Junior School

The Junior School encompasses Years 3 - 6, catering to children from 7 to 11. We follow the English National Curriculum modified for our international context. Junior School aims to provide each child with the very best education and support within an environment that is welcoming and safe.

Core Curriculum

Our Junior School curriculum is designed to encourage our students to develop deep understanding and gives them the time they need to reflect and consolidate their thinking. We support our students’ natural curiosity and strive to stimulate their creativity.

The curriculum is reviewed and adapted based on current educational thinking and the changing needs of our students. It allows students, teachers and parents to work together using a wide range of resources to create a challenging, distinctive, and exciting experience.

Junior School students engage in topic-based learning, a cross-curricular approach that integrates different subject matter under an umbrella topic or area of interest. Students have dedicated English and Mathematics lessons and specialist teachers for Mandarin, Physical Education, Art, Design Technology, and Music. Where possible, the learning in these subjects is also linked to the current topic.

The curriculum affords students greater autonomy, allowing them to take greater responsibility for their learning. Regular assessments track student progress to ensure all children achieve to the best of their abilities.

Our Junior School students also benefit from an strong Co-curricular Activity (CCA) programme encompassing arts, music, sport, service, and academic pursuits, as well as formal and informal opportunities for service learning to build their leadership skills. In this way, they develop a strong sense of identity, an understanding of their place in the world, and the desire and confidence to make an impact on the community.

Mandarin Learning

We offer multiple learning pathways to students of all ages and abilities, from native Mandarin speakers to second language learners to absolute beginners who might be learning Mandarin as their third or fourth language. Our Chinese Native Language programme nurtures the following core capacitties in preparation for success in the International Baccalaurate Diploma Programme and beyond. Read more about our Mandarin program.

Technology

Technology begins to play a larger part in student life in Junior School. Computer Science is part of the curriculum with multiple stands: 21st Century Basics, Document Creation, Coding, Film, Robotics, and Digital Intelligence. Read more about our SE21 hubs here.

Growth Mindset and Wellbeing

A growth mindset, which has been shown to help students reach their goals, is built into the fabric of our Junior School pedagogy in the language we use, in our assessment strategy, in our responsive teaching tools and effective feedback methods, in our equal access approach, and in our use of an inquiry model. At its heart, a growth mindset believes that abilities can be developed, as opposed to a fixed mindset which stops at "I can or can’t do this and that’s it.”

At the same time, we prioritise wellbeing, as it is the foundation for academic success. By providing students and families with integrated and holistic support systems that focus on all areas of individual development, ability, and interests, underpinned by the framework below, our students are provided with a supportive environment of mutual care and concern from all staff members.

Home-School Partnership

Finally, we aim to ensure that parents are an integral part of our community. By working in true partnership, we create meaningful experiences for all. We use a combination of technology, virtual events, and in-person meetings to make sure that parents are empowered to support their child's learning journey every step of the way so that each child thrives and achieves all they are capable of.