An English-Medium School

Talaimari, Rajshahi

Paramount is a privately owned, co-educational, English-medium institution that provides schooling from Pre-School to GCE ‘O’ Level examinations in Class X. It was founded in 1997.

Paramount is located in Rajshahi's Talaimari area in three separate buildings that provide a clean and secure environment for children and adequate space for playgrounds.

The curriculum at Paramount is comparable and similar to that followed by other English-medium schools in the country. Teaching and methodology are based upon a mixture of modern techniques that are modified for and adapted to local conditions. In general, Montessori methods are used in the junior classes, from Pre-School to Nursery, with a primary emphasis upon English language acquisition. Students of Classes I – VI have the opportunity of appearing in the Cambridge University Young Learners Exams conducted by the British Council.

The school is registered with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate as a centre for ‘O’ Level examinations under the Cambridge syllabus. ‘O’ Level preparatory teaching begins from Class VIII and culminates in intensive study in Class X. ‘O’ level subjects currently being taught are Bangla and English language, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Other subjects, such as Accounting and Computer Studies, may also be added to the curriculum.

In all classes, prescribed textbooks are supplemented to a large extent by specially prepared teaching materials. Children also have access to computers and educational materials, including English language learning courses, on CD ROMs. The school also has at present a small library consisting of reading material suitable for children of different ages.

Although teaching all subjects in English, the school fosters a firmly national outlook in all its educational activities, curricular as well as extra-curricular. The national language, Bangla, and Bangladeshi cultural and religious values have their due place in the curriculum.

The teaching staff of Paramount consists of Class Teachers (especially in the junior classes), Subject teachers (appointed to teach specified subjects), and Teaching Assistants serving apprenticeships. This staff is, upon need, supplemented by part-time teachers and by volunteers serving as teaching assistants. The school at present has a number of experienced and highly qualified teachers as well as some part-time instructors. The majority of teachers at Paramount are Masters graduates and some of them have worked in schools abroad. At present the teaching staff is made up of approximately 40 teachers. Since 2001, the school has participated in a number of teacher-training programmes conducted by the British Council such as ‘O’ Level teaching and assessment courses and English-medium teaching methodology at the primary level of education.

Teaching procedures, academic administration and curriculum development at the school are carefully overseen and supervised by the school management. The management is headed by an academic with long experience in secondary and post-secondary education who has held important posts in the Bangladesh Senior Education Service, including the Chairmanship of two Education Boards of the country. The School Director of Paramount, who holds the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and has worked at kindergarten and elementary schools abroad, heads the teaching staff.

Application forms for admission are usually available at the school office from October. Currently, the cost of each form is Tk. 100.00. All new entrants to the school will be required to submit their birth certificates and DPT immunization cards. The school reserves the right to admit or refuse admission to any applicant.

For boys: white shirt with neck-tie (white T-shirt in summer), black-and-white chequered pants, white running shoes and white socks.

For girls: white shirt with bow-tie (white T-shirt in summer), black-and-white chequered skirt, white running shoes and white socks. Girls from Class V onwards wear Shalwar-kameez.