Primary School
* Planned opening, 2025 *
We aim to open our primary school in Cardiff in September 2024 for children from reception class (age 4-5) through to year 6 (ages 10-11). We accept students joining us into any year group at any time through the year, subject to a place being available.
​
Students joining us study a broad range of engaging topics to help build their knowledge of the world as well as their personal, self confidence. Our curriculum is more extensive than many other schools - we've built in early introductions to science, engineering and languages, formalised study of history and geography while also putting in place foreign languages for all students. Our curriculum is designed to exceed the UK National Curriculum Key Stage outcomes for all subjects.
​
Despite the breadth of the curriculum all students learn at the pace that suits their needs in a supportive and positive environment. We don't pressure children to learn and cram, we give them the opportunity to explore a suite of exciting and engaging subjects in line with their own learning style.
​
The primary stage is designed to give students the best possible skills in English and maths while also exposing them to a wide range of new ideas and experiences, giving them a broad exposure to all areas of academic and non-academic study. By the end of the primary stage, our students should be well rounded individuals ready for the challenge of high school.
​
During the infants stage (reception to year 2) our core focus for pupils is to open their eyes to the world around them, exploring the wonders of the natural world. In the junior stage (year 3 - 6) we move on to broadening their view of the world, undertaking detailed study of history, sciences, engineering, literature and art.
​
The main subjects we teach in primary years are:
​
Core skills. Every day begins with a Core Skills session covering over the week: reading, phonics (in infants), grammar, numeracy, social etiquette, mindset and collaboration skills.
English (taught as: Reading, Grammar, Written Logic & Reasoning, Written Communication). Students will engage with a range of modern and classic authors, including: Michael Foreman, Madhur Jaffrey, Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, J.K.Rowling, Cressida Cowell, David Walliams, Rudyard Kipling, Steve Backshall, JRR Tolkien, Shakespeare and many others. Students will also complete a detailed grammar programme to meet all requirements of English Key Stage 2 (from basic parts of speech such as nouns and adjectives to complex sentence structure, adverbial phrases, subordination, determiners and so on). Students undertake an exciting writing portfolio from their first words through to a structured programme of fiction and non-fiction writing challenges that helps them structure, plan and explore their creativity.
​
Oracy. Students take timetabled lessons every week focused on building up their communication skills in the form of both presentational-oracy (communicating, standing up and speaking) as well as dialogic-oracy (debating, logic and reasoning). We are one of the few schools in the UK to put these critical communication skills at the heart of our learning system. We actually want students who can stand up and debate back with us!
​
Mathematics (taught as: numerical and statistical reasoning, spatial and geometric reasoning, algebraic reasoning). Students undertake a detailed mathematics curriculum designed to build in the foundation blocks of mathematical knowledge and then advance to detailed study of all elements of maths in preparation for secondary study. Students are taught times tables and arithmetic as the foundation of mathematical processes before moving on to consider fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, geometry, probability, graphing, problem solving and advanced algebra in later years.
​
Sciences - Students begin the process of understanding the world around them with a scientific lens in the reception stage, examining animals and humans. During years 1 and 2, students undertake a general introduction to science, looking at materials, weather, plants and animals. In years 3 to 6 students undertake more formal study of biology, chemistry and physics, covering everything from our bones and skeletons to sound and light waves as well as chemical solutions and processes. Our science curriculum provides a fascinating and engaging programme of topics to challenge the budding scientist!
​
Computer technology - We live in the information age. Our students start building in their computer knowledge in their reception class, getting to grips with keyboards and mice. During their infants stage we start to explore all the fun and exciting things you can do with computers - including basic programming and looking at algorithms. In years 3-6 we undertake a range of topics from the physical elements of computers through to computer aided design, video editing, website creation, music programming and code-breaking.
​
Engineering technology - Running in parallel to our computer technology programme, our engineering technology syllabus looks specifically at a range of materials and applications of engineering systems. The programme includes everything from electrical circuits to challenges involving bridge building and cranes, automation, understanding propulsion, internal combustion and digital navigation systems.
​
Languages - As part of a global community we think it's vital that all students undertake a range of modern languages. Students start learning French in year 1, Spanish in year 2 and Mandarin in year 3. For students entering the school in later years with no experience of these languages, we offer support in helping them come up to speed as quickly as possible.
​
History - Understanding where we come from helps us to understand our place in the world. Our students start investigating history during the infants stage, looking at dinosaurs, famous people and local history. During years 3 to 6 we begin a formal curriculum of history study, covering: Early Civilisations (Roman, Greek, Egypt, Maya); British History (Stone Age to Iron Age, Vikings, Anglo Saxons, Queen Elizabeth I, explorers and empire, Queen Victoria and the Industrial Revolution); and the World at War (WWI, WWII, the French Revolution, the American Revolution and Civil War). Students gain in-depth knowledge of the key turning points in the development of the modern world.
​
Geography (taught as social history and physical geography) - Our geography curriculum develops an awareness of the world and how to navigate around it. We cover basic geography skills such as map reading while also considering topics in the natural world such as social responsibility, recycling, energy and water sources, transport networks, rain-forests, rivers, coasts, world religions, volcanoes and space exploration.
​
Creative arts - As important as our academic curriculum is our focus on developing children as individuals. We focus on art, drama and music with all age groups. In art students will work to express themselves creatively over a range of mediums. In drama, students will build up their self-confidence as well as acting skills. Our music programme is based around the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music syllabus for music theory and piano practical - all students receive keyboard instruction as part of their enrolment with the school. As well as focusing on their own outward expression we introduce pupils to the major artistic and musical movements from human history to expand their understanding of the world.
​
Physical education - All pupils undertake weekly fitness lessons as a class focused on building up stamina, physical movement and physical conditioning. We offer a range of after-school activities and clubs with popular team sports.
​
​
Our place in Wales
Based in the capital city, we are proud to be part of the Welsh family. A core focus in our curriculum is on understanding the world in which we live. In our history classes we look at Welsh and Cardiff history, from the Romans through to the industrial powerhouse of South Wales in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to the post-industrial service economy of modern Wales. In geography we undertake local walks to embed pupils in their local communities, looking at how the local area has developed over time and grown into a diverse modern hub for cultures from around the world. All pupils also have the opportunity to take part in Welsh language instruction, conversation and practice in our ‘Welsh Club’ that runs weekly as part of our extra-curricular activities programme.
​
​
We are always updating our curriculum to continually enhance how we teach so the exact syllabus a pupil follows will vary from the above in some regard. ​