At the service of Stockholm
Part of the SIS 70th anniversary impact series
Long seen as a powerhouse of the Scandinavian economy, Stockholm and the surrounding region is increasingly assuming a global profile. A glance at the cranes on its skyline, or a visit to the enormous civil engineering project at Slussen, quickly confirms the investment and ambition at work in the city.
Stockholm wants to attract the best global talent to sustain the development of its high-tec, high-skill driven growth. Along with the best of international talent come international families. Education for children is a paramount consideration for those relocating to the city.
Anna Kjellson, the Relocation Manager at Northvolt, a high-tech innovator in battery technology, sums it up: ‘Being able to guarantee an international education for children is crucial for us in our expansion. Many global talents see it as a non-negotiable demand when choosing an employer, and we’re happy to have SIS help us in that endeavour.’
The highly mobile also want to know that the education is transportable, and those with older children want to know Universities and employers around the world will recognise their children’s academic achievement.
‘That’s where we have so much to contribute’, comments SIS Admissions Officer Dwayne Thompson. ‘We offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, and that is internationally recognised and accepted. Coupled with the fact that our students consistently exceed IB Diploma average pass rates and grades – both nationally and globally – it means we can assure families that their children will be getting the best education and maximum opportunity.’ This, according to Anna Kjellson, offers Northvolt’s employees a large comfort and support.
Providing for generations
In the 70 years since it was founded, SIS has provided for generations of mobile families, establishing strong connections with local employers and responding to their changing educational needs. ‘We always go the extra mile to explore how we can best serve our community’ says Dwayne’s colleague Lori Rubottom Karimi. ‘We understand that sometimes employers have very specific needs, and we’ll explore all the options available to make sure their needs are met, so that they can recommend us to their employees with confidence.’
And they do. Around 40% of recent applicants to the school cited their employer as recommending SIS. The enduring confidence of some of the most high profile corporations and institutions in the region is something SIS values highly.
The recognition amongst employers has meant that as Stockholm has grown, SIS has grown with it. ‘We are now approaching 800 students in the school’ explains Lori, ‘and demand for places shows no sign of diminishing. Parents of all nationalities, many with an eye on global mobility, increasingly value the Baccalaureate programme. We’re delighted they are placing their trust in us to educate their children and prepare them for life after school.’
Dwayne agrees: ‘Every day, through talking to the families of prospective students and taking them on tours of the school, we are constantly reminded of how big a factor schooling is in the decision of parents to relocate to the Stockholm region. We feel proud that so many of them place their trust in us, and that having that confidence assists them in the decision to come to the city and add to its economic growth and international outlook.’