Primary School

Academic

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Overview

Our Primary School fosters a challenging but supportive environment where pupils in years 1 through 6 can thrive. We teach the English National Curriculum adapted for international learners, with a strong focus on Chinese language acquisition informed by the Chinese National Curriculum. Alongside core subjects like STEM and English, our curriculum incorporates learning in the arts, computing, and PE. Crucially, we prioritise developing essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and collaboration. As our pupils progress, they gain greater independence and confidence along with increasing specialised subject teaching. So, by the time they transition to Secondary School, they are fully prepared to take charge of their own learning.

An enhanced curriculum at the best primary school in Shanghai

Our Programme of Inquiry

Throughout the Primary School, we implement a Programme of Inquiry. With this uniqueconcept-based and transdisciplinary method, we teach our pupils to see the bigpicture in their learning. We compel them to draw connections across subjects,to interrogate what they learn and to consider its relevance to the worldaround them. We introduce each Inquiry unit with an exciting ‘Hook Day’. Insubsequent weeks, pupils participate in varied learning experiences andprojects centred on the theme. They conclude each unit by showcasing their knowledge,skills and understanding of the subject matter in a final project. Along theway, they gain practical skills, such as research, communication, projectmanagement and teamwork. And, hopefully, they understand their place in theworld and the positive impact that can have on it.

Nurturing growth

It is during the Primary School years that pupils make the pivotal transition from general classroom teaching to specialised teaching. By year 5, our pupils begin to develop a sense of independence and personal responsibility as they work in different classrooms with different teachers. By the end of year 8, they will be well prepared as they advance to our Secondary School.