis, Wall Climbing, Journalism, Creative Computing, Team Building Games and European programmes. Secondary: More than 40-afternoon clubs focusing on personal interests, career interests, community service and entertainment. Most school departments run their own clubs which encourage knowledge beyond the material taught in class. Many GCS students are also involved in various European and international programmes such as the European Youth Parliament, Model United Nations, the London International Youth Science Forum and the Oxbridge Academic Programmes.

FACILITIES

Primary: Computing, Robotics, Art Room, Music Room Secondary: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Laboratories, Library, Art & Design Rooms, Auditorium, and a multipurpose cafeteria

Sports Facilities: Indoor and outdoor sports grounds

Bus service: Yes

Boarding School: No

POLICIES

Classes: 07:35-13:40, afternoon clubs or supervision for Primary school until 15:00

Exams: Primary:  Forms 4-6 final exams in Greek, Mathematics and English

Uniform:  Mandatory for all students

Parents’ association: Membership is open to all parents. The AGM and elections are held in October

Student support: Secondary School: Careers Counsellors, School Psychologists, Heads of Departments and Heads of Year work closely with the school management to help all students cope with any adversity and improve their overall performance. Most departments offer their students support sessions after school hours

HISTORY

Founded in 1973, the school provides high-quality secondary education in a supportive and disciplined learning environment. Both the academic and extra-curricular programmes encourage and guide students to excel academically, develop their critical, analytical and transferable skills, and become all-round personalities characterised by self-confidence and broad-mindedness. The achievement of this aim is ensured through continual supervision of each individual student. In 2015 the school management introduced The GCS Mathematics School and The GCS Sports School, both aiming to develop talented students’ special abilities and enable them to acquire new skills.