BRIGHT HORIZONS

INTERNATIONAL BRITISH SCHOOL

DEAR PARENTS,
Welcome to Bright Horizons – International British School of Zagreb.

It is important to make the right choice for your child. This brochure has been especially written
to provide you with the necessary information and to inform you of all that we have to offer. At
Bright Horizons, we provide a happy, caring and safe environment for your child. We work hard
to ensure that your child’s experience at school is a positive one and one which encourages a
love for learning and self-discipline from the beginning. Our school’s curriculum is based on the
British National Curriculum and is enriched by Singapore Maths and the International Primary
Curriculum (IPC). We hope that you will feel confident in approaching us at school with any
queries or worries. The aim of this prospectus is to provide you with a guide to procedures and
policies but should you wish to learn more about the school, visitations are more than welcome.
Please arrange an appointment and it will be our privilege to show you around and answer any
questions that you may have.

Sincerely,

Milena Prodanić Tišma 

Bright Horizons- IBSZ Founder and Principal
OUR VISION
Our vision is an International School that, in
partnership with parents; values diversity, encourages
risk taking and empowers children to realize their
potential in a highly motivating environment.

OUR MISSION
Our school nurtures the love for learning by valuing
what is unique about each child. A forward thinking,
International Curriculum is implemented which
focuses on joyful learning and equipping children
with the skills needed to thrive in an ever changing
world. We employ dynamic, international staff who
take pleasure in guiding but also learning from
the children and each other. Our children learn to
become courageous individuals who are not afraid
to take chances.
 IBSZ BRIGHT To provide a stimulating
and challenging learning
To provide an
environment full of
HORIZONS environment within a broad excellence and high
AIMS and balanced curriculum achievements

To encourage positive To promote respect To extend social and cultural

attitudes towards learning for all those involved awareness within the
so that each child may in our school life school towards all local and
realize his or her potential international communities

To safeguard the long term To nurture and develop To uphold the values of
development and reputation the psychological well- honesty, integrity and
of our organisation being of every child respect for others
OUR BEGINNING
Bright Horizons IBSZ is a primary school
that was founded in 2013. The primary
school was established after the success
of the Kindergarten, which opened in 2006
(https://kindergarten.hr/). Bright Horizons
IBSZ is verified by the Croatian Ministry of
Education.
The Bright Horizons IBSZ is a member of
COBIS (Council of British International
Schools) and cooperates closely with the
British Embassy in Zagreb.
CURRICULUM
At Bright Horizons we deliver a broad, balanced and
creative curriculum which whilst fulfilling the school
aims is also organised in such a way as to deliver
the requirements of the UK National Curriculum
(maths is enriched by Singapore Maths) and the
International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This provides
cross-curricular learning within an international
context and enables pupils to easily switch to a
new school if they move abroad. All lessons are
taught in English (except for Croatian). Being that
our children are children of the 21st century, we
have added the UN Sustainable goals through-out
our curriculum. We would like our pupils to become
aware and familiar with the current world situation
and how they can help their world. Through class
work, each teacher adds elements of a chosen
sustainable goal and together with the children,
work through the topic to familiarize them with the
problem, but also to come up with a solution. In this
way, we prepare them and provide them with the
skills and knowledge needed for their own future.  perspective. Each thematic IPC unit includes an
IPC
The International Primary Curriculum which is an
internationally-minded, thematic, cross-curricular,
rigorous teaching structure for children growing
up in the 21st century. There is a distinct learning
process with every IPC unit, providing a structural
approach to make sure that children’s learning
experiences are as stimulating and motivating
as possible.
The IPC is based on the following educational goals:
· Knowledge goals (knowing),
· Competency goals (being able to),
· Insight goals (understanding),
· International learning goals,
· Personal goals (investigation, respect,
cooperation, adaptability, caring, resilience,
ethics, communication).
International learning goals are unique throughout
Bright Horizons curriculum and they help young
children begin the move towards an increasingly
sophisticated national, international and intercultural
international aspect, to help develop a sense of
‘international mindedness’.
PERSONAL GOALS
These are goals that promote the development
of inner personal characteristics. They help the
pupils’ to learn how to act towards one another
and what it means to take an active part in the
multicultural society they find themselves in
everyday. At the beginning of every month
we set a new goal for the pupils (for example:
respect, kindness, empathy) which then teachers
implement in their work with the children and
more importantly promote in the collaboration
between the children, teaching them how to
use these goals in their everyday lifes.
‘21st century skills’ is a term for a number of
general competences that are important in
SKILLS our knowledge and network-based society.
Examples include:
CHARANGA ORGANISATION
Innovative way to teach Music Our school days start off with a 10 min dance
(wake and shake). This way the children start
Based in the UK, Charanga is one of the world’s
their day off on a positive and energetic way.
leading music education technology approaches..
Croatian language is as an obligatory subject
Over 10,000 schools and 41,000 teachers in 62
in our school and we provide support for pupils
countries use our award-winning resources to
who are beginners. The Croatian language
help them teach music. Over 2 million children
is separated into Croatian A (for advanced
enjoy a Charanga-supported music lesson
students) and Croatian B (for beginners). For
every week.
each, we have a separate teacher.
Charanga combines the latest education
The day ends off with, Study time’’. This is
technology with modern teaching approaches
a period where children can finish up on a
to create resources that teachers and children
homework that they have not yet completed
really enjoy using.
while having the support of the teacher with
All teaching materials are visually attractive
them. We understand that many children have
and sound really good, so children are always
plenty of extracurricular activities and for this
enthusiastic about learning.
reason, we are a school that works on a , no
homework’ policy.
Critical Problem-solving Information Basic
thinking thinking skills ICT skills
 SCHOOL MEALS
The Bright Horizons’ lunch service is provided
through in-house catering. Our aim is to ensure
a high – quality complete meal. Children are
provided with breakfast, lunch, a fruit snack as
well as an afternoon snack. The school does not
have cooking facilities for school meals onsite
but hot meals are delivered each day. There is
a single choice menu. Vegetarian alternatives
are available. Furthermore, if a child is allergic
to any sort of ingredient, a separate meal is
always prepared as well. 
Social and
Media
Cooperation Communication cultural skills Self-regulation
wisdom
(citizenship)
UNIFORMS
Uniforms makes us, one!
For our younger pupils from Years 1 – 6, the
uniform consists of a white polo shirt with the
logo, dark blue trousers/skirt and a dark blue
school blazer/cardigan with the logo. For our
older pupils, the uniform consists of a white
dress shirt, dark blue tie with logo, dark blue
trousers/skirt and a dark blue blazer/cardigan
with the logo.
All pupils have a school gym kit, which consists
of a white short sleeved shirt with a logo and
dark blue shorts. Uniforms are available from
a specialist supplier from the UK via a link on
our website.
International
Multiculturalism Wellbeing
mindedness
ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL)
ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) TEACHER
A number of our children have particular learning and assessment requirements
which are linked to their progress in English as an additional language. Their
inability to fully access the curriculum is because their communicative skills
are not advanced enough. In our school, teachers take action to help children
who are learning English as an additional language through various means such
as; role-play, repetitious rhymes, songs, games and circle activities. For any
child that is in need of additional support with learning the English language,
we have an ESL (English second language) teacher to provide extra one on
one support if needed. 

WELLBEING IN SCHOOL
In our school we are very proud that one of our main goals and aims is the
well-being of every pupil. Feelings of wellbeing are fundamental to the overall
health of a child, enabling them to successfully overcome difficulties and
achieve what they want out of life. At Bright Horizons we have designed a unique
Wellbeing programme which enables pupils to achieve their Wellbeing with a
continuous guidance. In order to find out if Well-being support is needed, the
first step is to analyse the needs of the class and school documents (following
up with the child’s attitude, sociometrical results, including the child into work
with the psychologist, looking into any pedagogical documentation) as well as
professional literature.
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Throughout the school year, each pupil’s cognitive, academic, adaptive behaviour,
social/emotional and behavioural functioning is assessed by the school psychologist.
Therefore, every child and parent has an opportunity to talk to a school psychologist
or counsellor and get professional feedback and guidance in overcoming challenges
that a child encounters.  Bright Horizons is the first school in Croatia that has signed
a cooperation agreement with Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center in order
to support the Wellbeing of the children. Our professional/expert team is here to: 

PROMOTE POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR CREATE A SAFE, POSITIVE

AND MENTAL HEALTH SCHOOL CLIMATE

provide individual and group therapy for
pupils who may be experiencing stress due
to: schoolwork or conflicts at school, have a
difficult home life, or need help coping with
events in their social lives
prevent bullying and other forms of violence,
support social-emotional learning, assess
the school climate and improve school
connectedness, implement and promote
positive discipline, identify at-risk students
and school vulnerabilities, provide crisis
intervention and intervention services

STRENGTHEN THE SUPPORT LEARNING AND

FAMILY – SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP DIVERSE LEARNERS

help families understand their children’s
learning and mental health needs, assist
in navigating special education processes,
connect families with community service
providers when necessary, enhance staff
understanding of responsiveness to diverse
cultures and backgrounds
promote student motivation and engagement,
conduct psychological assessments, monitor
students behaviour and progress, reduce
inappropriate referrals to special education,
plan appropriate individualized education
programs for students with disabilities
WE ARE A MINDFUL SCHOOL!
By implementing Mindfulness in School Programme
we help pupils not only to manage difficulties
but to flourish and show their true potential.
Some of the purported benefits of mindfulness
include decreasing stress and anxiety, improving
self-esteem and self-regulation, and increasing
calmness so the child could have a safe learning
environment. Creating a safe place for our pupils
to learn might begin with creating some space for
them to breathe. We are implementing leading UK
Mindfulness in Schools Project curriculum (MiSP
curriculum, Paws b programme).
GROWTH MINDSET
At Bright Horizons, we teach children about and
follow a “ Growth Mindset “ approach. This is a
belief (based on neuroscientific research and
evidence) that our brains can grow and become
smarter. Our philosophy as a school is based on
this and teachers encourage students to take on
challenges and push themselves because that is
the best way to “ grow our brains “. Effort and hard
work is always praised, as this helps to promote a
growth mindset.
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
At Bright Horizons we promote inclusion, embrace
diversity, promote positive peer relationships
and acceptance. It is very important to focus our
prevention activities on promoting and improving
education and inclusion, with a view to preventing
exclusion, discrimination or inequality.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is done for all subjects, according
to the Croatian marking system (sufficient/
dovoljno – 2, good/dobro – 3, very good/vrlo
dobro – 4, excellent/izvrsno – 5). Pupils are
assessed in various categories according to
the subject (written and oral exams, project
work, etc.). Pupils earn their written reports
based on their success and achievements
throughout the school year.
At the end of the school year, pupils will
receive a Croatian certificate as well as the
International Exit written report.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
We feel that extracurricular activities are important,
both from an educational and social point of view.
As they progress through school, children have the
opportunity and are encouraged to participate in a
variety of activities. These are activities that are
designed to develop the children’s creativity and
innovation. Children get the opportunity to express
themselves and freely implement their own ideas
into their work. We have a range of activities, starting
with sport activities:

• Football CRAFTY
• Bridge ACTIVITIES:
• Tennis • Robotics
• Gymnastics • Arts and crafts

LANGUAGES: MUSIC:
• Italian • Guitar
• French • Synthesizer
• Chinese • Choir
• Etc.
OPENNING DOORS

ERASMUS
We always try to extend the knowledge of the pupils
as much as we can. Through various Erasmus
projects, pupils get the opportunity to learn about
a topic that will be helpful for them in the future
but they do this in a multinational way. Erasmus
projects connect children from different countries
and get them all to work on the same topic. In this
way, children get to share their unique ideas and
learn about each other’s cultures whilst learning
about a general topic. This project also supports
the exchanging of students, where children actually
get the opportunity to travel to the hosting country
and truly experience first-hand the country but
also meet their partnering students.  Children
will develop their social skills, creativeness and
also learn about multiculturalism. In the past, our
students have been included in various Erasmus
projects, travelling to Spain as well as Cyprus.
COMMUNITY STRENGTHENING AND SOCIAL EVENTS
We are one, and we believe this to the fullest. Having your child at Bright Horizons means that you the
parents and your child are joining our community. We put much effort and emphasis on creating a strong
and positive community where all individuals have a goal of providing the pupils with as much support
as possible. For us, it is important to have the support of parents in our work but to also know that when
there is an issue or slight hick up, we can together rely on each other’s support and collaboration to deal
with any situation. We like to host many events where we all come together as a community, to strengthen
and build our relationship. These are events where we can let loose and expand our social web. 

SUMMER CAMP
For all pupils looking for a few more challenges and games, we have a summer camp where learning is
made fun through various workshops and activities. It takes place at our school for 3 weeks in the month of
July and 3 weeks in August. Guided and led by our teachers, the children spend their days in an environment
filled with creativity, innovation and excitement. This is a great opportunity for the children to familiarize
themselves with each other but to also develop their social skills, team-working skills and communication
skills. Teachers work with children on different topics and themes making sure that the children express
their ideas and truly have fun while learning. Many of the tasks are done on an experience based learning
system, where children get the chance to personally experience something and make their ideas come to
life using their own skills. All children are welcome to join, the more the merrier. 
ADMISSION CONTACT US:
The IBSZ Bright Horizons is accepting applications Sveti Duh 122
for enrolment for the upcoming school year. On our
Zagreb 10 000
website you will find a comprehensive, step-by-step
guide to our admissions process, along with detailed Croatia
information on our admissions policy. However, the
best way to appreciate our school is to visit us and www.britishschool-zagreb.hr
join one of our school tours. Contact details, are
info@britishschool-zagreb.hr
provided below, so please feel free to contact us
with your questions and inquiries. +385 (0)1 37 45 146