Primary Curriculum
The British School of Brasilia builds on the secure foundations of our Early Years programme to provide an increasingly challenging platform for our Primary pupils.
Guide to Year Groups at BSB Primary school (for equivalencies with grade levels and the Brazilian curriculum, please refer here):
| Age | Year Group |
|---|---|
| 5 - 6 | Year 1 |
| 6 - 7 | Year 2 |
| 7 - 8 | Year 3 |
| 8 - 9 | Year 4 |
| 9 - 10 | Year 5 |
| 10 - 11 | Year 6 |
While the English National Curriculum (ENC) provides the core of our programme, we also go beyond it. Our objective is not merely to ensure that every child experiences the same curriculum but instead to create the opportunity for individuals to excel in the areas where they have special interest or ability.
The British Schools Foundation Integrated Curriculum is composed of three key elements that are interrelated and ensure that every child is achieving their personal and academic potential.
The Core Curriculum
We adopt an uncompromising approach to the teaching of English, Maths, Science and Portuguese to ensure all pupils have a strong academic foundation from which to flourish.
Our core curriculum is based on the ENC which is enriched and adapted to our context. The objectives that it sets out are considered a minimum requirement for all of our pupils.
Progress and attainment is measured annually through standardised testing with a detailed report provided to all parents.
Besides the English language, we place great importance on Portuguese and aim for all pupils to acquire a high level of fluency and confidence in speaking, reading and writing.
Mentoring in Primary School
The mentoring programme is central to our whole approach and it ensures that each and every child receives the guidance and support required to make excellent progress both personally and academically.
Our teaching staff take an active role and are responsible for a small number of pupils with whom they hold mentoring meetings. This ensures strong, positive relationships are developed not only between staff and pupil but also enables more focussed communication between home and school. This is particularly helpful for new families that join our school and pupils often remark how quickly they feel at home at BSB.
A key focus of our mentors is to encourage all pupils to value academic and personal achievement as the reward for hard work and perseverance. A positive ‘can-do’ attitude is encouraged in every member of the community.
While our pupils enjoy an element of choice in their curriculum experience, it is guided by their mentors ensuring that they make increasingly well considered decisions that directly influence their choices.
Our Primary Curriculum is designed to ensure that every pupil is well prepared for the challenges of Secondary school at BSB.
The Personal Development Programme
Our commitment to the personal development of pupils has resulted in a set of initiatives carefully designed to promote our core values of independence, decency, courage, awareness, presence, self discipline, leadership and teamwork.
Pupils are presented with opportunities to shape their school environment and contribute positively to the school community through our Pupil Voice, School Service and Leadership programmes.
Every child takes an active role in representing and supporting their House in regular competitions.
The pupils may also participate in our outward bounds programme, which focuses on adventure and on building resilience in the face of new challenges and experiences.
The Extended Curriculum (EC)
Pupils select from a range of project based modules designed to offer a broad and rich curriculum experience. The programme not only meets the requirements of the ENC but is designed to identify and extend the passions and interests of our student body.
For each strand of knowledge, the school offers a range of activities from which pupils may choose. These strands are:
- Knowledge and Understanding
- Sport, Health and Wellness
- Creativity and Performance
- Enterprise and Challenge
Learning is not limited to the classroom. Lessons are planned to be both engaging and challenging, expecting pupils to think critically and take increasing ownership and responsibility for their work.
Specialist teachers in our Arts, Music, Sports and Portuguese departments may be supplemented by professional musicians, coaches and outside expertise to ensure children thrive and enjoy an education of the highest quality.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
ICT is embedded within all areas of the curriculum. Students have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills using a variety of technology such as interactive whiteboards, laptops and iPads and are encouraged to use these tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly and creatively. They learn how to employ technology to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures. They also learn how to build websites, apps and software.
Increased capability in the use of computing promotes initiative and independent learning, with students being able to make informed judgments about when and where to use computing to best effect, and to consider its applications for home and work, both now and in the future.
While we believe the internet is an excellent resource and that children should see it as part of their learning and everyday life, we are very focused on embedding e-safety across the school. Children take part in regular e-safety activities to remind them of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.