The Junior Learning Programmes blend together the key aspects of an adapted British and Uruguayan curriculum, delivered through an inquiry based learning approach. There are parallel mixed-ability classes at each grade level. At all grade levels, in addition to the Form Teacher and the Spanish Teacher, full-time specialist teachers instruct and guide students in the areas of Music, Art, Drama, ICT, Library Skills and Physical Education. Field trips and School assemblies serve to broaden students’ horizons as well as to provide opportunities to emphasise aspects of the School’s Pastoral Programme.
While striving for academic excellence, it is equally important to bring out what is best in each individual student. A competent, experienced and caring team of staff guide students to develop their full intellectual, creative and physical potential while also aiming to foster self-esteem, independence, intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence and moral character.
The Junior curriculum is developing towards promoting a greater awareness of different learning styles in order to cater for the individual needs and talents of each student. The School expects all students to become fully bilingual in English and Spanish. All curricular subjects are taught in English, with the exception of (some specific) Spanish lessons and Physical Education classes.
In Form 6, in preparation for the State administered Primary Exit examinations (Prueba de Egreso), a high percentage of formal lessons are taught in Spanish. Fluent and effective communication skills, through both the spoken and the written word, are at the core of our academic programme. The Maths and Science courses not only impart a solid understanding of the subject matter, but also work to encourage logical thinking and develop problem-solving skills and strategies.
UNITS OF INQUIRY | |
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KINDER - 2017 - 2018 | PREP - 2017 - 2018 |
FORM 1 - 2017 - 2018 | FORM 2 - 2017 - 2018 |
FORM 3 - 2017 - 2018 | FORM 4 - 2017 - 2018 |
FORM 5 - 2017 - 2018 | FORM 6 - 2017 |
UNITS OF INQUIRY KINDER TO FORM 5 - 2017 - 2018 - 2019 | |
Physical Education |
All School publications aim to promote The British Schools in terms of an outstanding educational institution and transmit the Mission Statement whilst encapsulating the spirit and traditions of The British School’s unique educational community.
The Annual Report is published once a year – usually in June. Its purpose is to provide an overview of life at The British Schools during the stated year.
Items related to student learning and achievements, key outcomes, student welfare and pastoral, sports, activities beyond the classroom, the arts, staff, and future directions are included within its contents. The Annual Report is an "in-house", not professional, publication.
The Yearbook is a student-centred publication produced in-house. Published once a year – usually in March – its purpose is to provide a pictorial overview of the events during the stated academic year.
The Yearbook also includes class photographs, and photographs of the teaching and staff community.
Click on the image to download the latest Yearbook in PDF document.
A series of six brochures entitled “Achieving Excellence” were produced to communicate The British School's Mission Statement. Click on the front covers below to download a brochure.
At the beginning of each academic year, a series of Informative Meetings are arranged for staff to share important information with parents about the education of their children. Informative Meetings are arranged by grade. Please refer to the School calendar.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are held during the academic year to discuss learning objectives and student progress. Please refer to the School calendar.
A Welcome Breakfast for all new parents takes place during the first few weeks of the School year. This is an opportunity for new parents to be introduced to the School community in an informal setting. Please refer to the School calendar.
Parents who wish to request an interview with a teacher or member of staff, please access the Contact Us page (access by one of the options at the menu Contact Us at the bottom of this page), and please submit your request as follows:
Reports are made available to parents at intervals during the year. Please refer to the School calendar.
Information on learning objectives and student progress is channelled through Parent-Teacher Conferences. Individual meetings can be arranged separately through the appropriate Secretaries’ Office.
“… providing the educational environment and infrastructure to help students to achieve excellence according to their potential in academics, arts and sports, while recognising individual differences and needs.”
(Extract from the TBS Mission Statement)
Identification of student learning needs or special strengths is carried out as part of the Admissions process and continues throughout the student’s life at School.
The Learning Support Department analyses information in the Student Record and uses selected assessment instruments (diagnostic-tests, exams, surveys, benchmarks, standardised tests, observations, statistic results, mocks, IGCSE results, IB results, mid-term and end-term exams) and meetings to gather additional information.
These assessment instruments help the School to make informed decisions for individual students and groups and to plan the appropriate differentiated support or needs.
“Our role as international educators is to value differences and create a school environment where different student needs are accommodated.”
Effective Learning Support in International Schools (2004)
The School’s well-stocked Library Resource Centres are staffed by qualified Librarians and open to the whole School educational community including; parents and alumni.
OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue). This online catalogue provides electronic access to all material held in both the Junior and Senior Library catalogues. It has a range of features including; Search, Reserve, View Loans Records and Post a Book Review. Users can connect directly to website links and search for/connect to specific online resources. There are also links to videos, audio files and electronic documents stored on the School’s database. Other features include ordering books, stock control, and tracking overdue items. Onsite and “remote” access is available from the Junior and Senior Library portals via links on the School’s institutional website and/or intranet portal “Ecademicus”.
The Early Years Library is an inviting and interesting place that forms an important part of life in Kinder and Prep. Well known classic fairy tales and books by modern authors are introduced (both in English and Spanish). As the students begin to choose books to take home they are encouraged to act responsibly by taking care of the books and returning them to School on time.
Click image to link to
the Junior Library webpage
The Junior Library has a vast collection of fiction and non-fiction book titles and magazines to choose from. All items are listed on the School’s online catalogue OPAC. There is filtered Wi-Fi access and a well-equipped IT suite for use by students and staff, including class instruction. In addition to coming to the Library on a weekly timetabled basis, students also use the Library during break times and other opportunities to look for books or use the computers, complete work, carry out research, or play board games.
The Junior Library hosts a variety of activities both inside the Library and around the School in Junior. These activities include; storytelling, library skills learning, research, student book reviews, author visits, treasure hunts, games, cakes and crafts, reading chains, plays, book fairs, and “Voices” - a student-centred magazine with several editions issued throughout the academic year. Current and past editions of Voices can be viewed on the Junior Library portal.
Opening Times | |
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Monday to Friday |
0800 – 1630 (Closed between 1230-1300) |
Click image to link to
the Senior Library webpage
The A.J.Hobson Library in Senior is a 200m2 resource centre. In addition to the extensive collection of over 28,000 fiction and non-fiction book titles and resources listed on the School’s online catalogue OPAC, there is much more for users to explore through subscriptions to digital information and databases. The Library has filtered Wi-Fi access and an electronic tag and barcode system for processing loans. There is an open-plan area with work spaces, a loans desk, and silent reading room.
Opening Times | |
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Monday to Friday | 0800 - 1700 |
The Physical Education curriculum at The British Schools begins in Kindergarten and extends through to 4th Year Liceo. The programme of activities is age appropriate, with an additional focus on values formation. The extensive Physical Education programme benefits from a wide range of extra-curricular activities that enable each student to develop their full individual potential. The P.E. Department works closely with the School’s Pastoral Team to help students develop a sense of commitment to fair play and a respect for others through positive sporting experiences. Sporting tours are organised throughout the year to enrich the curriculum.
The curriculum design and delivery is consistent with the School’s Mission Statement and offers students a wide variety of activities. The teaching staff implements the curriculum through a range of approaches and teaching strategies that recognise diverse learning styles enabling each student to develop their full individual potential.
Physical education provides learners with a platform from which they can build physical competences, improve aspects of fitness, and develop personal and interpersonal skills and attributes. It enables learners to develop the concepts and skills necessary for participation in a wide range of physical activity, sport, dance and outdoor learning, and enhances their physical wellbeing in preparation for leading a fulfilling, active and healthy lifestyle.
Physical Education & Sports |
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P.E.& Sports Policy
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Year Group | Example of Curriculum Activities |
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Kinder & Prep | Informal activities that introduce aspects of physical development, coordination and an awareness of their own personal space. Encourage positive attitudes to living a healthy and active lifestyle. Through play, encourage students to enjoy social interaction and develop positive attitudes towards physical activities, and an awareness of values. |
Junior: Form 1 to Form 3 | Learn about the body through different activities. Work individually or in groups using a variety of resources. Develop different skills and introduce the rules required to participate in sports and games. Continue to develop values and to begin understanding the concept of fair play. |
Junior: Form 4 to Form 6 | Incorporate activities and exercises focused on posture through exercises of strength and flexibility. Aerobic activities to improve stamina and reinforce the cardio vascular system. Age appropriate practice and participation in different activities such as: Football, Rugby, Hockey, Athletics, Handball, Swimming. Commence programme of sports trips with other schools. |
Senior: 1YL – 3YL | Learn about their body, its possibilities and limitations. Consistent participation in practices and games to improve individual health, skills and quality of life. Encourage social integration through sport regardless of individual abilities. Incorporate the concept of fair play into daily life. Active participation in competitive tournaments and championships. |
Senior: 4YL | Continue to develop and perfect the specific skills related to each sport, incorporating activities and exercises focused on posture through exercises of strength, flexibility, stamina and speed. Reinforce the acquired knowledge about their body, its possibilities and limitations. Regular practices in different sports to facilitate the consolidation of healthy habits and positive attitudes that encourage personal growth and integration into other social groups. |
The Physical Education curriculum is compulsory for all students. This is supported by after School practices where student participation is voluntary.
The British Schools is committed to providing the educational environment and infrastructure to help students achieve excellence according to their potential in academics, arts, and sports, while recognising individual differences and needs. The purpose of the taught curriculum is to encourage students to become successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens – as defined in the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
"Education is a journey, not a destination." Emerson
All courses within the Senior curriculum ultimately lead to either the National or the International Baccalaureate. While the Liceo Programme is in itself a very exacting course of studies, attending to our international perspective the School also offers the International Baccalaureate, having the honour of being one of the original founding schools in the 1970s to do so. In preparation for the IB Programme, The British Schools also follows the IGCSE programmes produced by The Cambridge Universities Syndicate. Together, our graduates receive the best Uruguayan education possible with the clear option to study abroad if desired. While it is mandatory for all students to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, it is not however a general requirement for foreign students to follow the National Baccalaureate. These core requirements give the School an opportunity to develop a more interesting and challenging curriculum in addition to those elements already included within the traditional, compulsory, programme.
The IGCSE and IB Diploma results are carefully analysed to look for internal trends and to compare our own standing with International Benchmarks, the results of which are presented to the Board as a formal Report. This type of analysis assists in identifying individual student learning needs which are then discussed with the Pastoral Team who subsequently plan and implement appropriate strategies.
Select the Relevant Year Group to Read More |
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1YL |
2YL |
3YL |
4YL |
5YL |
6YL |
Physical Education |
Read More About the IB | |
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IB Learner Profile (English) | IB Profile (Spanish) |
IB International Programme |