The curriculum in the Primary School at Garden International School, Bangkok is based on the best curriculum models from the UK. These curriculums are adapted by our expert teachers to suit the surroundings and learning needs of our children.
Years 1 and 2:
The learning journey begins in Key Stage One with plenty of hands-on, practical experience. We believe that children learn best when they do, rather than simply listen. By basing classroom content on real-life experiences, we allow our students to develop their knowledge of the world around them. Our children are taught the skills and given the experiences which help mould their whole attitude to learning. Across all areas of the curriculum, students are encouraged to develop themselves as confident, independent learners.
Years 3 and 4:
In Lower Key Stage Two, students are encouraged to enhance their skills through continued exploration and detailed analysis of information. Our Literacy framework takes students on a journey throughout each unit, incorporating creativity, grammar and writing skills. Our Mathematics framework develops core skills and equips our students with the tools needed to reason and problem solve. Our Student’s creativity is enhanced by their continued study of music, sports and foreign languages. We know the world is made up of individual talents; here at Garden, your child can discover theirs.
Years 5 and 6:
In Upper Key Stage Two, the learning journey continues with the added focus of preparing our students for Secondary School and beyond. Children are given the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively using strategies to solve complex problems. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their own skills; celebrating their achievements and identifying what they need to do to progress further. Our aim is to provide our students with the tools and confidence to take on any challenge when the time comes for them to move on to the next stage of their school career.
Curriculum Support:
Upon entry to the school every child is asked to complete an assessment of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. The results inform teachers of the type and amount of additional support that may be required in supporting your child at school.
A Day in the Life of a Primary Student:
The Primary School day begins at 7:30 when we meet on the Basketball Court for our daily whole-school flag raising ceremony and welcome to the day. Students then head to their classrooms for registration time.
From 8:00am lessons begin. Primary students have seven periods a day consisting of:
- Literacy – daily
- Maths – daily
- Phonics – daily (up to Year 2)
- Reading – four times a week plus a library skills session
- Science – twice a week
- Topic – twice a week
- Computing – twice a week
- PE – twice a week
- Music – twice a week
- Modern Foreign Languages (French or Mandarin) – twice a week
- Thai – daily (Thai students) or twice a week (Expat students)
- Swimming – once a week
- Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) – once a week
- Whole school Primary Assembly – once a week
- Golden Time (our reward system linked to our behaviour policy) – once a week
*Spellings, times tables and group intervention tasks are linked to Literacy and Maths in the timetable.
Students enjoy a break time each morning from 9:20am to 9:40am when they can play with their friends and enjoy a healthy snack from our canteen. Lunch is served from 11:30 to 12:30 each day.
We end our day at 2:45pm for Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 and 3:00pm for Year 5 and Year 6. At this time, we have a ‘pick-up and go’ system for our car park where our staff work together to call the children from their classes as the families arrive to collect them.
We offer an Extra-Curricular Activity (ECA) programme every day which runs from 3:00pm to 3:45pm. There are options for families who would like their child to participate with a variety of activities available for them. Some are free, offered by our teaching staff, and others are paid clubs from external providers. These can be signed-up for on our Parent Portal.
Our families can keep up to date with their child’s learning through the platform Seesaw in Years 2 to 4 and on Google Classroom for Years 5 and 6. Each week, our class teachers keep families informed of special events for the children, such as a special event or show, as well as the current learning and dates to remember. Families can also message their child’s teacher via email to help keep communication open so that everyone can work together and our students have the best day possible, everyday!