PRIMARY

Our Primary department continues to follow the British National Curriculum whilst taking into account the richness of the environment and culture in Spain. All of our experienced teachers are fully-qualified and trained in the United Kingdom.  Almost all primary subjects are taught in English with the compulsory Spanish Studies being delivered by experienced native Spanish teachers.

At the British School of Almería, we believe that educating the child involves helping them to become independent learners who will learn in many contexts and not just during their time at school. Establishing a strong and effective partnership between home and school is fundamental to this belief.

Undoubtedly, children learn best when they play an active role in their learning and also when the activities suit their individual needs. For effective learning to take place, the children themselves must really want to learn and to do their best. At the British school of Almería, we constantly encourage our pupils to learn to levels which amaze them.  We also like to reward these successes through a system of points, certificates and special awards and prizes.

In the British system, we differentiate the curriculum to cater for the different levels within any class. Specialist teachers and assistants give children support where they may have difficulty with some aspects of the curriculum. This may take place in the class or a group may be withdrawn to another room.  Children who are exceeding their expected level are given extension work in class and sometimes groups are taken out of class to meet their needs for work at a higher level.

The three core subjects are mathematics, English language and science which run alongside the compulsory Spanish curriculum.

Pupils in Years 1-6 have literacy, numeracy and Spanish lessons every day, whilst science, art, physical education, music, citizenship and humanities, are taught at least once a week. Much of the curriculum is taught through themes, so that, where possible, links are made between the subjects. Each year group has a different theme each term, which ensures a broad and balanced curriculum with skills progression throughout the primary years.  ICT is taught formally in Primary in an ICT suite where all the children have exclusive access to their own computer.