Our Primary Curriculum, designed for students in Years 3 to 6 (ages 7-11), marks the beginning of a vibrant and transformative educational journey. At BIRS, we deliver the richness and rigour of the English National Curriculum through a dynamic online platform, creating a learning experience that is both academically challenging and deeply engaging. This crucial stage is dedicated to building strong foundational knowledge, nurturing curiosity, and fostering the essential skills that will empower our students to become confident, lifelong learners.
At BIRS, we believe that the primary years are about more than just academic attainment; they are about discovery. Our vision is to create a supportive and stimulating online environment where children feel excited to learn and confident to explore. We are committed to nurturing not only our students’ intellectual potential but also their character and creativity.
We aim to develop strong, articulate communicators who are also critical and analytical thinkers. Through a curriculum rich in diverse perspectives, we want our students to question the world around them, understand their place within it, and recognise the importance of respect, kindness, and collaboration. The skills and the passion for learning ignited here will serve them not just in their transition to secondary school, but throughout their lives.
To bring learning to life, our Primary Curriculum is built around a series of exciting half-termly themes, such as ‘Rocking Romans,’ ‘Food Glorious Food!’, and ‘Inventors and Explorers.’ These themes are carefully designed to weave a common thread through different subjects, creating a cohesive and immersive learning experience. For example, a theme on ‘The Romans’ in History will be complemented by reading related texts in English and exploring geographical concepts of the Roman Empire. This cross-curricular approach helps students make meaningful connections between subjects, deepening their understanding and making learning more memorable and fun.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced, ensuring students receive a comprehensive education across all key disciplines.
English (Writing, Reading & Spelling)
English is at the heart of our curriculum. Students develop a love of language and literature through exposure to a wide range of high-quality texts, from modern classics like Ted Hughes’ The Iron Man and Michael Morpurgo’s The Butterfly Lion to a diverse selection of non-fiction and poetry.
Mathematics
Our mathematics curriculum is designed to build confident and skilled mathematicians. We follow a mastery approach, ensuring students develop a deep and secure understanding of concepts before moving on. The curriculum progresses logically from foundational skills in Place Value, Addition, and Subtraction to more complex areas including Multiplication and Division, Fractions, Decimals, Geometry, and Statistics. We place a strong emphasis on developing problem-solving abilities and logical reasoning, encouraging students to apply their mathematical skills to real-world contexts.
Science
In Science, students become curious investigators of the world around them. Our thematic, inquiry-based curriculum covers key topics in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Students will explore everything from Rocks and Light, States of Matter, and the Solar System to Living Things, their Habitats, and the Human Body. Learning is hands-on and interactive, designed to spark curiosity and develop skills in observation, investigation, and analysis.
Humanities (History & Geography)
Our Humanities curriculum takes students on a journey through time and across the globe.
Computing & Handwriting
Recognising the importance of digital literacy, our Computing curriculum equips students with essential modern skills, progressing from online safety and using databases to desktop publishing and block-based programming. Alongside this, dedicated Handwriting lessons use fun, thematic approaches like ‘Curly Caterpillars’ and ‘ZigZag Monsters’ to develop neat, legible, and fluent handwriting.
Assessment and Progress
Student progress is carefully monitored throughout the primary years. This is achieved through a balanced combination of informal, in-lesson assessment by teachers (such as live questioning and marking of work) and more formal end-of-topic or end-of-term assessments. This allows us to ensure that each child is being appropriately supported and challenged. We believe in a strong partnership with parents and provide regular, detailed feedback on student progress and achievements.
Our goal is to ensure that by the end of Year 6, every BIRS student is not only academically prepared but also personally confident and ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of our Secondary School curriculum.
