Grade 1 to Grade 5 Curriculum

In the Primary School, children learn in English for 70% of the day. Learning in English follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Cambridge Primary English and Abacus Mathematics from the UK.

IPC – With the IPC children learn about the world through thematic units that are creative, challenging and fun, designed to appeal to children’s burgeoning interests. Each unit has specific subject goals for all primary subjects including science, history, geography, music, physical education, art and technology, personal goals, and uniquely, international goals.

Themed units help children to see how subjects are both independent and interdependent; enabling them to see the big picture of their learning, make connections across different subjects, and talk about a topic from multiple perspectives.

The Winpenny IPC Route Planner shows the units that children are learning about in the Primary School.

Working with Cambridge Primary English, children from Grade 1 to Grade 5 begin to develop first language skills. Lively international fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts are the basis for teaching reading and writing skills, including comprehension, grammar, punctuation, phonics, spelling and handwriting. Learners practise their spoken English to build vocabulary and confidence through class and group discussion. They use and apply listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through individual, pair and group work. Engaging activities provide opportunities for differentiated learning and promote creativity and critical thinking.

Mathematics - In Grade 1 to Grade 5 using Abacus Primary Mathematics from the UK, children learn to become confident and successful mathematicians through a fun and engaging programme. Abacus Mathematics covers the following concepts with increasing complexity each year: number, shape, measuring, handling data and problem-solving. It takes an investigatory approach, encouraging learners to become independent thinkers with the confidence to tackle a wide range of mathematical problems.

Spanish - 30% of our children’s day (G1-G5) is taught in Spanish: PE, music, Spanish language and social studies. This ensures that as well as learning English our children are proficient in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the host country language. Our curriculum ensures that all students comply with the requirements of the national programme courses prescribed by the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP).

*In the unit Brainwave, children learn about learning; how their brain works, what they can do to make it work better and how to improve the way they learn.

Social &
Emotional
Learning

At Winpenny we want your child to be as successful as possible. Success in school is not just about reading, writing and mathematics, it is also knowing how to learn and how to get along with others. Our Social and Emotional Learning Programme teaches children skills for both social and academic success. It covers the following areas: skills for learning, empathy, emotion management and problem solving.

  • Skills for Learning: Children gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, reflect and be assertive when asking for help with class work.
  • Empathy: Children learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. They learn about different perspectives, how to be respectful, understanding and compassionate.
  • Emotion Management: Children learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings such as anxiety or frustration.
  • Problem Solving: Children learn how to resolve conflicts and stand up for themselves and others in a positive way.

Technology

From Grade 2 to Grade 5 children have the opportunity to bring their own device to school on two days per week. They learn to use the Google Suite for Education. This ensures technology is taught as a subject as well as being embedded in practical ways across the curriculum. With G Suite for Education children develop competent and practical skills so they can apply technology in their daily lives. Children learn to work on their own or collaboratively and build critical thinking skills whilst creating documents, using spreadsheets and making presentations.

The School Day

The school day for Grade 1 to Grade 5 begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. There are two 30-minute breaks; with time set aside for eating, socialising and free play outside. Every day children enjoy lessons taught by a Primary class teacher and a Spanish specialist. Physical education and music are also taught by specialist teachers. Every week children visit the library to change their reading books, research and read stories in English. Personal learning, effort and academic achievements are celebrated in a weekly assembly with the Head of Primary.

Uniform

Grade 1 to Grade 5 children wear Winpenny uniforms every day. On special occasions, Primary children wear their tie and a navy blue jacket. Twice a week they wear their Winpenny tracksuit for physical education. They also have an optional smock for art activities and warm clothing to layer during the cold months.

Grade 1 to Grade 5 Curriculum

In the Primary School, children learn in English for 70% of the day. Learning in English follows the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Cambridge Primary English and Abacus Mathematics from the UK.

IPC – With the IPC children learn about the world through thematic units that are creative, challenging and fun, designed to appeal to children’s burgeoning interests. Each unit has specific subject goals for all primary subjects including science, history, geography, music, physical education, art and technology, personal goals, and uniquely, international goals.

Themed units help children to see how subjects are both independent and interdependent; enabling them to see the big picture of their learning, make connections across different subjects, and talk about a topic from multiple perspectives.

The Winpenny IPC Route Planner shows the units that children are learning about in the Primary School.

Working with Cambridge Primary English, children from Grade 1 to Grade 5 begin to develop first language skills. Lively international fiction, non-fiction and poetry texts are the basis for teaching reading and writing skills, including comprehension, grammar, punctuation, phonics, spelling and handwriting. Learners practise their spoken English to build vocabulary and confidence through class and group discussion. They use and apply listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through individual, pair and group work. Engaging activities provide opportunities for differentiated learning and promote creativity and critical thinking.

Mathematics - In Grade 1 to Grade 5 using Abacus Primary Mathematics from the UK, children learn to become confident and successful mathematicians through a fun and engaging programme. Abacus Mathematics covers the following concepts with increasing complexity each year: number, shape, measuring, handling data and problem-solving. It takes an investigatory approach, encouraging learners to become independent thinkers with the confidence to tackle a wide range of mathematical problems.

Spanish - 30% of our children’s day (G1-G5) is taught in Spanish: PE, music, Spanish language and social studies. This ensures that as well as learning English our children are proficient in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the host country language. Our curriculum ensures that all students comply with the requirements of the national programme courses prescribed by the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP).

*In the unit Brainwave, children learn about learning; how their brain works, what they can do to make it work better and how to improve the way they learn.

Social &
Emotional
Learning

At Winpenny we want your child to be as successful as possible. Success in school is not just about reading, writing and mathematics, it is also knowing how to learn and how to get along with others. Our Social and Emotional Learning Programme teaches children skills for both social and academic success. It covers the following areas: skills for learning, empathy, emotion management and problem solving.

  • Skills for Learning: Children gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, reflect and be assertive when asking for help with class work.
  • Empathy: Children learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. They learn about different perspectives, how to be respectful, understanding and compassionate.
  • Emotion Management: Children learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings such as anxiety or frustration.
  • Problem Solving: Children learn how to resolve conflicts and stand up for themselves and others in a positive way.

Technology

From Grade 2 to Grade 5 children have the opportunity to bring their own device to school on two days per week. They learn to use the Google Suite for Education. This ensures technology is taught as a subject as well as being embedded in practical ways across the curriculum. With G Suite for Education children develop competent and practical skills so they can apply technology in their daily lives. Children learn to work on their own or collaboratively and build critical thinking skills whilst creating documents, using spreadsheets and making presentations.

The School Day

The school day for Grade 1 to Grade 5 begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. There are two 30-minute breaks; with time set aside for eating, socialising and free play outside. Every day children enjoy lessons taught by a Primary class teacher and a Spanish specialist. Physical education and music are also taught by specialist teachers. Every week children visit the library to change their reading books, research and read stories in English. Personal learning, effort and academic achievements are celebrated in a weekly assembly with the Head of Primary.

Uniform

Grade 1 to Grade 5 children wear Winpenny uniforms every day. On special occasions, Primary children wear their tie and a navy blue jacket. Twice a week they wear their Winpenny tracksuit for physical education. They also have an optional smock for art activities and warm clothing to layer during the cold months.