Primary - Canterbury School

Primary Department

San Lorenzo

At the Primary Department we follow the English National Curriculum adapted to our geographical location, with project-based learning and language immersion in English.

Pre Nursery

Welcome to the Primary Department

I feel truly privileged to lead the Primary Department at Canterbury School and to be part of a dedicated, caring team who ensure that each child receives the best possible education in their formative years.

We have an aspiration for all our children that through their school journey they will fulfil their academic potential and become successful lifelong learners. In addition, we endeavour that our children will possess high levels of both social and emotional intelligence so that they are well placed to succeed and thrive in the future, becoming active and productive members of society. Every child is special and has their own contribution to make.

We are proud to foster a family atmosphere, in which our teachers develop a relationship of trust with pupils and their families, while we encourage the older pupils to take care of the younger pupils through the Prefect and the Playground Friends schemes. Our House system also encourages integration and a feeling of the “whole school”.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit our fantastic school, or would like to know more, please do contact us.

Lindsay Gale, Head of Primary

Primary Department (San Lorenzo)

From 6 to 10 years old

In the Primary Department we follow the English National Curriculum which consists of 2 cycles: Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6).

Year 1 is taught at Milton House and the pupils move up to the Primary Department in Year 2.

The Primary years are lively, fun and challenging and provide pupils with many opportunities to think critically and independently, with an atmosphere that fosters enthusiasm for learning and promotes personal development.

As pupils learn the value of academic achievement, we also encourage them to take a broader view, hoping that each will contribute to the well-being of the school community by encouraging perseverance, initiative, and self-confidence.

The subjects taught are divided into Core and Foundation. The Core Subjects are English, mathematics and science while the Foundation Subjects are geography, history, computing, art and design technology, music, Physical Education and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education). Additionally, Spanish language is incorporated from Y2 following the curriculum stipulated in the LOGSE.

Children will develop pleasure in reading and listening, participating in discussion about books and poems, learning to consider the opinions of others; they will be able to write narratives about personal experiences and through role-play and drama they will improve both reading and writing skills.

English

Children will develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value, working with numerals, words and the four operations, developing their ability to recognise, describe, draw, compare and sort different shapes and use the related vocabulary. Using a range of measures to describe and compare different quantities such as length, mass, capacity/volume, time and money.

Mathematics

Through first-hand practical experiences ‘working scientifically’, books, videos, Children will look more closely at the natural world (plants, animals, humans, environment) and the humanly-constructed world around. While being encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice they will be helped to develop their understanding of scientific ideas.

Science

Children will learn about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality understanding basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation to enhance their locational awareness and through the history of events such the Great Fire of London or people such Queen Victoria life, they develop an awareness of the past.

History and Geography

With a special emphasis in teaching to use technology safely and respectfully, pupils learn to create simple programs with Pro-Bot cars, and make animations using ScratchJr.

Computing

Our aim is to inspire the love of the arts in our children encouraging them to express their creativity and imagination drawing, painting and sculpture, exploring a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space; singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes and playing tuned and untuned instruments musically.

Arts, Music, Drama

Children will develop fundamental movement skills and become increasingly competent and confident, dancing, playing team games, running and jumping, throwing and catching, as well as developing balance, agility and co-ordination.

Physical Education

Our pupils learn to speak clearly and convey their ideas confidently in English: justify ideas with reasons; develop vocabulary and build knowledge; negotiate; evaluate and build on the ideas of others. Giving well-structured descriptions and explanations, they will develop their understanding through speculating, hypothesising and exploring ideas. This enables our students to clarify their thinking as well as organise their ideas for writing. We continue with the Talk for Writing methodology started in the Infant department.

English: Spoken English and reading

Our pupils develop the skills to write at length, with accurate spelling and punctuation, and the correct use of grammar: narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations. A strong emphasis is put on developing vocabulary actively.

English: Writing and Vocabulary

Our aim is to ensure that all the pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, with increasingly complex problems over time; reasoning mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language. As pupils move up through the year groups they can solve problems by applying their mathematics with increasing sophistication.

Mathematics

Science education provides the foundations for understanding the world. Pupils learn the essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, our pupils are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena, understanding how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Science

In history, pupils gain knowledge and understanding of the past across the world. They investigate the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. They will learn about the rich legacy of ancient civilizations and understand how historical chronology shapes world events.

History

Pupils develop their knowledge about the world, and their locality. They learn to understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.

Geography

In computing pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. A strong emphasis is placed on using technology safely and responsibly.

Computer Science

Our aim is to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. We also aim to engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

Art & Music

In PE lessons, we aim to inspire all pupils to develop competence in a broad range of physical activities, to engage in competitive sports and activities, and lead healthy and active lives. Competing in sports helps to build character and to embed values such as fairness and respect.

Physical Education

Canterbury School pupils follow the English National Curriculum and all classes are taught in English. Additionally, the program stipulated by the LOMLOE for Spanish language and literature is followed from Year 2 to Year 6. All pupils from Year 2 have one lesson of Spanish a day.

Spanish Language and
Literature

Bilingual Education

All classes are taught in English except the Spanish Language, and English is, therefore, both a subject and the medium of instruction, whereby the development of spoken language, reading, writing, and vocabulary is an integral aspect of learning, as well as language comprehension and fluency, are essential foundations for success in all subjects.

Welcome to the Primary Department

Lindsay Gale, Head of Primary

Primary Department (San Lorenzo)

From 6 to 10 years old

Bilingual Education

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