NAUKA
BEZ GRANIC
NAUKA
BEZ GRANIC
HOW WE TEACH?
The No Bell method is a proposal for a truly modern way of teaching. For more than 25 years we have created a pupil-friendly place, overcoming educational clichés on a daily basis, and demonstrating that learning is, first and foremost, a pleasure that comes from discovering the world.
IN THE DIGITAL WORLD OF NUMBERS AND LOGIC
„Logic is the Grammar of […] Thought.”
Novalis
At No Bell, we show the world in numbers! We teach to see cause-and-effect relations and present the universe as a logical, comprehensible whole.
We have created conditions for children to develop their science-related competences. Maths is a difficult subject that gives parents and students many a sleepless night.
We have found a way to tame this monster and turned long hours of task solving into good fun.
Our teachers present the world to children in such a way that maths and science evoke in them a healthy curiosity rather than fear. Such an attitude motivates pupils better to fathom the mathematical complexities and rules.
This is only the start of the No Bell method. We develop logical thinking at programming classes, teaching kids, to play chess and board games, which brings measurable effects in the form of our students’ outstanding results and achievements in the field of science.
Their accolades include top places in nationwide competitions in, among others, science and astronomy, prizes in maths and IT (miniLOGIa) contests. The sciences are their friends rather than foes.
IN THE REALM OF LANGUAGE
„The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Our language teaching syllabus is based on modern methodology tailored to pupils’ interests and needs.
Even lessons of their native Polish are remarkable and unconventional, with tasks such as “describe the action of hammering in a nail without using the word ‘hammer’”
Our foreign language teachers do not only work with the course book, but incorporate engaging projects, such as the balcony scene from Romeo in Juliet acted out in English, building el altar de muertos at Spanish lessons, or suffering with Goethe’s young Werther at German classes. These activities carry the pupils into different worlds while familiarising them with other people and cultures.
Effective communication is our main priority.
Our pupils are not afraid to talk in a foreign language. They use it correctly, but, most importantly, willingly and with ease.
At primary school they take and pass Cambridge YLE, PET, and FCE exams, in No Bell secondary school – CAE.
THE LAND OF CREATIVITY
„The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.”
Albert Einstein
In overcoming clichés, No Bell school focuses on pupils’ creativity and freedom of expression, looking for unconventional solutions in all areas. We aim to give students space to exploit their own ideas and solutions at all classes, including those of art and music, which perfectly complement our method.
The fine arts develop imagination and personality. They can therefore be an excellent complement to children’s education. At No Bell we are aware that contact with art stimulates creative thinking and activity and inspires spontaneous self-expression. At No Bell pupils can express themselves by building complex structures entirely out of recycled material, emulating van Gogh, or fashioning an abstract Duchamp-like sculpture.
Latest research proves that art is one of the best stimulators for our brains. This is why we start mornings at No Bell not only with balls, skipping ropes, and ribbons, but also with paintbrushes, crayons, and vocal cords.
Self-presentation through musical expression, from sweet water nymphs’ songs to march rhythms and even rock, is important to us at No Bell. Music-making can help reduce emotional tension, satisfy the need for self-expression, teach pupils to recognise and name their emotions, and stimulate brain activity. All one needs to find is one’s own rhythm.
NO BELL’S WORLD-FAMOUS MOTIVATING TECHNIQUES
„There are three constants in life… change, choice and principles.”
Stephen Covey
You want to change and develop?
First and foremost, you must get to know yourself. Personal development – defined as the practice of mindfulness, the ability to reflect and understand oneself by observing the world – is placed at No Bell on a par with school subjects.
The modern world requires us to be open to new working methods. We show pupils how to organise their time, set targets, and find ways of achieving them. Jointly with another primary school, we were Poland’s first educational institution to introduce Stephen R. Covey’s concept of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
This method, which enjoys worldwide success, provides a set of tools for proper self-motivation. We use Covey’s methods to teach our pupils not only how to learn and develop their knowledge effectively, but also – how to solve problems in everyday life. They will not be happy without these skills, which are essential to all education.
Happiness is not a bagful of Christmas gifts. It depends on self-acceptance, self-cognition, and self-fulfilment.
All our work focuses on preparing children as well as possible for adult life, both in the intellectual and emotional spheres. Thanks to methods of self-motivating and effective action, they learn consciously to manage their time and resources and to organise their work well, which paves them the way to success.
„The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.”
Blaise Pascal
In a world where everyone should independently control their lives, practical life skills are, we claim, essential to education.
Syllabuses thus need to combine school knowledge with personal development of the psyche, teach creative problem-solving and life-management skills, as well as techniques of learning.
No Bell’s educational programme makes such personal development an obligatory part of the curriculum. For instance, pupils may organise their own charity events, join a group cooperating with a children’s home, or overcome fear and mental barriers by opening up to their peers and delivering a captivating presentation. To engage in such projects, pupils need a solid base in understanding their own emotions. This is what we teach at emotional intelligence classes.
We are aware that children’s emotional development needs to be supported on a daily basis. We have therefore launched our own ‘Laboratory of Child Psychology’ (psychological and pedagogical counselling centre), where a team of educationalists, psychologists, speech- and other therapists is always at the disposal of both pupils and parents.
At No Bell we are not limited to passive transfer of knowledge. We prepare pupils for life, broaden their worldviews, and help them look at reality in a critical, independent manner. We have therefore created classes which aim to encourage pupils to debate freely. With their philosophy teacher they discuss the essence of humanity and the world around us, learn to ask questions and seek answers, and become acquainted with ethical problems. They look for their own ways among adults and turn the world upside down to make it unique and special again.
A SOUND MIND IN A SOUND BODY!
„Playing is a child’s best school of life.”
Antoni Kępiński
Fitness is developed at No Bell along with mental skills.
Children toughen up their bodies with daily games and plays in the school ground, regardless of the weather, be it rain or snow.
As in Scandinavian education, we believe there is no bad weather, only wrong clothes.
We therefore let children play in the mud and frolic around – naturally, all within reasonable limits. Physical activity is to be, first and foremost, good fun.
The readiness to make effort, persist, work in a team: All these qualities count in sport and are at the same time key elements of a child’s development. The minds of physically active children work better and more effectively, making them feel fresh and ready for even the greatest challenges of learning.