Other subjects are delivered through the International Primary
Curriculum, a cross-curricular, thematic curriculum validated by the
University of Bath, England and taught in international schools across
the world. Children learn best when they are highly motivated and
interested, so topics are chosen which fire the imagination but which
also enable teachers to develop a wide range of progressive skills
across several subject areas.
The curriculum helps develop a growing understanding of the unique
features of each subject (the independence of a subject), whilst also
developing an understanding of how it links with understanding about
other subjects (the inter-dependence of subjects within a curriculum).
The IPC subjects for Primary are:
- Art
- Geography
- History
- Information and Communication Technology
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science
- Technology
At Junior level, we teach UK National Curriculum Science as a separate
subject to prepare children for the Middle School Science programme. At
Infant level, the skills are very similar in both programmes, and the
integrated programme of the International Primary Curriculum best
matches our topic-based approach.
In addition to teaching specific subject skills, the International
Primary Curriculum teaches personal skills and emphasises the need for
developing international understanding. As children progress through the
school they begin to develop an understanding and appreciation of the
similarities and differences between countries. Activities help them to
focus on an understanding of their host country and their home country -
a feature which introduces them to the range of experiences in any group
of "international" children. A key feature of such developing
internationalism is the need for children to have an understanding of
his or her own culture (the "national") before they can fully develop an
understanding of inter-nationalism.
Music is an important part of the school curriculum. In addition to
specialist teaching for class Music, children can also participate in a
range of specialist instrumental lessons. A charge is made for
instrumental lessons.
French is taught in ability groupings from Y2 upwards. Reception and
Year Classes are taught as a homogenous group, more appropriate to the
specific needs of this age group. A beginner's group enables children
new to France to learn about the language and culture of their new
"host" country. The Intermediate group works at a faster pace with a
greater emphasis on developing reading and writing skills. The advanced
group shadows the French national programme, modified to the specific
needs of an international school.
Physical Education is taught in French, where appropriate. From Year 1
upwards, use of the local swimming pool in Colomiers provides an
opportunity for students to learn how to swim or to improve their
swimming style. Other activities take place on the school site, with use
of a school gym, hard courts and playing fields.
For students requiring additional English language support, the
International Department provides support for students of English as a
Second Language. For students requiring additional classroom support in
leaning skills, the Learning Support Department provides assistance in
diagnosing and supporting specific educational needs.
