As a result of its multicultural focus, the British Primary School of Wilanów caters to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. A large group, for example, come from parents who have relocated to Warsaw for professional reasons.
Joanna Banaszkiewicz, head of admissions at the school, explained that many of their students belong to the category of "third-culture kids"—children who grow up in a culture different from that of their parents, both of whom may already come from different cultural backgrounds.
The challenge for educators, she said, was to create a supportive environment where these children could develop academically, socially and emotionally while respecting their cultural backgrounds.
The school follows the British curriculum and teaches in English, though many students arrive with varying levels of proficiency.
The benefits of multilingualism
"Multilingualism is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities we work with," Banaszkiewicz said. "We recognize that language is not just about communication but also about identity. That’s why we encourage children to maintain their native language while developing English skills. This approach helps them integrate without losing touch with their roots."
Adjusting to a third culture comes with both benefits and challenges. As global mobility has grown rapidly over the last decades, the phenomenon of being a third-culture kid has been studied by psychologists, sociologists and others—with both the tough issues and the advantages of such an upbringing becoming increasingly visible.
Banaszkiewicz noted that while international mobility broadens children’s perspectives and teaches adaptability, it can also make it harder for them to develop a clear sense of cultural identity.
Tom McGrath, the school's principal, explained that it was very common for children from international backgrounds to carry multiple identities. "You could ask 'who's Swedish here' and then 'who's Ukrainian' and the same boy would raise his hand," he said.
To support the children and help them grow their own identities, the school places a strong emphasis on respect, empathy and cooperation.
Intercultural skills
"We see our mission as not just delivering education but helping children build confidence and a sense of belonging in a global world," said Banaszkiewicz.
She continued: "Children living between different cultures require an attentive ear, attuned to their needs. They often face various psychological and emotional challenges, and our task is to support the overall wellbeing of both them and their parents.
"They are wonderful children: sensitive, often with a broad cultural perspective, able to look at the world from various viewpoints and angles.
"We place great emphasis on providing thoughtful education to ensure these experiences become valuable assets in their teenage and adult lives, with intercultural competencies serving as their unique strength and lifelong resource."
Beyond academics, the school encourages engagement with both international and Polish culture. Foreign students take Polish language lessons and participate in local trips and historical projects, such as a recent initiative commemorating young participants of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.
Local context, global diversity
"The local context is important to us," Banaszkiewicz added. "We strike a balance between celebrating global diversity and helping our students connect with Polish history and traditions."
Extracurricular programs further enrich the students’ experience, with offerings such as the ISP Artist, ISP Scientists, and ISP Changemakers programs, as well as mental health awareness days, sports competitions and community service projects.
"We accompany children in their journey of building their own identity," Banaszkiewicz concluded. "They are sensitive, open-minded and able to view the world from multiple perspectives. Our role is to support their growth so that they can use their multicultural experiences as a strength in their future lives."
(rt/gs)