Cambridge Primary
Key Stage 1&2:
Year 1 & Year 2
Our philosophy is to help children to develop as confident, enthusiastic learners, by providing them with an engaging, broad and rich curriculum. We lay the foundation for the academic and social skills that will be developed throughout your child’s school career. We construct our curriculum thematically so that subject content is linked. We provide our pupils with the opportunity to express themselves clearly and creatively as we believe that learning begins with children’s questions and our teachers will guide your child in finding the answers.
Year 3 & Year 6
In Key Stage 2 we will build upon the solid foundations laid in Key Stage 1, with the main focus being to expose pupils to a broader range of topics in order to better inform their choices when continuing their education in later years. The curriculum provides the structure for pupils to develop their questioning skills to enable them to broaden their research and investigate with greater precision, develop techniques in collaborative working and independent study, as well as educating them in a well-rounded manner and giving them a chance to develop lifelong interests and skills.
English
Your child will gain experience in reading, listening and understanding a range of texts, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. At this stage, children also learn to recite short poetic texts, participate in discussions on the texts they read and express their observations clearly. We implement a phonics program that will enable your child to identify, blend and decode words and produce their own texts. They will acquire grammar and punctuation skills to give their writing greater depth and precision.
Our English curriculum further develops skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Your child will read and interpret texts of increasing complexity, including an introduction to classic literature. They will have the opportunity to use their creativity in writing fiction and develop the precision and accuracy of their written and spoken language to deliver what they have learnt across the curriculum. The skill of listening will be used across the curriculum and supported and enhanced by response questions and note-taking. We provide our pupils with the opportunity to express themselves clearly and creatively and develop their skills and understanding.
Mathematics
Our Maths curriculum encompasses a range of skills including the number system, calculations, shape and directions. Your child will use learning about numbers and place value to help them solve problems in addition, subtraction, division and multiplication, both in calculations and real world situations. At this stage children learn to count, solve one-step problems involving multiplication and division, by calculating the answer using specific objects, pictorial representations and arrays.
Your child will extend number skills by solving calculations and word problems of increasing complexity and with a greater number of digits; they will also be introduced to fractions, decimals and percentages by the end of Key Stage 2. They will use their knowledge of place value to convert between units of measurement. They will extend their knowledge of shape to estimate and measure angles and they will use grid references to describe position.
Science
We implement investigative Science from the start. Beginning with asking questions, your child will be inducted in using systematic testing and observation to help them learn about the world around them. Your child will investigate: how plants, animals and humans are constructed and behave; how we can use the properties of materials; how seasonal changes affect the weather and the environment. During a science lesson, your child will learn to observe changes over time, notice patterns, group, identify and classify objects, perform simple comparative tests and use simple, scientific language to describe phenomena and observations.
We develop and extend our Key Stage 1 work on investigative Science by planning, executing and evaluating fair tests. We develop knowledge on habitats and biology of humans, animals and plants. Your child will acquire further experience with materials by investigating states of matter. In the Physics strand of our curriculum, your child will investigate space, light sound and forces through Key Stage 2.
History
History teaches children the complexity of the process of change and differences between communities, but also allows them to understand their own identity and the challenges of the modern world. In the Humanities, your child will investigate factors that contribute to events and places. We will also be looking at significant historical figures. We induct children in collecting and using primary and secondary sources to answer their own questions. Your child will gain a coherent knowledge of history and will be prepared to formulate observations, think critically, choose arguments, develop perspective and judgment.
In Key Stage 2, your child will consolidate their work on chronology and location. We teach them to identify change and continuity and offer explanations for cause and effect. Through refining questions, we teach children to seek and identify connections and contrasts and help them to draw their own conclusions. In our research cycle, we encourage them to evaluate the trustworthiness of evidence and check with further sources. History classes are a perfect space to develop critical thinking, selection of arguments, development of perspective and judgment.
Geography
Education in geography will arouse your child’s curiosity and fascination with the world and people. Our curriculum equip students with knowledge about different places, communities and resources, both human and natural. Deepening the knowledge of the Earth allows you to understand physical and human processes as well as shape and use landscapes and environments.
Pupils will expand their knowledge beyond the local areas to learn about the geography of the world. Children will develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge. They will also learn to understand geographical
Art & Design
Art embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity. We introduce children to various artists and their works, which is the basis for the development of their own creativity. From this starting point, your child will gain experience in manipulating a range of materials to produce pictures, sculptures and working models. Education in arts, crafts and design engages, inspires and challenges pupils. Art lessons are an opportunity to develop creative thinking and critical understanding of art and design. Our pupils also learn how art reflects and shapes history and contributes to the culture.
In Art, we continue to introduce significant artists and art forms as a basis for our work. Your child will use their increasing knowledge of materials and tools to design, make and adapt a range of artwork, toys and useful
Music
Music lessons engage our students and inspire them to develop their music skills and knowledge and also shape them as listeners. Your child will have the opportunity to use what they learn in music to contribute to group performances, building skills. Learning music also allows our pupils to increase self-confidence, develop creativity and a sense of achievement. Your child will be able to experiment with sounds, learn about music from different parts of the world and historical periods, learn to sing simple songs and listen attentively.
Through Key Stage 2, we continue to introduce children to significant musicians and composers. Your child will continue to compose and perform individual pieces and collaborative works. We extend the range and complexity of instruments your child will experience throughout the Key Stage. Music lessons are the perfect space to develop creative thinking and expression.
Computing
Computing lessons equips pupils with the use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Children will learn the necessary skills such as using computers and digital devices, searching for information, understanding simple programs and algorithms. Your child will gain experience in a safe use of applications, programs and the internet. They will investigate what computers can do and what they can do with computers.
In Computing, we continue our emphasis on using computers safely. At our primary school, we encourage children to think critically about whether a website is trustworthy and educate them in what to do to keep themselves safe. They will use apps and programmes as a tool across the curriculum and will be introduced to coding.
Physical Education
Physical education is extremely important for health and development of children. Our sport curriculum develops precision in movement and coordination. Your child will have the opportunity to engage in individual sports and team games. Students learn basic movement skills by doing simple exercises as well as taking part in physical activities based on both competition and cooperation.
We provide sport activities of increasing complexity in accordance with your child’s development. Throughout Key Stage 2, their movement and coordination develop to enable them to engage in a greater range of games and equipment. Physical education classes where children learn to cooperate and recognise and evaluate their own success.
Equivalence Chart
Starting Age
Key stage in national curriculum
Thames British School
Poland
United States
China
5 - 6
Key Stage 1
Year 1
Klasa 0 / Zerówka
Kindergarten
Preschool
6 - 7
Key Stage 1
Year 2
Klasa 1
Grade l
Grade 1
7 - 8
Key Stage 1
Year 3
Klasa 2
Grade 2
Grade 2
8 - 9
Key Stage 2
Year 4
Klasa 3
Grade 3
Grade 3
9 - 10
Key Stage 2
Year 5
Klasa 4
Grade 4
Grade 4
10 - 11
Key Stage 2
Year 6
Klasa 5
Grade 5
Grade 5
Learn more
We are always delighted to hear from prospective parents that are considering our international school for their children’s education. Please do not hesitate to call us on the phone number above or select from the options below:
Note: As an international school we conduct admissions placement all throughout the year. Applications for the academic year 2024-2025 are for children in Nursery (2.5 years old) through to Cambridge A/AS Levels and IB DP (19 years old).
