HSV International Primary School - VNS

The VNS location is centrally situated in a residential part of The Hague known as Waalsdorp, located within the attractive Benoordenhout area. It is surrounded by various international organizations, making it a highly convenient and appealing location for expatriate families living and working in the city. The campus is also easily reachable by public transport.

4-11 years (International Department)

Subsidised international primary education (Dutch government funded)

Pupil support is provided by a Learning Support Coordinator and Learning Support teachers; support focuses on individual needs, including social-emotional development and progress for pupils who may be behind or who are more able.

Netherlands

ID1 to ID6: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 08:45 a.m. start; arrival from 08:15; 15:00 p.m. end; 15-minute morning break; 1-hour lunch break. Wednesday: 08:45 a.m. start; 12:30 p.m. end; break times vary by location.

HSV International Primary School delivers the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). The IPC is based on contemporary brain research and aims to provide a brain-friendly environment that optimises learning. International-mindedness underpins the curriculum, fostering global awareness across HSV pupils. The IPC comprises Mileposts: Early Years Foundation Stage; Milepost One (ID1–ID2); Milepost Two (ID3–ID4); Milepost Three (ID5–ID6). The curriculum framework includes Literacy (England's National Curriculum with The Power of Reading), Mathematics (England's National Curriculum with White Rose), ICT, English as an Additional Language (EAL) with classroom and specialist support, and Host Country, Culture and Language (Dutch lessons). The Social and Emotional Curriculum draws on IPC goals and the Jigsaw programme.

Pupil support includes provisions for more able pupils beyond the regular curriculum. The Learning Support Coordinator and Learning Support teachers coordinate with specialists; the first point of contact is the classroom teacher. Progress is monitored and the curriculum is adjusted to support individual needs.

The IPC social and emotional curriculum and the Jigsaw program form a central part of HSV's social and emotional learning, with personal goals guiding development such as being adaptable, communicative, collaborative, empathetic, ethical, resilient, respectful and thoughtful.

Pupil support adapts teaching to meet each child's needs; it serves those who need help catching up as well as pupils who can handle more than the regular curriculum. The Support Team includes a Learning Support Coordinator and Learning Support teachers, with the teacher as the first point of contact and the team available to assist behind the scenes.

The majority of HSV students speak or hear other languages at home and learn English as a second or third language. The EAL team and class teachers provide additional support to enable English language development and curriculum access, including short withdrawal sessions for vocabulary, phonics, reading and writing, and EAL specialists in the classroom. First-language maintenance is encouraged with an additive bilingualism approach; once English proficiency allows access to the curriculum with minimal support, students exit EAL and begin Dutch lessons. Host Country Culture and Language lessons include three Dutch lessons per week.

The school integrates a social and emotional curriculum as part of IPC, with the IPC goals and personal goals guiding social development and wellbeing, and a focus on building social skills, collaboration and resilience within a safe, caring environment.

Safety, welfare and anti-bullying are addressed through a formal safety policy and safety binder, with ongoing communication about safety to pupils, staff and parents and procedures to prevent, record and evaluate incidents.

1. Check Admission Requirements
Children aged 4 to 11 are eligible to apply if they meet specific criteria, such as being non-Dutch nationals with parents working temporarily in the Netherlands. Families must provide employer documentation proving their temporary residence status to qualify. Admission is always subject to seat availability across the four locations.

2. Make First Contact
Parents with questions can submit an optional Registration of Interest form to the admissions team. If you already have all the necessary information, you can skip this step and proceed directly to the formal application.

3. Submit the Admission Application
Apply through the school's online portal by uploading the required documents, which include your child's passport, recent school reports, and written employer confirmation of international mobility. The admissions team will review your file once all documents are submitted, and no student interview is required.

4. Pay the Application Processing Fee
A non-refundable, one-time fee of €150 per child is required before the school will process your application. This payment covers administrative costs and does not guarantee a placement or count toward annual tuition fees.

5. Receive Confirmation
The Admissions Office will acknowledge your application on the portal and officially place your child on the waiting list once all checklist items are complete. Parents can log into the Admissions Portal at any time to track their application status.

After all required items are submitted, the child will be wait listed. You can track the status of your application through the Admissions Portal.