WA

The Primary section of the school uses the UK National Curriculum as the basis for our approach in Primary. This curriculum is adapted to take account of the fact that this is Bermuda and thus there are different opportunities available to us here compared to the UK. For example each year group covers a unit of study that looks at different aspects of life in Bermuda.

In the Primary section of the school subject areas studied in all year groups are: English (which include some aspects of drama), Mathematics, Science, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Humanities, Art, Music, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) Physical Education (PE), and Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

Each year group covers six units of study in a year. Units are studied for approximately 5 weeks (some need more time than this). Each unit aims to integrate the curriculum areas as much as possible to ensure we are taking a cross curricular approach
Example Core Learning Web for one unit of study in Upper Primary

Example Core Learning Web for one unit of study in Lower Primary

Assessment in Primary is based on Level assessment as used in the UK. We use this because it has been structured to ensure greater consistency amongst teachers within subjects and allow parents and students to compare their attainment against rigorously set levels/stages of achievement. Importantly, it gives structure to students and teachers as to what needs to be done to improve achievement. The use of level descriptors might be foreign to those who have used a percentage or symbol but what you will hopefully appreciate is that achievement can now be qualified against a set of specific attainment targets as opposed to “homespun” criteria.

Key points to be aware of with regards to this form of assessment:

• It is the assessment tool for the UK National Curriculum and we use it from Y1 to Y9 (which helps   with transition from Primary to Secondary).
• It provides uniformity across departments and schools and does away with “homespun” criteria.
• The level descriptors are specific and provide clear guidelines as to the requirements for attaining a level.This means both students and parents know what they need to show evidence of to move to the next level.
• Progression can be monitored against criteria and not against opinion.
• It highlights the skills needed to do well in a subject.
• It allows for more exact comments based on published criteria – students and parents should know precisely what they need to do next.
• It helps to identify areas that teachers need to improve within Schemes of Work.
• It provides targets for the students to work towards.
• It enables us to identify students who are struggling (below expected levels) and those that need pushing a little more.
• It benchmarks attainment against students in the UK, at a specific stage/age.