Parent
We have two children - ages 7 and 8 - attending VVIS Primary School since September 2022. They absolutely LOVE going to school here and look forward to each new day. Half the battle won right there!
From a parent's perspective, we have been extremely pleased at the progress our children have made while there and are very grateful for the kind and generous staff they get to interact with on a daily basis including the Head of Primary, their teachers, and all support staff. Overall, communication with the staff has been timely, effective, and for the most part satisfactory. VVIS uses the app ClassDojo to communicate with parents on upcoming events/requirements, and we have the ability to direct message the teachers about any questions we have regarding our children's progress. VVIS also does a great job of pushing out curriculum-based updates to all the parents explaining what the children are learning in their different courses of studies for the term.
Coming from a U.S.-based curriculum, we were initially caught off guard at how much more "advanced" the British curriculum is for Key Stage 1. However, the teachers have been fantastic in giving the one-on-one attention needed to address any difficulties our children encounter, and I attribute this to the student-to-teacher ratio (currently ~7:1 in Years 2 and 3). After two school terms, our oldest child has made amazing progress with her reading and comprehension, but more importantly, has developed a genuine enjoyment for reading. They usually have some form of homework each night, but nothing overwhelming. We usually spend 30-60 minutes with them each day reviewing new words, spellings, or math lessons. VVIS currently utilizes web-based programs MyMaths and LiteracyPlanet for homework and we love it. It gives us a chance to be made aware of what they are studying, and we can help them with any areas they struggle in. The apps are also incredibly useful during extended school breaks allowing the children the ability to login and play scholastic-based activities.
Speaking of activities, this is one area where I think VVIS excels. The school does a great job of planning activities throughout the year to include involvement with the local community (Carnival parade), school events (cross country meet, Christmas pageant), and fun field trips (local museums, Lisbon, nature excursions). Each term, Primary students are given the opportunity to pick up to three after-school activities free of charge which take place from 3:30 - 4:30. Our children have participated in clubs involving Portuguese language, musical instruments (recorder/keyboard), sewing, and arts/crafts. They have PE twice a week, but other than that, not many opportunities for sports at the school for the younger kids. We've had to go outside of VVIS to get our kids involved with more active hobbies like gymnastics and dance. Most other parents enroll their kids in local swimming and soccer clubs as well.
Regarding learning the Portuguese language, you will want to temper your expectations. The school advertises a 60/40 split of English/Portuguese for the daily curriculum, but since they are not immersed in the language, comprehension is going to take longer. Our children are picking up words, useful phrases, and a pretty good accent, but they are far from being able to express thoughts or communicate in Portuguese (it has only been 7 months). Parents who prioritize cultural assimilation for their children will want to seek out after school activities with Portuguese children and/or language tutoring to accelerate the process.
Finally, parents are given the option of purchasing meals a la carte or sending a packed lunch. Unfortunately, there are no refrigerators or microwaves to support packed lunches which can limit your options. The weekly menus are diverse and include a revolving selection of pasta, chicken, curry, hamburgers, etc. Daily staples like soup, yogurt, baguettes are also offered for a reasonable price. The children were quick to identify their favorite meals and especially look forward to the occasional pancake day.
Overall, we couldn't be happier about our VVIS experience. A truly small and nurturing community at a very good price. Highly recommended!
12 other reviews for Vale Verde International School - (Reviews aren't verified )
Showing 11 reviews by parents and students.
Parent
This school is badly run with owners that don’t care about the children’s welfare. Avoid at all costs!
Parent
Coming from the US, we were cautious to the transition for our children (ages 5 and 7) however we are so happy to see that not only have they adapted well to the school and peers, they have actually amazed us in working very hard to bring up their academic goals with the help of their remarkable teachers. As the US and UK standards and curriculum framework are very different, the teachers have been great at communicating the strengths of our children and how the positive reinforcement has helped them to grow.
We are astonished to see how the growth has been not only academic but also social. From a shy introverted boy to one who is now confident, standing on stage, or eagerly wanting to read out loud. We love to see how friendships are being made with all ages and the school definitely has a community feel to it.
Parent
We love Vale Verde! Our kids started here in September of 2022 and they love going to school every day. They made friends quickly and their interaction with their teachers is great. Their teachers are caring and nurturing ( which we love).
In terms of academics, I feel like our kids got well adjusted to the British system and they’ve thrived.
We really recommend this school.
Parent
We have tried all of the private schools in the area and we like this one the most. It ticks all the boxes for us, highly academic, friendly and supportive environment, small class sizes and great teachers. The management is professional and easy to communicate with. In the 3 years that our daughter has been attending the school her academic level has risen rapidly, her studies have been given careful and thoughtful attention by her teachers that deeply value her education. We plan to keep her at the school all the way to A levels.
Parent
We have kids in both the Junior and Secondary level of Vale Verde. Both completed the 'first cycle' in Portuguese school and then moved to Vale Verde so have required additional support in transitioning to learning in a different language.
We have been very impressed with the school, the teaching staff and the overall environment at Vale Verde. The class sizes ensure that children get plenty of support and individual attention and all of the teaching staff are incredibly dedicated and - as we have found through parents' evenings - have a genuine knowledge of individual students, their current level, and how to ensure they are learning to the best of their abilities.
Having come from a Portuguese school two years ago, our oldest son is now doing very well in all subjects, and particularly in English, where the teaching at Vale Verde has ensured that he is at or above the level y... read full review
Parent
My son joined the primary school in Year 4 and is now in Year 6. He is always happy to go to school which speaks volumes about the teaching and environment at VVIS Primary. Staff know him well and care about ensuring he does his very best. Thank you!
Parent
I have two kids in Primary School here. After 1.5 years, we are delighted with the school. When our kids first came to school, they bearly could speak English as it is not their native language. Children got all the needed support and exceptional attention to grow up their language skills. Now they are confident and showing promising results.
Also, VVIS organizes many events for children, carnivals, books day, Christmas plays, team projects, trips to exciting places, etc. Children love to be involved.
The only thing that might be improved from my standpoint is the Facilities, especially sports-related ones. There is one outside football court. It would be lovely to have a court inside the building.
The majority of teachers are Amazing. Of course, we had issues with some, but everything was negotiable - kind in-person talks helped. The atmosphere at school is also good. Our ki... read full review
Parent
VVIS has been a heartbreaking experience for the whole family. Whilst there are some fantastic teachers working with kids, the head and directors have been extremely unhelpful and unprofessional and clearly have not been considering children's welfare and mental health! There is a degree of bullying going on here.
The facilities are not great, the building is tired, there are little to no facilities that make this school stand out from others. One football/volley ball court is available but there are no changing facilities and kids have to change in the toilets for their PE lessons.
At first the small class sizes sounded beneficial, however, it seems the real reason behind this are parents taking their children away from this environment and choosing another school.
Parent
Update on my previous post.
Eventually got the money back on the 26th Sept. Gave the appropriate notice in April.
No apology or explanation as to why they held it that long, countless emails and phone calls.
Martin, I completely agree with your comments as we faced some of these issues with our son, seems that the children cannot express their indidual identity and must conform to outdated ideas.
Parent
We tried the school for 9 weeks but a senior member of school, harassed and bullied our 13 yr old son over his hair cut which was apparently was too long at the front - preventing him from learning and distracting the other students in class, neither of which were true.
If I were to include a photo of the 'offending' haircut, you too would be dumbfounded. Our son was always smartly dressed and has never had an discipline issues in any school before.
Our son was systematically removed from his classes, told off, humiliated in front of his peers, forced to wear girl's head bands and had his lessons regularly disrupted. by this person. It has left us genuinely flabbergasted.
Certain teachers seem to be stuck in the 1950s and made inappropriate, degrading comments, while others were extremely kind and helpful.
We've met countless parents who've had the same issues and removed th... read full review
Parent
Teachers were very aloof and often derogatory comments made about students when they were not in class.
Getting the security deposit back after giving the mandatory 1 month notice seems near impossible. 3 months later and still not given back. Countless emails, phone calls, promises that they will sort it or get back to you never happens. Avoid at all costs is my recommendation.