Learning face to face in Lausanne

Brillantmont International School is one of the oldest schools in Switzerland and the only to be family run and owned since 1882. It sits in a large, verdant park in the centre of Lausanne. It is facing the COVID-19 situation with the precaution that experience brings, having faced in its history, amongst other things, two world conflicts and Spanish influenza at the beginning of the 20th century.
"This school year is very complicated and like no other. Many schools have moved to online learning without precise indications as to when face-to-face lessons can resume. For students, to not have contact with friends and schoolmates is a difficult and tiring experience, which, in terms of well-being, has its limits", says Sarah Frei, member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Always adhering to the Swiss government’s recommendations and scrupulously respecting hygiene measures has enabled Brillantmont International School to continue presential learning since the beginning of the school year, without the need to move online. From January 2021, Brillantmont will welcome some more new students from countries, such as Italy, where the classroom experience faces many unknowns. The students will come for the 5-week winter course which combines studies and skiing, for the January - April term or the January - June semester. Brillantmont will work with students’ schools back home, to ensure they are following the courses they need to successfully re-integrate their Italian school with ease on their return. The school accepts students aged 13 to 18 (Grades 8-12). All lessons are taught in English, with a wide range of subjects, but everyone will learn French, the local language.
To date, there have been no cases of Covid-19 on campus and since March, the only significant change to school life was the cancellation of Summer Courses to avoid a turnover of students that could be risky. Brillantmont International School continues to adopt the measures and protocols needed to minimise the risk of contagion. These measures allow young people to live a life full of learning, education, friendship, sports and free time, with real human contact rather than being blocked and isolated behind a screen. The campus itself is a huge 13,000 m2 leafy area, with 8 buildings including a multipurpose hall with music room, stage and gym and outside tennis courts. www.brillantmont.ch