The Primary Curriculum

At TEA, we offer a curriculum that is broadly based on the British National Curriculum, including the Literacy and Numeracy strategies. This has been adapted to meet the needs of our students and to be sensitive to the local culture.

In the Early Years Department, the emphasis in the curriculum is on English and Mathematics. Due stress is placed on speaking, listening, reading, writing and spelling. The children are encouraged to use their increasing knowledge of the English language to become more independent.

Children in KG and Reception are provided with structured experiences where they have opportunities for social development, language, literacy, numeracy, creative expression, physical development, music, cooking and theme-based activities. When they start in Reception, the children embark on a thorough phonic, reading and numeracy programme. By the end of Reception, students should be fully prepared for Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum.

In Key Stage 1, (Years 1 and 2), more formal structures ensure that all children develop their potential in all areas of the curriculum, especially Literacy and Numeracy and cross-curricular topics which embrace Humanties and Science. In addition to the development of specific skills and competencies, the curriculum emphasizes thinking skills, enquiry, creativity and the ability to apply knowledge across a wide range of learning contexts.

In the Junior Department, Key Stage 2, the emphasis, again, is on English and Mathematics. We aim for the children to be able to function effectively through the English language – both in the spoken and written form. The study of Science, History and Geography becomes more formal and the children take lessons in these each week. A strong emphasis is placed on the learning of skills, not just the acquisition of knowledge. In Years 5 and 6, the children are also required to take one lesson each week in Kuwait Social Studies, following a Ministry of Education prescribed course. French is offered to the top set in Years 4, 5 and 6.

KG to Year 6 have specialist lessons in PE and Music. Years 3 to 6 also have specialist teachers for Art and ICT. Please see the ‘Specialist Subjects’ pages for more information.

In line with the Kuwait Ministry of Education directives, all of the children learn Arabic either as a native language or a foreign language. Muslim students follow a programme in Qura’an and Islamic Studies. The Arabic Department follows the Kuwait Ministry of Education programme for these subjects.

Field trips and outings are arranged to support and extend the curriculum, giving the students the opportunity to develop their knowledge in practical and stimulating contexts.

Gemma Furey
Head of Primary