An Enthusiasm For Learning
Our lower school curriculum has been developed over more than a decade and draws on the experiences and expertise of our Trustees within The Schools Trust. Lessons are lively, fun and challenging and provide pupils with many opportunities to think critically and independently.
lower School Curriculum Overview
The British School is a place where children have many opportunities to develop and thrive. Learning is not limited to the classroom but can also take place on the sports field, preparing for a performance, through a community service project or in any one of the various activities that pupils regularly take part in.
Our teachers strive to create an atmosphere that fosters enthusiasm for learning and promotes the personal development of each child. Pupils quickly learn the value of academic achievement, but they are also encouraged to take a broader view of success. Every member of the school, young or old, is expected to contribute to the welfare of the school community. Leadership and initiative are encouraged and celebrated.
Small class sizes and a low student to teacher ratio means that each child can receive the support and attention required to make excellent progress. Specialist teachers, professional musicians and coaches help ensure a broad education for our pupils.
The aim of the curriculum is to offer pupils a strong academic foundation and a diverse learning experience that allows them to excel in those areas where they have particular interests or abilities.
The programme is based on the English National Curriculum (ENC) and has been enriched and adapted to our context. We aim for a high standard of attainment, and many pupils will be working at a level that goes beyond the objectives of the ENC.
While core subjects such as English, Maths and Science form a central part of the curriculum, our Integrated Curriculum for pupils in Years 1-4 offers a broad range of topics including Computing, Geography, Art and Design and History. In Year 5, we move towards a more clearly defined subject orientated timetable with increasing access to subject specialist teachers in preparation for Middle & Senior School. As an international school, we place great importance on the learning of a second language (Portuguese) and provide opportunities for pupils to acquire a high level of fluency.
We are committed to ensuring our young pupils experience a wide range of disciplines. Everyone is required to play in a sports team, learn a musical instrument, take part in a performance and join in one of the school’s various outreach programmes. A range of other optional activities and educational trips complete the schedule.
If you have any questions about the curriculum and the expectations children aim to meet by the end of each school year, please make an appointment with your child’s teacher.
End Of Year Expectations
In order to help parents and carers support their children’s learning in school, we have produced information booklets containing the end of year expectations for Lower school. Use the reader below to view more information or download your own copy for your child’s year group.
The information you will find documented in the booklets below forms the expectations that your child will be assessed against. We have shared them with you so you are fully aware of what the End of Year Expectations are for your child and their respective year group.
These booklets list key skills that should be in place by the end of your child’s current year. This is based on abilities needed so that he/she can fully access the age-related curriculum the following year. We hope that you will find these documents useful to help support the work we do and in helping us to ensure your child is achieving their potential. Teachers will share your child’s progress with you, throughout the year at Parent-Teacher Consultation (PTC) meetings.