Primary School

Primary School is a five minute walk from Berlin’s historic Olympic stadium in the leafy suburbs of Charlottenburg.  Catering for the needs of children from Years 2 to 6 (ages 6-11), our single storey building houses ten light, airy classrooms in addition to specialist teaching facilities including language rooms, library, music room, gym and  computer suite. In addition, there is a well-equipped playground.

Building on the foundation skills gained at Early Years, experiences here continue to enhance the children’s ability to learn independently.  We aim to inspire and challenge all children by developing:

• Successful learners - who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
• Confident individuals -  who are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
• Positive citizens - who are able to contribute to a better society

 The School Day

The school follows the English National Curriculum with appropriate modifications to maximise the opportunities for promoting intra-cultural understanding and to educate them about our host city – Berlin.

Naturally, the key to successful education rests firmly with how a curriculum is implemented, as much as its content.  By linking subjects in context we give learning relevance, and provide students with the opportunity for critical thinking.  Themed weeks focusing on topics such as friendship, the environment or design and technology, are a common occurrence.  Lessons are characterised by differentiated activities tailored to meet the needs of individual children.  Extra support is offered when limited language or other learning requirements may prevent children from achieving their full potential.  By the same token, children who require extending are offered more challenging tasks.  Regular reporting and close contact with parents ensure that channels of communication on children’s progress are kept open.

While academic rigour is embedded in the school ethos, and our standards of achievement give us reason to be proud, these qualities are not at the expense of creativity or social development.  We recognize that many other skills, attitudes and attributes are necessary in order for children to lead successful and fulfilled lives.  Good behaviour is fostered by focusing on the positive and articulating what is expected.  Children are taught to accept responsibility for their actions and take an active role in determining how mistakes can be rectified.

Our changing society provides us with an ever-increasing range of new challenges that offer positive opportunities.  Children now receive multimedia lessons in our fully networked computer suite and benefit from interactive whiteboards in every classroom.  While every effort is made to ensure that technology is used to enhance learning, we are mindful not to neglect well researched pedagogical practice; whenever possible the ‘hands-on’ and practical takes precedent over the virtual.

Extracurricular Activities

Our entire planned learning experience goes well beyond regular lessons.  School trips (including a week long residential in Year 5), an extensive range of clubs, festivals, instrumental concerts, productions, class assemblies, summer fairs and numerous sports competitions all provide children with many wider learning experiences, yet are also incorporated into the core curriculum.  A school production, for example, not only provides opportunities for children to exercise thespian talents, but also to become involved with set and lighting design, poster making, and report writing for the school Yearbook or website.

In our commitment to making school life positive for all members of our community we view every experience as an opportunity to develop the self-confidence and motivation necessary to achieve full academic potential, and to enjoy school life as a whole.