Primary School Curriculum

Maths helps us to think analytically and have better reasoning abilities. Our primary mathematics curriculum encourages life-long enthusiasm for analytical and rational thinking.

Learners develop a holistic understanding of the subject, focussing on principles, patterns, systems, functions and relationships. They will become mathematically competent and fluent in computation, which they can apply to everyday situations.

‘Thinking and working mathematically’, a unique feature of our curriculum, encourages learners to talk with others, challenge ideas and to provide evidence that validates conjectures and solutions. When learners are thinking and working mathematically, they actively seek to make sense of ideas and build connections between different facts, procedures and concepts. This supports higher order thinking that helps them to view the world in a mathematical way.

Our new Cambridge Primary English encourages a life-long enthusiasm for reading, writing and spoken communication. Learners develop English skills for different purposes and audiences.

This curriculum is for learners who have English as a first language, and can be used in any cultural context. For learners who speak a language other than English at home, see our Cambridge Primary English as a Second Language curriculum.

Learners develop skills and understanding in four areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. They will learn how to communicate effectively and respond to a range of information, media and text.

Our new English as a Second Language curriculum empowers even the youngest learners to communicate confidently and effectively. It helps them to develop the skills needed to respond to a range of information, media and texts. The programme promotes active learning, develops thinking skills and encourages intellectual engagement.

This subject is for learners who speak a language other than English at home – there is no expectation that they will have prior experience of English before starting this course. We have based the curriculum on the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), used across the world to map learners’ progress in English.

Our exciting new primary science curriculum helps learners develop a life-long curiosity about the natural world and enables them to seek scientific explanations to the phenomena around them.

Students will think scientifically and develop practical skills alongside knowledge and understanding, which is vital for explaining the world around us. Improving learners’ awareness of science in the world around them develops their sense that ‘science is for me’, helping to connect themselves to the subject. This approach provides them with the knowledge and skills they require to excel at science in later stages of education and to make informed choices, including considering sustainability issues and meeting the challenges facing our environment.

The Cambridge global perspectives is a programme that develops the skills of research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, collaboration and communication. It strengthens the links across English as a first or second language, mathematics, science and ICT Starters. 

Research says that the earlier students start to develop and practise their skills, the greater the impact on their learning. Making Cambridge Global Perspectives available to younger students will develop and embed cross-curricular skills at an earlier age, supporting them in their studies as they progress to Cambridge Lower Secondary and beyond. 

Music fosters creativity and builds confidence. It helps learners to express themselves and shows them the importance of communication as they learn to connect with other musicians and with audiences. Learners explore music as performers, composers and informed listeners. They make, understand and appreciate music from different cultures, times and places, helping them to develop leadership and collaboration skills as well as self-confidence.

Students develop creative skills that will help with many aspects of their future learning and development. The course supports progression to Cambridge Lower Secondary Music.

Physical education is a vital part of a balanced school curriculum. Regular exercise improves physical and mental health and there is growing evidence that it improves academic performance across the curriculum. Establishing good patterns of exercise in primary school provides learners with the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle.

This subject is about learning to move and moving to learn. Learners develop skills through a wide variety of age-appropriate physical activities, including games, gymnastics and dance. As individuals and team members, they will:

• increase confidence, moving with increasing control, fluency and variety
• improve their understanding of concepts, rules, tactics, strategies and compositional ideas
• participate in respectful and responsible ways, engaging appropriately and safely
• improve knowledge and understanding of how physical education can contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle
• develop transferable skills promoting physical, cognitive and social development and become independent, critical and reflective movers and thinkers.

Students develop creative skills that will help with many aspects of their future learning and development. The course supports progression to the Cambridge Lower Secondary Physical Education.

Learners will move for as much of each lesson as possible, with activities designed promote learners’ confidence, self-esteem, cognitive abilities and social skills.

The programme is designed to complement, rather than replace, coaching in individual sports or physical activities.

Art & Design gives learners a platform to express themselves, sparking imagination, creativity and developing transferable skills. Students explore and push boundaries to become reflective, critical and decisive thinkers. They learn how to articulate personal responses to their experiences.

Students develop creative skills that will help with many aspects of their future learning and development. They will:

learn to see themselves as artists and become increasingly reflective and independent
develop the skills needed to express creative ideas and to communicate visually
understand their place and the place of others in a creative, innovative and interconnected world.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is now part of the educational experience worldwide and regarded as a new ‘literacy’ alongside reading, writing and numeracy.
Cambridge ICT Starters is a series of modules which assess candidates on their ability to use a range of computer software to communicate, handle information, model and program solutions. It is suitable for candidates of any age and is typically used for learners aged 5 to 14 years.
It can be assessed in English or Spanish.
Cambridge ICT Starters gives schools a flexible framework to develop learners’ ICT competence. Modules can be delivered according to the needs of each learning situation and age of the learners – across the curriculum or as a separate course of study.
Learners will develop key ICT skills in a range of applications including computer programming, word processing, digital graphics, databases, spreadsheets, email, presentations, video/animation, the internet and web authoring. They will also consider wider issues such as eSafety and the adaption of their work to suit their audience.

Digital literacy is an essential skill for learners of all ages, including the youngest primary students. The digital world allows us to connect, collaborate, innovate and discover new information on an ever-broadening scale, and learners must be able to effectively use technology from the very beginning of their educational journey.

• Students develop the digital skills that will help with many aspects of their future learning and development. They will:
• understand their place, and the place of others, in an interconnected world and make educated decisions about the information that they encounter online
• develop knowledge and understanding that will allow them to respond to, and evaluate technology of the future
• develop skills to create increasingly sophisticated documents and presentations
• learn how to become positive contributors to the digital world
• use digital technology safely and protect their own physical and emotional wellbeing.