Primary Years

Nurturing a lifelong love of learning

Southbank’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) creates a stimulating and challenging environment for children aged 5-11.

The PYP is designed to nurture a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect, and helps them to develop a lifelong love of learning.

Every one of our classrooms is a genuine melting pot of cultures and languages, which truly helps our students to broaden their minds and see themselves as a global citizen. Our classrooms are also vibrant, stimulating environments that nurture exploration and discovery. Without doubt, this creates independent individuals who are confident and curious learners, ready to fulfil their potential throughout their lives.

Jump down to:

Mission & Values
PYP Curriculum
Facilities & Location
Your Child's Journey
FAQs

A snapshot into our Primary Years Programme

“Southbank is a friendly, happy school where children feel welcomed and supported to be their best selves.

Our curriculum is broad and deep, which provides every child with a rich range of learning opportunities, including how to look after themselves and others."

Principal PYP (Hampstead)

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Mission and Values

We believe that every student deserves the best

We are committed to helping children acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalising world.

At its core our Primary Years Programme:

Develops the academic, social and emotional wellbeing of students.
Encourages students to become independent and take responsibility for their own learning.
Supports students’ efforts to gain understanding of the world and function comfortably within it.
Helps to establish personal values that support international mindedness.

Learn more about the PYP Programme

At the heart of the PYP

Six transdisciplinary themes of global significance are explored using skills and knowledge acquired from six subject areas, as well as skills that cover a range of disciplines, with a strong emphasis on inquiry.

The 6 transdisciplinary themes

Incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, helping students to see their relevance in the world and how they connect to it.

The 6 discipline subject areas

Our PYP Programme helps to develop skills in six key subject areas: Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Personal Social Physical Economic Education and the Arts.

Learn more about the Primary Years Programme

Learn about the PYP Model

Read our Primary Years Programme Curriculum Guide

View the IB Learner Profile

FACILITIES AND LOCATION

At home, in the heart of London

The PYP is available at our Kensington campus in Notting Hill and at our Hampstead campus. Both are relatively small, with each having a maximum capacity of around 220 students. This helps to create a family feel and close-knit community.

They include well-equipped music and art rooms, and libraries that are used regularly to develop information literacy skills. Because of the superb locations of our PYP campuses, students also have easy access to world-class museums, art galleries, theatres, parks, historic buildings and much more.

View the Virtual Tours

Kensington Campus

Hampstead Campus

“Visit either our Kensington or Hampstead campus and you’ll see that Southbank has a relaxed atmosphere and friendly feel. I think this has a lot to do with our teachers and our unique, internationally-minded curriculum.”

– Charlotte Gregson, PYP Coordinator (Kensington)

FAQs...

What is a normal school day?

PYP students start with registration at 8.40am and finish at 3.20pm, with an hour for lunch and play. After school, we offer dozens of extra-curricular activities that students can get involved in.

Find out more about our Extra-Curricular Activities

What is the size of the classes?

The size of our PYP classes is typically 12 to 18 students. We believe this small class size optimises the teaching and learning experience, and encourages to speak more confidently and freely, and collaborate more.

Who will teach my child?

We have recruited outstanding teachers from around the world who encourage a global perspective.

They also place great importance on assessing the individual needs of each student and providing the tailored academic and personal support they need.

How will you develop my child's Digital learning skills?

Digital learning is a key skill for our children to learn. The future will be paved with new technology and ways of thinking. We enable children to think creatively, problem solve and collaborate with peers. At Southbank we have a 1:1 device programme that students use throughout the school day.

What languages will my child study?

PYP students have the opportunity to learn Spanish as an additional language. For students whose first language is not English or Spanish, we also support the development of their home language, to help maintain their cultural identity and emotional wellbeing.

In addition, we offer English as an additional language (EAL) lessons to students aged under nine (Grade 4) who speak little or no English. We also make a big effort to celebrate the cultures and mother tongue languages of all our students. This provides an opportunity to learn from each other and fosters an appreciation of people’s different backgrounds.

How will you encourage my child's love of creativity and exploring ideas?

Students are naturally curious and teachers at Southbank are adept at developing and inspiring students' creativity. We do this through exploratory hands - on experiences, exposure to real life problems, critical discussions and asking open-ended questions to provoke thinking and action. Southbank values self-expression and we encourage this through our school productions, music programme and inquiry based learning.

How do you teach sport in central London?

Students at Southbank attend physical education lessons biweekly at our Sports centre which is a short journey from school. At this site students learn a variety of skills and games such as basketball, gymnastics, tennis and dance. We also make use of Hyde park and all students attend a play based session there once a week.

At Southbank we have an extensive extra curricular programme. Clubs such as fencing, chess, pottery, gymnastics, cheerleading and many, many more activities help promote confidence, develop relationships and friendships. Children gain transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, problem solving and time management. These activities offer students the opportunity to apply their skills in a real life context.

Begin your Southbank Journey

Enter one of our classrooms and we’re sure you’ll be impressed by the confidence and creativity of our students as well as our exceptional teaching staff.

Your child's learning journey

Early Childhood Years

3 - 5 yrs old

Primary Years Programme

5 - 11 yrs old

Lower Seniors

11-15 yrs old

Upper Seniors

15 - 18 yrs old

Admissions Process

Straightforward and simple

Find out more.

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