The British School
New Delhi

Primary

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Message from Primary Principal,
Nicola Matthews

Our Primary school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage programme followed by the National Curriculum of England.
The broad, balanced, rich and varied curriculum is flexible and responsive to each child’s wider needs. A strong emphasis on honesty, pride and integrity is tied in with the TBS Learner Profile attributes.

We believe that all students should benefit from the rich experiences that life in India provides and have adapted the curriculum to maximise the opportunities which exist here.

With personalised teaching and learning practices, our students grow into well-rounded, happy and responsible people ready for an easy transition to the demands of the secondary curriculum.

Our Nursery and Reception years follow the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

This curriculum is based upon four themes and principles:

  • Unique Child – Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
  • Positive Relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
  • Enabling environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents.
  • Learning and development – Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years’ provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Primary areas of learning

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development

Specific areas of learning

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understand the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

The Curriculum provides a broad range of skills, enabling students to build firm foundations and allowing the next blocks to be built through the National Curriculum. Our students leave EYFS being able to communicate and ask questions, and with the ability to form positive relationships as they transition to the Key Stage 1 Phase. Communication is shared with parents through curriculum letters, parent-teacher conferences, Tapestry, MSP and school reports.

Key Stage 1 comprises of Years 1 and 2, focused on providing continuity and progression in learning for students as they transition from child-initiated play in EYFS to structured learning experiences. It enables students to experience the joy of discovery, problem solving and creative thinking to grow intellectually, socially, mindfully and emotionally.

The Curriculum is designed to develop students’ interests to explore and learn confidently and collaboratively. It promotes an enquiring mind with the capacity to think rationally through the essential learning skills of English, Maths, Humanities, PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and rama, Music, Dance and Physical Education. Hindi, the most prominently spoken language in the host country, is introduced in Year 1 and continues until Year 6.

Assessment of learning is an ongoing process of evaluating, recording, tracking and reporting progress to inform planning and differentiation on a daily and unit basis. Learning expectations and progress are communicated to students through teacher feedback, celebration of student learning and opportunities to self-reflect and peer assess. Curriculum letters, parent-teacher conferences, notes in the school diary, MSP and school reports are used for communication between teachers and parents.

Partnership with parents is a powerful tool and we welcome and appreciate parental support with student learning and school life as we together prepare them to move on to Key Stage 2.

Key Stage 2, encompassing Years 3, 4, 5, and 6, marks a pivotal stage in our students’ learning journey—one that nurtures curiosity, independence, and reflection. During these transformative years, students are encouraged to delve deeper into their learning, developing a strong sense of inquiry that supports their evolution into confident, self-directed learners.

Our curriculum is a rich, interconnected tapestry that promotes both academic excellence and personal development. Rooted in the core disciplines of English and Mathematics, it expands through dynamic cross-curricular links with Humanities, Science, Dance, Drama, Music, Modern Foreign languages and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

Physical Education, a cornerstone of our holistic approach, nurtures not only physical aptitude but also the virtues of teamwork, resilience and self-discipline.

Through meticulously designed cross-curricular units, we nurture in each pupil the confidence, intellectual curiosity and strength of character required not only to thrive within the classroom but also to flourish in the wider world and beyond.

The learning environment is intentionally collaborative, offering students opportunities to work with peers while cultivating independence. Our approach emphasises key attitudes and values that support long-term growth, including empathy, responsibility and global citizenship. Students engage with both local and global cultures and are empowered to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the environment.

To meet the diverse learning needs of every child, we implement a broad range of teaching and assessment strategies. Our Approach to Mastery and Excellence framework ensures deep conceptual understanding, while carefully designed homework tasks reinforce class learning, build independence and develop time management skills.

Student agency lies at the heart of our pedagogy, with carefully designed activities that empower learners to make choices, express their voice and take ownership of their learning journey.

In close partnership with families and the wider community, we are dedicated to ensuring that every child leaves Key Stage 2 not only with a strong academic foundation, but also with the values, confidence and sense of purpose needed to make a meaningful contribution to the world.