Our History
Founded in 1967 as a Dutch school, NISL was established to serve families seeking high-quality education rooted in Dutch values and tradition. From its earliest days, the school was built on a strong sense of community, academic integrity and a commitment to nurturing each child’s potential.
Over the decades, NISL has evolved to reflect the changing world around us. While remaining proudly grounded in our Dutch heritage, we have grown into a truly international school community. Today, we deliver our curriculum in English, following the English National Curriculum to ensure academic rigour and global recognition.
At the same time, we continue to honour our roots by offering NTC (Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur) lessons, enabling students to maintain a strong connection to Dutch language and culture. (See our dedicated NTC section for further details.)
From a small Dutch school in 1967 to the vibrant international community we are today, NISL’s journey has been one of growth, adaptation and ambition — always guided by our belief in learning for life.
Our Mission
To discover and reach their full potential by expressing themselves freely, being open minded, and aim high, to become leaders.
Our children are responsible, socially aware and understand that they belong in a safe atmosphere where they can be confident and creative.
We want students to be happy and confident, with respect and empathy for each other. To become independent, open minded and responsible citizens of world.
Creative positive experiences in everyday learning for every individual to reach their full potential and having an understanding and appreciation of the modern world or the world around them.
We seek to nurture inquisitive, independent, knowledgeable and resilient learners who approach life with tolerance, confidence, kindness and joy.
Our mission is to facilitate the students on their learning journey to become self-confident, communicative, productive and fulfilled citizens of the world.
At Netherlands International School we follow a comprehensive assessment framework designed to gauge the academic progress of our students.
Assessment
As they progress through their first year of school children are assessed against the Early Years curriculum and this is recording in their learning and development overviews. We have 3 scheduled Parent Teacher Consultations throughout the academic year where each child’s achievement of the Early Learning Goals is reported to parents.
Assessment in Primary school is viewed as building a picture over time of a child’s learning progress across the curriculum. It is an integral part of teaching and learning. Communicating the achievement of pupils in Primary compliments that of EYFS with 3 scheduled Parent Teacher Consultations throughout the year.
GL Assessment
At Netherlands International School, measuring attainment in English, maths and science (Y5 and 6 only), these assessments can be used at the start of the academic year for baselining and then again at the end of the year to measure progress, and then year-on-year as a longitudinal measure. Reports are set against national averages so we can reliably compare our results with those of students within the UK.
The data we gain from these assessments
- Highlight strengths and gaps in reading and core subjects
- Reveal barriers to learning
- Identify and support children with additional educational needs
- Provide evidence of progress
- Deliver evidence of whole school improvement
- Directly inform teaching strategies
Reporting
We create regular reporting opportunities with our parents to ensure that they are involved and fully aware of the progress being made for their child within each academic year.
*We very much encourage open conversation with parents and would not anticipate waiting for these scheduled meetings to discuss any element of their child’s progress. We welcome communication from our parents at all times.
Results
Our ongoing assessment results are shared with parents as and when they happen. In addition an overview of assessment is communicated through the written reports in December and June.
In June 2024 we had 7 children graduate from Year 6 at NISL
- 3 children entered secondary schools overseas
- 4 children entered secondary school here in Lagos
NIGERIA INDEPENDENCE DAY
Celebrating the history and culture of our host country
Experiencing another culture helps children learn and develop by expanding their perspectives, fostering empathy, and enhancing social skills. It encourages open-mindedness, adaptability, and respect for diversity, making children more resilient and better equipped to navigate a globalized world. Exposure to different traditions, languages, and ways of thinking also promotes curiosity and cognitive flexibility, which are valuable for problem-solving and critical thinking.
