ABOUT THE
WINGATE SCHOOL
The Wingate School is a British International School in Mexico City which offers an educational programme delivered in English focussed on academic excellence, creativity and human formation. The school aims to form a community of critical thinkers who have a multicultural perspective and social commitment. We are accredited as a Cambridge International School.
Vision
To offer a British-international educational approach, incorporating the very best practices, within the Mexican educational system. To develop in our pupils a broad range of abilities which will enable them to think critically. To promote academic excellence in English and Spanish, and be certified by renowned international examinations and certifications. To cultivate human formation and social responsibility, developing integrity and the values needed to improve our world.
Mission Statement
To develop a British-international school in Mexico that offers the highest standards of teaching, and academic excellence, to children from all cultural backgrounds in a creative, respectful and caring environment.
The Wingate School, together with parents, enables each child to value the joy of learning, self-discipline, and to fulfil his or her potential for intellectual, emotional, social and moral development.
Our pupil-centred community also promotes a commitment to helping others, preparing students for the exciting challenges or our evolving global society.
ABOUT US
Summary

TWS was founded in 2016, in Virreyes, Mexico City, by a group of British-educated educators.  Much prior experience and best practice has gone into forming this school.  We now enjoy our own much larger campus in Huixquilucan.

The school motto is “Strive, Learn & Serve”.  The service part of the school is the action arm of our School of Character.  The latter supports our philosophy of providing excellent academics while forming young people who understand themselves and being involved many opportunities for social responsibility.  (See ‘Human Formation’ below.)

The School of Character also provides talks for parents at set times of the year.  We ask that three are attended by our WS parents.

Administration at TWS. We operate in three divisions: Kinder, Primary and Secondary. There is a Head of Section for Kinder and Primary, and a Head of Section for Secondary. The Head Teacher also works with three SEP Directors (the national programme), and a Deputy Head. The Head, Deputy Head, Heads of Section, the Director of the School of Character, the Head of Human Resources, and the school’s Administrator, plus a SEP representative, all form TWS’s Academic Council.

Child protection and safeguarding: The Wingate School is committed to caring for and ensuring the wellbeing of all children and young people. It is our primary duty of care.

TWS has a full-time doctor and several experienced child psychologists operate in all three of the school’s divisions.

As part of our hiring process, our HR department verified candidates’ documentation and references, as well as carries out approved background checks.

All staff at school receive safeguarding training as part of their professional development and the school has an appointed Safeguarding Officer.
CHARACTER EDUCATION
Human formation
Human formation is central to the identity of TWS.  It enables the individual to gain an integral and harmonious formation – human, social, professional and intellectual – to develop the best balance of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in life.
The Wingate School’s human formation emphasizes:
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • The establishment of interpersonal and group tolerance, and respect for cultural diversity
  • Ongoing self-formation
  • A balanced and happy life.
“The purpose of education is to guide students in the process by which they are forged as human  beings – equipped with knowledge, discernment and moral virtues.”  
Jacques Maritain
Character Education
Character Education at TWS is the deliberate effort to cultivate praiseworthy behaviours. The virtues that help form a solid character are: generosity, a sense of fairness, perseverance, self-control, positive attitudes, hard work, integrity and gratitude.
Character education provides effective solutions to ethical and academic issues that are of ongoing concerns in our vibrant yet complex world.  
It transforms our day to day experience by improving school culture, increasing achievement for all learners, developing ethical citizens, plus developing pro-social behaviours.
Social Responsibility (namely, theory put into practice), gives our whole school community the many practical opportunities to develop its willing potential for the benefit of our wider society.
Thus, at the centre of an effective character education, is a close partnership between parents and school.
TWS is a member of the Association for Character Education.
Our Campus
The school campus is in a beautiful and green site on the western side of Mexico City, in an area called Huixquilucan.  There currently are two large purpose-built buildings.  One houses Kindergarten and Primary, and the other houses the Secondary.  
Kindergarten possesses its own separate play area with playground games and a sandpit, with all classes having access to the outdoors for purposes of both play and learning activities; as well as safety in the event of an evacuation.
Our Primary area has a well-stocked library, multi-purpose room, cafeteria and spacious, light and bright classrooms with their own small classroom libraries. There are Primary playground games too.
The Secondary block has its own large library, science lab, multipurpose room commonly used for Irish Dancing, Tae Kwon Do and drama, cafeteria with an open area and comfortable classrooms.  An indoor area for school assemblies is provided on the top floor.
We have two sports areas for student breaks, one being covered.  TWS also has two grass fields, for breaks and sports. 
All our students have access to regular woodland walks.
The whole campus has important security features, including 24 hour guards, outdoor CCTV cameras, building alarms and an earthquake alarm system. Our buildings comply with Mexican building code standards.
Technology
TWS works with the international International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards. These focus on 4 main areas.
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Communication and collaboration
  • Research and information fluency
  • Critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making
The school has two dedicated internet connections. Technology equipment includes Smartboards in many classrooms, iPads for recording and video activities, a school-wide Public Announcement system and large screens in classrooms to enable projections during lessons.
Students have access to Google Classroom and Chromebooks.
We certainly see technology as a wonderful adjunct to live teaching, but it is not a replacement for it. We believe that - in normal circumstances - excessive screen time is not the best thing for our children.
Students, as of Form 3, are required to bring a laptop to school.
The school strongly discourages students having a mobile phone before the age of 14. Mobile phones are not allowed at school.
Partnerships and PTA
Partnerships
TWS works with the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Both are project-based programmes that really engage the student with apt educational exploration and challenges. Moreover, they very much foment transferable skills.
We also are an accredited member of the worldwide and prestigious Cambridge International Schools network . The careful design of our curriculum in Forms 1 to 3 is enriched by this association’s long-standing expertise and resources. In Forms 4 and 5, we are to be studying the rigorous and exciting Cambridge IGCSE curriculum, leading to their internationally-recognised public exams at the end of Form 5.
Our 6th Form will be with the International Baccalaureate. Again, to provide the Diploma Programme (the IBDP), we will be accredited with that worldwide educational organization.
TWS is a member of the Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC) . The mission of the LAHC is to bring together centres of educational excellence reflecting the best of British and international educational practice in order to share expertise for school improvement in a spirit of reciprocal altruism that benefits all parties.
Our school is also a member of the Mexican British Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, the Mexico City School Heads Organization, and the Alianza de Colegios Multiculturales de México.
PTA
We encourage our parents to become involved in our active Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Parents can join the Homeroom Parents network, too.
The biggest event organized in large part by the PTA is our annual, summer Cultural Carnival, an international fair on campus celebrating our very diverse cultural and international roots within the school community. The day involves a celebration of food, dance, music and games.
The Carnival is a school fund-raiser yet, far more than that, it is a splendid, happy way for the diverse parts of our community to celebrate together.
School Life
School bus transportation
TWS offers an optional school bus service for students to many areas of the city.  The school currently has routes to Bosque Real, Bosques de las Lomas, Herradura, Tecamachalco, Polanco, Cuajimalpa, Jesus del Monte (including Lomas Country Club), Lomas de Chapultepec and Santa Fe.
Please contact the school to be provided on approximate bus times.  
Students as of Kinder 1 may ride the bus.  The bus service operates a second afternoon route for those students who stay for After-School activities.
School transportation is one of the safest ways for a student to travel.  All buses have, in addition to the driver, a bus monitor who supervises the students on the bus.  They are equipped with a GPS system, individual seat belts, first aid kit and child car seats for students in Kinder.
The school bus is a great space for students to get to know each other and feel like they are part of a community.  Our school is very supportive of the bus service as it is integral to social responsibility and civic duty.  They reduce city traffic, reduce overall CO2 emissions, save petrol and time.
Uniforms
All students wear a uniform daily.  
School uniforms are available from the supplier, BestLook. There are also several sales at school throughout the year.
The uniform can be purchased at:
ONLINE STORE
Kindergarten: PE uniform is worn daily. PE uniform is made up of sports trousers, sports jacket, white polo, white socks, white trainers. There are optional winter items that include a white turtle-neck and warm vest.
Primary girls: PE uniform is worn twice a week on designated PE days. PE uniform is made up of sports trousers, sports jacket, white polo, white socks, white trainers. The daily uniform, to be worn on the other three days, is made up of a white blouse, pinafore dress, bowtie, grey sweater, blazer, grey socks and navy blue shoes. There are optional winter items that include a white turtle-neck and warm vest.
Primary boys: PE uniform is worn twice a week on designated PE days. PE uniform is made up of sports trousers, sports jacket, white polo, white socks, white trainers. The daily uniform, to be worn on the other three days, is made up of a white shirt, tie, navy blue trousers, grey sweater, blazer, grey socks and navy blue shoes. There are optional winter items that include a white turtle-neck and warm vest.
Secondary girls: PE uniform is worn twice a week on designated PE days. PE uniform is made up of sports trousers, sports jacket, white polo, white socks, white trainers. The daily uniform, to be worn on the other three days, is made up of a white blouse, skirt, Secondary bowtie, grey vest, grey sweater, blazer, grey socks and navy blue shoes. There are optional winter items that include a white turtle-neck and warm vest.
Secondary boys: PE uniform is worn twice a week on designated PE days. PE uniform is made up of sports trousers, sports jacket, white polo, white socks, white trainers. The daily uniform, to be worn on the other three days, is made up of a white shirt, Secondary tie, navy blue trousers, grey sweater, blazer, grey socks and navy blue shoes. There are optional winter items that include a white turtle-neck and warm vest.
Used uniform sales: As part of the schools environmental and social responsibility efforts, a used uniform sale takes place each year. Items are sold at very low cost with all proceeds going to charity. All families are encouraged to donate uniform items in great condition that no longer are needed by their children.
Cafeteria service
The school operates two cafeterias, one located in the Kinder and Primary building, and the other in the Secondary building.
Snacks are available for purchase from both cafeterias.  The school aims to provide a variety of options and promotes the healthy alternatives on offer.
Additionally, the school offers an optional meal plan for students.  The meals are full, warm and balanced.  Vegetarian options are available.
Each meal has a daily cost and is paid monthly in advance. 
Students who do not opt for the meal plan should bring a packed lunch from home.
500+
STUDENTS
Over 75
Academic Teaching
Staff
100%
of primary students
play a musical instrument
30
Nationalities in our
school community