Outstanding Education

In the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Maths is viewed as a vehicle to support inquiry, providing a global language through which we make sense of the world around us. It is intended that students become competent users of the language of Maths, and can begin to use it as a way of thinking, as opposed to seeing it as a series of facts and equations to be memorised.

The teaching at Quarry Bay School reflects this vision. Maths coverage is outlined on year group Maths Overviews, which have been developed in line with both IB and ESF Scope and Sequence documents.

As per ESF guidelines, there is a minimum requirement of 5 hours of Maths per week. Maths is taught by class teachers and students learn through a range of practical activities, explorations and discussions. To ensure a balanced approach to Maths across the school, there is an expectation that students will take part in - daily Mental Maths practice, strategy lessons and problem-solving tasks. Learning in Maths should be focused on numbers with a balance across the other four strands: data handling, shape and space, measurement, pattern and function.

The students frequently engage in investigations and problem-solving tasks and are provided with the opportunity to apply their mathematical reasoning to a number of situations, linked to units of inquiry where appropriate.

Mental Maths at Quarry Bay is defined as:

– Revisiting areas that need consolidation
– Keeping learned concepts alert in the mind and skills sharp
– Rehearsing number facts
– Practising skills that will be needed in the main session

In order to demonstrate effective practice, Quarry Bay School recognises that students learn Maths through constructing meaning, transferring meaning and then applying it with understanding. Within each of these areas, students will: 

Constructing meaning

– Explicit use of manipulatives to make sense of numbers, and Maths concepts

– Engage in rich dialogue to unpack findings

– Reflect upon interactions between ideas and objects

Transferring meaning

– Symbolic notation in the form of pictures, diagrams, modelling with objects

– Describe understanding using their own understanding of symbolic notation

– Subsequent transfer into mathematical notation

Applying with Understanding 

– Acting upon Mathematical understanding

– Use of symbolic notation to process and record thinking

– Practical hands-on problem-solving activities with realistic situations

Assessment of learning 

Students are regularly assessed on their learning journey through a variety of formative and summative assessments. These day-to-day assessments allow teachers to understand what students are thinking, address any misconceptions that may arise, and plan for future learning. Self and peer assessment are also key components of Maths learning, providing students with opportunities to reflect and adjust accordingly. 

English

At Quarry Bay School we recognise that language is our major means of thinking and communication. It is fundamental to learning and permeates the whole curriculum. It is not just learning a language but also learning about language and learning through language that we nurture a love of literature and an appreciation of its richness. English is our medium of instruction, but all languages are valued and students are encouraged to use their home languages.

Student language portraits are developed to help support lessons and appreciate diversity.

Opportunities for speaking and listening, reading, writing, viewing and presenting are outlined on Language Overviews. These ensure the coverage across English strands and are sequential throughout the school. These overviews are aligned with both IB and ESF English Scope and Sequence documents.

Chinese

In the world of the 21st Century, it is increasingly acknowledged that a complete education includes the study of at least one additional language. Proficiency in another language brings great cultural and intellectual benefits as well as promotes cognitive growth and facilitates international understanding. At Quarry Bay School, Chinese is taught as our additional language from Year 1 to Year 6. Please check our Specialist Provision section.

Science and Social Studies

Science

In the PYP, Science is viewed as the exploration of the behaviours of, and the interrelationships among, the natural, physical and material worlds. Our understanding of science is constantly changing and evolving. The inclusion of science within the curriculum leads learners to an appreciation and awareness of the world as it is viewed from a scientific perspective. It encourages curiosity, develops an understanding of the world, and enables the individual to develop a sense of responsibility regarding the impact of their actions on themselves, others and their world.

Inquiry is central to scientific investigation and understanding. Students actively construct and challenge their understanding of the world around them by combining scientific knowledge with reasoning and thinking skills.

Science coverage is mapped across the school and in line with guidance in the ESF Science Scope and Sequence. Opportunities for students to learn across the four key areas: Living Things, Materials and Matter, Earth and Space, and Forces and Energy, have been considered when developing curriculum maps. As Science is relevant to the transdisciplinary themes, Science learning at Quarry Bay School takes place within the transdisciplinary units of the programme of inquiry wherever possible.

Social Studies

In the PYP, Social Studies is viewed as the study of people in relation to their past, their present and their future, their environment and their society. Social Studies encourages curiosity and develops an understanding of a rapidly changing world. Through Social Studies, students develop an understanding of their personal and cultural identities. They develop the skills and knowledge needed to participate actively in their classroom, their school, their community and the world: to understand themselves in relation to their communities.

The aim of Social Studies within the PYP is to promote intercultural understanding and respect for individuals and their values and traditions.

The school’s programme of inquiry supports a focus on Social Studies across year groups. Opportunities for students to learn across the five key areas: Human systems and economic activities, Continuity and change through time, Social organisation and culture, Resources and the environment, and Human and natural environments, have been carefully considered when mapping the units of inquiry.

Assessment of Learning

Students are regularly assessed on their learning journey through a variety of formative and summative assessments. These day-to-day assessments allow teachers to understand what students are thinking, address any misconceptions that may arise, and plan for future learning. Self and peer assessment are also key components of English learning, providing students with opportunities to reflect and adjust accordingly.