School Spotlight: International School of Hamburg (ISH)
Category: News
Published: 18 December 2024
International teachers
Schrole is proud to represent some of the very best international schools from around the world. In our School and Group Spotlight series, we’ll take an in-depth look at these schools, detailing their history, ethos, location and of course, benefits, to help you choose the school that best suits you.
Snapshot: International School of Hamburg (ISH)
Year founded: 1957 Segregation type: Co-Educational Religious affiliation: None Curriculum: IB MYP, IB DP, IPC, IB CP Instructional language: English Alternate instructional language: None Start grade: PreK End grade: 12
About: International School of Hamburg (ISH)
Founded in 1957, International School of Hamburg (ISH) was the first international school in Germany and an early adopter of the International Baccalaureate programme.
ISH is an independent, non-profit association with about 720 students from over 50 nationalities. ISH offers English language curricula for students from early years to Grade 12 (ages 3 to 18). This includes the International Primary Curriculum (age 3-10), the IB Middle Years Programme (ages 11-15) and the IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme (ages 16-18).
At ISH, programs, policies and purpose are united in the shared values that put its students at the centre. As builders of an internationally-minded community, ISH strives to inspire and motivate every student while ensuring high academic challenge, the innovative use of technology, and a committed focus on the social, moral and emotional well-being of every child in our care.
ISH is proud to offer an engaging curriculum and to be accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). For these ISH undergoes regular and thorough evaluation of all its programmes, facilities, policies and personnel, most recently in 2022, to ensure the school applies the very best practices in education.
Ethos: International School of Hamburg (ISH)
International School of Hamburg (ISH) aims is to provide a holistic education which recognises that a child’s knowledge and understanding can be measured not only through traditional written tests and assessments, but also in a multitude of other ways. These include oral presentations, collaborative group tasks, artistic and athletic expression, and the use of technology to demonstrate learning.
ISH is a welcoming and inclusive community, where families who have traveled far from their countries of origin can make a new home away from home.
Mission: As an international community of learners, ISH nurtures inquiring minds, compassionate hearts and balanced lives.
Vision: ISH is a welcoming and inclusive community where innovative thinkers teach and learn together. ISH believes in the power of education to develop global citizens who lead lives of purpose and meaning.
International School of Hamburg (ISH) offers modern facilities build in 2010 on a unique 41,000sqm campus located in Hamburg’s green belt. Facilities include:
400-seat multifunctional auditorium (“aula”),
Drama teaching spaces
Music classrooms
Music practice rooms and display areas
7 well-equipped science laboratories
3 science preparation rooms
Science seminar room
Library
3 gym halls,
Climbing wall
Fully equipped fitness studio
100m four-lane tartan running track
Full-size soccer pitch
Street soccer field
Long and triple jump areas
Permanent volleyball court
Facilities for high jump/discus/shot put/ball-throwing
2 multipurpose areas for basketball, volleyball and soccer
Student lounge
2 playgrounds
Cafeteria
Location: International School of Hamburg (ISH)
International School of Hamburg (ISH) is located just across from the city’s the Botanical Garden. It’s also perfectly situated to take advantage of all that Hamburg has to offer due to its proximity to the centre.
ISH’s community of students, families and teachers come together each day from across Hamburg and beyond by S-Bahn, ferry, bus, car and bike to share the commitment to challenging and successful learning.
Living and working in Hamburg as an international teacher provides an exceptional blend of cosmopolitan energy and maritime charm. Germany’s second-largest city, Hamburg is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse array of dining options. The city’s picturesque waterfront, historic Speicherstadt district, and bustling harbor create a unique and inspiring backdrop for daily life.
Hamburg’s strong emphasis on education and innovation ensures a stimulating professional environment, with numerous opportunities for growth and collaboration. Additionally, its efficient public transportation system and high quality of life make it easy to explore both the city and the surrounding regions. The welcoming atmosphere and diverse community further enrich the experience, making Hamburg an attractive and dynamic place for international educators to live and work.
Benefits: International School of Hamburg (ISH)
Number of Contract Days: This varies slightly from year to year, depending on the number of student contact days (which in turn depends upon the number of national/religious holidays in any given year). On average, teaching staff are expected to be school for approximately 182 days.
Starting Salary Range: The starting salary range is 57.500 EUR to 83.500 EUR. The step placement on ISH’S salary scale depends upon full years of experience in teaching/counseling and any relevant advanced degrees.
Taxes: Income tax is relatively high in Germany, and ranges from 40 to 45% depending on family status.
Savings Potential: Teaching couple with 2 dependents: +/- 10,000 EUR/year; Single teacher with 1 dependent: +/- 3,000 EUR/year; Single teacher with no dependents: +/- 5,000 EUR/year.
Accommodation: Although ISH does not offer a housing allowance, ISH has a Relocation Officer who is very helpful in assisting new faculty and staff in finding accommodation that is appropriate and within budget. A range of apartments and other housing alternatives can be found throughout the city. Real estate in the immediate neighbourhood of the school tends to be more expensive, so many ISH staff members live further away, but often within cycling distance or a 20-to-30-minute journey on the excellent public transportation network.
Flights/Transport: Round-trip economy airfare is provided by the school at the beginning and end of the contract for the new staff member and all dependents who are living with him or her.
Utilities: Utilities including gas, water, and electricity are the responsibility of the staff member. ISHs Relocation Officer is happy to assist with the registration for these services.
Furniture: It is possible to find furnished apartments in Hamburg, and if this is desired, it should be mentioned to the Relocation Officer as soon as possible once a contract has been signed to provide the maximum possible time to locate a suitable accommodation.
Moving Allowance: Single person allowance: 2 cubic meters; Family allowance: 4 cubic meters for a couple plus 1 cubic meter per child. ISH asks you to provide offers from 3 shipping companies. Then the HR Department will confirm which company you should engage. Reimbursement will be made after your arrival accordingly to the original invoice. You are of course very free to ship more than the allowance, and in that case, ISH will reimburse you for the amount of cubic meters as indicated above.
Settling-in allowance: ISH provides a one-time settling-in allowance of €730 for a single person; €1460 for a married couple plus €322 for each child. The allowance will be paid as soon as possible after your arrival/after you have opened a German bank account. ISH will help you with this as well.
Dependent Opportunities While staff families do not pay tuition for their children’s education if enrolled at ISH, this is a taxable benefit within the German tax system. This means that 30% of the total tuition fee is taxed.
Medical: All employees are covered by the German national health insurance through tax deducted each month from the salary. Health care in Germany is outstanding.
Dental: Basic dental care is included in the national insurance, but anything beyond a check-up is usually at cost.
Disability: For long-term illness, the school pays up to 6 weeks sick days in succession. Afterwards the health insurance will pay 70% of your gross salary for up to 1.5 years. Occasional sick days are of course fully paid.
Language lessons: ISH contributes €100 per month for two years towards German lessons should you decide to take them up. In many years one of ISH’s German teachers offers lessons on campus, and there are also many private language schools throughout Hamburg.
Schrole has been a reliable platform for us to access strong candidates and Schrole staff have been very helpful throughout the recruiting process. I very much look forward to a long working relationship with Schrole.
Brian Lalor
Primary Principal
Xi’an Liangjiatan International School
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