peacelily

Thanks Rosalindann, that's helpful and really just confirms what I have been thinking. My son is the youngest in the year (Aug 28th birthday) so has always had to play a bit of catch up at school so it has always been a huge concern to take him out at this point - we really should have done it years ago. I'm not really sure of the best course of action at this point as it could really dent his confidence to bring him over. This is one of the main reasons we wondered about internationall schools as a good alternative as it would mean he could hopefully continue with a familiar way of study but also to allow him to learn the language and enjoy the more outdoor way of life. Thanks for your suggestions of summer football as this is his main hobby and something he feels he is good at. It may well be the way to "break in".

tuscanliberty

Hi there,
Glad to hear you are interested. We are presently looking for premises and have some teachers ready and willing to join us. There has been a pleasing amount of interest although you can never tell until everything is up and running fully. Initially the school would follow the International Baccalareate programme as this is recognised in UK and US universities,has a stable reputation and is well geared for bilingual or almost bilingual children. We should be advertising to guage further interest in the next few weeks. Any thoughts you may have on what you would like the school to include would be most helpful.
Realistically we are working towards a 2010 september start.
I shall definitley keep you posted on our progress.
thanks

TestaRossa

peacelily - sorry to hear your move is on hold, but I can understand your concerns. One thing I have to say though is that my son's Italian is better than he lets on, he goes to school in the UK still, but he is top in Spanish because his Italian is good. In fact the comment on his report was that it is his Italian that is stopping him getting full marks in Spanish!! So your son may fare better than you think....You could also look at keeping him out for a year or a couple of terms and homeschooling or even enrolling him in a language school for a term to give him some confidence. No-one is going to come banging on the door demanding he go to school like they do in the UK, at least not in your first year here. Also the school year for age runs Jan - Jan here, so just for once he would be among the middle of the class in age! Because of this he would almost certainly be in a year below where he would be in the UK anyway. Also school starts at 6 here not 5, so currently my daughter is two school years behind where she should be in the UK! So work wise he would probably cope. You also have to remember he is of an age where he would be looking at picking a liceo to go to at 14. They specialise in classics, science, language etc. so kind of like picking your GCSE's but even narrower in scope. Worth thinking about. How would you feel about homeschooling him through his GCSE's and then maybe he returns to the UK at 16 for his A's or Pre-U's?

Charlotte T

Hi Tuscanliberty,

How are plans going for the International School in Lucca? I live up in the mountains in Bagni di Lucca and whilst the Westminster school in Pisa looks like a great place to educate my kids it really would be too far to travel. I have a 4 year old who goes to the local Asilo and my 2 year old will be starting there in September.

The local Asilo is fantastic (due to a couple of amazing teachers) but from 6 years on I'm not so sure the schools meet my hopes quite so well. We would definitely be interested in sending our kids to an International School in Lucca and would love to be kept up to date with progress and possibly even involved if there is something we can do to help.

tuscanliberty

Hi Charlotte
We are looking for a suitable building to rent at present. The school may end up being outside Lucca but definitely near a motorway exit.
We hope to have more definite news very soon, as always, thins take a little longer than one might wish!
Glad your children have a good azilo, it makes all the difference if they are happy.

peacelily

Hi Tuscanliberty. Am wondering how your plans are going for an International School in Lucca. We are still very interested and though we haven't taken the plunge to move, we haven't stopped looking for houses. The schooling is our main sticking point at the moment. Would be great to hear any updates.

tuscanliberty

Hi..........we are still looking, but we have narrowed it down to Lucca or Montecatini Terme. While we are waiting to set the school up, planned start for Sept 2010, we shall be holding a Saturday morning English club. Here English skills can be practised and the children can make friends with others in their position.
I shall write a post as soon as full details have been finalised

slow but sure progress and we are as keen as ever

Charlotte T

Hi Tuscanliberty,

I know that it can be hard to find a building but please please keep trying for the Lucca area! Montecatini Terme would be much too far for our kids to come. I keep meaning to chat to some other mums and dads in our area (Bagni di Lucca, Val Di Lima, Val di Serchio) to see if anyone else would be interested. There are quite a few British and American families living in the area that may be interested in an international school.

I would still be very interested to meet up with you in Lucca sometime - perhaps after the kids go back to school?

Charlotte

tuscanliberty

That sounds a great idea, mine go back on the 14th but for half days only for two weeks!
How would the 1st week in October be? Sounds a ridiculously long way off I know but I'm sure it will soon come round.

Charlotte T

Yes, mine only go for half days for the first two weeks - something about there being no 'mensa' until October. Giac will do half days until he is three in March, but he can either come with me or be picked up by nonno!

So, the first week in October it is!

tuscanliberty

sorry we are already into the second week of October! Are you around to meet up next thursday in Lucca for coffee? my direct mail is [email protected]
Liberty

LUISA COTUGNO

hi there! any more news on international school in lucca? i have a little boy who will be three in feb and am worried about him going into the italian system. have you managed to organise anything? also if you meet up with the other mum who was interested for coffee, can i tag along?? so far only solution i can come up with is pisa or florence int school, either way is a trek for us as we live near altopascio......nightmare......HELP! any playdates with other english speaking children would be welcome too as Harry never stops talking, he's a real chatterbox, gets that from his mum ... and it would be so nice if there were other children who actually spoke english back to him without getting on a plane!!

tuscanliberty

Hi Luisa,
Yes we are still planning for a sep 2010 opening and no I haven't met Charlotte yet. I shall try again, would a meet up in Lucca be good for you, maybe next week? It would be good hear any ideas and meet your little one.
Liberty

LUISA COTUGNO

hi liberty,
would love to meet anytime in lucca, let's try and coordinate, when suits you ? mornings or afternoons?
luisa

tuscanliberty

Hi, did you get my email? We are planning to meet tomorrow (wednesday4th) in Lucca. Can you make it?
Liberty