More than a school – International School Eindhoven (ISE)

The International school Eindhoven (ISE) is an IB world school located within the Brainport Region. EN meets the ISE Director to get an overview of the school and its role in the Brainport region.

A pleasant experience

The International school Eindhoven is located in a beautiful park-like setting in  Eindhoven. Architects have transformed what was the former Constant Rebecque Kazerne, alongside the Oirschotsedijk, into a modern creative campus for students from kinder garden to secondary school. As you enter the school you realize that the ISE reminds you of a school from an Enid Blyton book. The Frog building is the latest addition to the flourishing school. The Mayor of Helmond, Elly Blanksma inaugurated the new building in March of this year.

Influence of great leaders

The office of Roy White, Director of the International School Eindhoven (ISE) overlooks the playground where the youngest children play happily. As we pass the smiling children and walk into Roy White’s office a picture of Gandhi, Mandela and Martin Luther King welcomes us. Roy White suggested that we should all draw inspiration from the principles of these great leaders.

A school with a difference

The school has students from over 45 countries and has strong representation from both EU and non-EU nationalities. Although the ISE is a school, it resembles a global village. They help parents to settle into the region through information sessions, Dutch classes and open their cafeteria as a networking hub.  ISE also conducts information sessions periodically for parents who are leaving the Netherlands.

Bilingual programme

The Dutch department’s Bilingual Programme has recently received high praise from researchers at Utrecht University. Roy reckons, “We should share this Programme with other schools in the region so that more children can benefit. This is not only aligned with expectations the Brainport has for us as a school, it is simply the right thing to do”. With this in mind, the school has begun discussions with a number of individuals and groups within the region.

Role of ISE in Brainport

On Tuesday, April 17, the Brainsport Development launched a new ambitious plan to share with the world the creativity and innovative talents of people within the region. The aim is also to continue to attract and retain the most inspiring, dedicated and creative people who are vital for the continuing expansion of the region.

With the economy booming at 4.9% and thousands of vacancies for engineers, designers, and scientists, there is a need also to continue to develop the education in the region to support this continued growth. The Director of the International School Eindhoven agrees with the Brainport in that “ We must look to transform education, so young people will thrive and be happy in this ever-changing technological world and benefit from this economic growth”.

Last year the Brainport Development shared the World Economic Forum’s top skills needed by employees in 2020. Complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and teamwork featured high on the list. Roy White suggested that we should keep in mind Dutch values and aim to ensure that ideas, innovations and discoveries will be for the benefit of the wider community and the environment. In keeping with the Brainport’s triple helix principle, he also believes that schools should share their knowledge and passion for education with other schools to enable the community and economy to flourish.

Adapting to changing needs

Mr White says that the ISE accepts its responsibility for supporting business in their drive to recruit and retain talent. Internationals who migrate to the Brainport region seek quality international education for their children. The ISE tries to adapt as much as possible to the demand for admissions and thus their enrolment continues to increase. 

For Eindhoven News: Beena Arunraj