Teaching and learning at Nobel Algarve Lagoa
At Nobel Algarve British International School Lagoa we provide a welcoming international environment and an individualised educational programme, balancing challenge and support so all students can be their best. Parents trust us to deliver an exceptional education with high academic standards and a global perspective. Lagoa’s student body includes more than 50 nationalities, bringing diverse cultural and language traditions to our school. This diversity helps our young people become tolerant and respectful – and to discover the world around them from a range of perspectives. Multiple opportunities to explore Portuguese language and culture also helps our students to develop as global citizens.
Deeply passionate, experienced teachers and subject specialists inspire and engage students, equipping them with a problem-solving STEAM mindset and skills that will help prepare them for future challenges. Our teaching and learning are using up-to-date evidence-informed methodologies to ensure the highest quality experience for our learning community. High-quality PE, arts, languages, and outdoor learning are integral to the daily curriculum to ensure students have the richest possible learning experience, gain confidence and develop into well-rounded individuals.
We offer two learning pathways at the school – a British international pathway closely following the National Curriculum of England and a Portuguese pathway following the Portuguese National Curriculum. Rigorous academic standards apply across both curricula, and our students achieve highly, progressing to study at top worldwide universities or beginning a fulfilling career.
National Curriculum of England
In our British international pathway, Lagoa delivers a contextualised National Curriculum of England for students aged 3 to 18, allowing us the flexibility to extend and challenge our students.
The curriculum is taught in English and focuses on preparing students for IGCSEs and A-Levels in a broad range of subjects.
STEAM in the curriculum
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
A STEAM approach to education encourages creativity and critical thinking skills through hands-on exploration of concepts. It instills a passion for innovation whilst helping students develop all-important soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. STEAM connects in-school learning to the real world.
Portuguese National Curriculum
Our National Section pathway offers the Portuguese Ministry of Education programme for ages 3 to 18 (1° Ano to 12° Ano). All educators are Portuguese-trained, and Portuguese is the language of instruction.
In 12° ano, students can apply for higher education by taking the Portuguese national examinations.
Wellbeing at school
We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of our staff and students, and creating a welcoming atmosphere in the school that allows every child to succeed. A whole school priority is to encourage pupils to maximise their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing through a programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE).Our school team includes a nurse and psychologist who are available to children and their families in the case of specific needs or concerns, managing medication or any other issue that needs additional support.
House system
The House system is a distinctly British feature of the school that encourages collegiality and healthy competition amongst students.
- Collaboration, through cross-section and phase competitions;
- Student Leadership and Student Voice, as students are encouraged to shape our school community through our House Council.
- Charity Work, our students learn to contribute to a fair and just world
- Rewards and Recognition, where students are celebrated for their effort, kindness, sporting endeavours or academic success. Helping students discover what success means to them.
Each House has a colour, an emblem, an attribute and a charity and these were designed by the students. It is important for students to have the opportunity to play an active role and contribute to a community within their school, which allows them to develop skills and talents and acknowledges their successes in a wide range of ways.
We encourage students to play an active role in the success of their House. Individual and team efforts are rewarded, and students are expected to contribute to Inter-house competitions throughout the year.
Outdoor learning
We offer a rich outdoor programme with a broad range of initiatives, including camps, outdoor learning, and The Journey – an experience that pushes older students to their limits, learning how to cope with and overcome failure on the path to success.
Outdoor education promotes environmental awareness and enables students to take measured risks and problem-solve, plus gain teamwork skills and independence. Here, we lay the foundations to prepare students to be resilient enough to meet the challenges of adult life.