6 questions to ask a bilingual school

At OIS there are 30 hours of lessons a week. Nursery, Reception and Year 1 are taught entirely in English; from the first year of Italian primary school, subjects are taught in both languages, 60/40 in the first two years and 45/55 in the last three.

Every class has a native-speaker Italian teacher and a native-speaker English teacher, and each one speaks to the children only in her own language, so each language is linked to a person.

Our Italian and English teachers are qualified, experienced native speakers. The school makes a point of continuity, for teachers and support staff alike.

Yes: children follow both the Italian national programme and the British curriculum, and get the best of each, in content and in teaching methods. Drama is performed in Italian and in English.

In the summer, the two oldest primary classes go on a 4–5 day trip around Italy, and study trips abroad mean full immersion in English alongside students from other countries.

Art in a workshop setting, ensemble music with choir and instruments, sport and drama. During the year children have plenty of chances to show their work.

Trips to local museums, theatres and historic sites, and outings in nature.

The school is in a villa in Ostia Lido, between the sea and the pine woods. Nursery and Reception are on the ground floor; the kitchen, dining room, staff room and a primary classroom are on the first floor; the other classes are on the second and third floors.

Outside there are soft play areas for the youngest and paved and green spaces for the older children. Lunch is cooked every day in the school kitchen.

Always ask for the fees and for a list of what is and isn't included: enrolment, lunches, school bus, uniform, trips, materials. At OIS, for example, the learning tutors for pupils with SpLD are not included in the fees, and the uniform is bought from the school office.