Learning

Primary

Secondary

EAL

Polish Programme

Primary School

Key Stage 1 is comprised of two year groups: Year 1 (ages 5-6) and Year 2 (ages 6-7). The children in Year 1 are introduced to a more formal learning style when compared with their previous experience in Foundation. Meanwhile, Key Stage 2 breaks into four year groups: Year 3, 4, 5 and 6, with year 6 being a preparatory year for the demands of secondary education. 

The aim of both Key Stages is to guide the children as they increase in self-sufficiency and confidence in their own abilities, while providing an encouraging and stimulating learning environment. The first two years (KS1) focus on the children’s social and emotional development to allow them to become independent learners in KS2. Key Stage 1 children also begin to consciously participate in whole school community by inclusion in the school’s House system. Upper primary (KS2) children feel motivated to become role models for younger pupils. They also take up a more active role in their own learning. Small class sizes in both Key Stages assure that every pupil receives plenty of individual attention from experienced staff members. Their school day aims to maintain a healthy balance of indoor and outdoor teaching activities. Pupils enjoy our leafy grounds during each lunch break as well as many sports and gardening lessons. Twice a year, the school organises winter and summer camps away from the school’s premises. 

Teaching

BISC Wrocław follows the English National Curriculum guidelines, with all lessons conducted in English as the language of instruction. Children participate in regularly scheduled lessons, including the core subjects of Literacy, Mathematics and Science followed by Geography, History and Design & Technology. Specialist teachers conduct their lessons of Music, Art, Physical Education and Computing in dedicated classrooms. Children are guided to develop their natural curiosity through a range of experiences, which include independent and collaborative learning, hands-on projects, an integrated ICT approach and multiple educational trips. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on how different aspects of their learning are connected, presented with clear learning targets and praise for achievement.

Assessment

Teachers and assistants work closely with individual children, who are presented with clear learning targets. Each child’s progress is continuously observed, with evidence collected and monitored against the English National Curriculum levels. Pupils also participate in formal tests, including weekly spelling tests and end-of-unit tests in Science, Geography and History. At the end of Key Stage 1 pupils sit SAT tests in Literacy and Mathematics. External testing is conducted once a year from Year 4 to Year 6 in the form of International School Assessment (ISA) papers prepared and marked externally by the Australian Centre for Educational Research.

Leadership

Aine Mooney
Head of Primary

Zoe Brzezińska
Deputy Head of Primary