Frequently Asked Questions

The International School Twente (IST) opened in 2008, initially as the international department of the Dutch Primary Prinseschool, which is part of Stichting Consent. In 2016, IST Primary moved into its own building at Johannes ter Horststraat in Enschede.

In 2011, the Dutch Secondary school Het Stedelijk Lyceum opened a department at College Zuid for international secondary education. IST Primary and Secondary joined forces in 2016 and offer international education to pupils aged 4 to 18 years of age.

In some cases, companies employing expats settle these important matters for you. If this is not the case, or you have additional questions, we kindly refer you to the Expat Center Twente: http://expatcentertwente.com

We do not sponsor visa applicants, nor do we offer boarding. IST is able to present a confirmation of enrollment for any student if requested by a parent.

For support in visa applications, students can contact the Expat Center Twente (http://expatcentertwente.com/) located in Hengelo or the Immigration and Naturalisation Department: (https://www.ind.nl/)

The IST learners community is exceptionally welcoming. IST often receives children mid-year and takes appropriate measures to make sure all students can keep up. Newcomers are welcomed by the entire class, and teachers often assign a buddy to guide them during the first week.

Please let us know your specific plans and make sure to start the admissions process on time so we can make sure there is a smooth transition to IST.

‘The Little Prince’ is part of SKE Kinderopvang and is a bilingual day care centre in Enschede. More information can be found on their website or by calling this number: +31 (0)53 480 0024

Over 90% of the students at IST speak a language other than English at home, and a lot of our students learned English at IST. Our teachers are adept at differentiating instruction for newcomers to English. Visit the curriculum pages of Primary and Secondary for more information about our English Language Acquisition programmes.

Admissions into Secondary’s IGCSE and DP years may be contingent on a student’s current level of English. Please contact our Admissions Officer if you have any questions.

At IST, teachers differentiate their instruction for students’ learning needs, adjusting the programme where necessary to ensure all students can learn. At IST Secondary, students can call on their teachers or mentors with specific questions.

Please let us know during the admissions process if your child has a specific educational need, we are more than happy to investigate together how we can best accommodate any student.

At IST primary, PE class is given twice a week. Once with a professional PE teacher at our off-site gym, and once with the classroom teacher in our on-site gym. At IST Secondary, Physical Education is taught by a dedicated PE teacher.

IST Secondary prides itself as a TopSport Talent School enabling students to be at the top of their game, while receiving the best possible education and a flexible schedule.

Students at IST do not wear school uniforms.

Students bring their own lunch to school and healthy eating is promoted. At IST Secondary, there is also a canteen within our Dutch partner school, where students can buy lunch or a snack.