Cambridge Primary
Cambridge Primary Ages 6–12
Students build a strong academic foundation and develop the knowledge, skills and independence to continue learning with curiosity and confidence.
Key Stage 1 & 2
A strong foundation for knowledge, curiosity and independence
Cambridge Primary is the second stage within the continuous NIS learning pathway. Students build on the foundation laid in Cambridge Early Years and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to learn ever more independently.
Within this stage, NIS offers a broad and balanced curriculum. A strong academic foundation goes hand in hand with enquiry-based learning, creativity, multilingualism, digital skills, physical activity and personal development.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, apply knowledge, discover connections and approach problems from different perspectives. In this way they develop not only what they know, but also how they think, learn and work together.
The curriculum
What will your child learn?
Within Cambridge Primary, NIS offers a broad curriculum in which knowledge, skills, enquiry-based learning and personal development are connected.
English
Within English, students develop their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. They learn to use the English language with growing accuracy, confidence and purpose, and work with different types of texts and ways of communicating. A strong command of English forms an important foundation for the rest of the Cambridge learning pathway.
Mathematics
Within Mathematics, students develop their mathematical knowledge, understanding and skills. Beyond arithmetic and finding answers, the emphasis is on mathematical thinking. Students learn to reason, use strategies, solve problems, recognise connections and explain their approach.
Science
Within Science, students explore the natural world and develop both scientific knowledge and enquiry skills. Students learn to observe, ask questions, make predictions, carry out investigations, collect results and draw conclusions. In this way, curiosity, critical thinking and the application of scientific knowledge are brought together.
Computing
Within Computing, students learn to understand how computers and digital systems work. They develop computational thinking and are introduced to programming, data, networks and computer systems. Students learn to analyse problems logically and to design and create digital solutions.
Digital Literacy
Within Digital Literacy, students learn to use digital technology consciously, safely and responsibly. They develop the skills to find, evaluate, use and create digital information and learn to engage critically with online communication, digital safety and new technologies.
Cambridge Global Perspectives™
Within Cambridge Global Perspectives, students develop skills they can apply both in and beyond school. Students explore topics from personal, local and global perspectives. In doing so, they develop skills in research, analysis, evaluation, reflection, collaboration and communication.
Humanities
Within Humanities, students explore people, the past and places. They develop knowledge and skills around societies, history and geography and learn to better understand their local, national and global environment. By asking questions, investigating information and comparing different perspectives, they develop critical thinking and a broader understanding of the world.
Art & Design
Within Art & Design, students are given the space to explore, experiment, create and express themselves visually. They are introduced to different materials, techniques and creative processes and learn to develop ideas, make choices and reflect on their own work and that of others.
Physical Education
Movement is an important part of students’ development. Within Physical Education, students develop physical and motor skills. They also learn to work together, participate, take responsibility and develop a positive attitude towards movement and an active lifestyle.
Wellbeing
Within Wellbeing, there is attention for students’ personal, social and emotional wellbeing. Students learn to better understand themselves and their emotions, to build positive relationships and to deal with change and the world around them in a safe and responsible way.
Modern Foreign Language — Français
French has a structural place within the multilingual NIS curriculum. Students develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing and learn to use the language with growing independence in meaningful situations. Alongside language proficiency, there is attention for communication and cultural understanding.
Language development
Strong language skills as a foundation for learning
Language development runs like a thread through Cambridge Primary. NIS therefore pays focused attention to reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary.
Within English language teaching, NIS uses complementary Cambridge resources, including Cambridge Grammar & Writing Skills and Cambridge Phonics & Handwriting.
These materials are not separate curriculum subjects, but give students targeted support in further developing their English reading, writing and language skills.
Enquiry-based learning
Turning curiosity into knowledge
Enquiry-based learning is an important part of the NIS approach to education. Students are encouraged not only to remember answers, but to understand why something is the way it is and how they can arrive at new insights themselves. This way of learning recurs across different curriculum areas. Students learn to formulate questions, gather information, explore different possibilities, draw conclusions and reflect on their own learning process.
- Ask questions
- Investigate
- Discover
- Apply
- Reflect
Multilingual education
English as the language of instruction, French and Arabic in the programme
Multilingualism is an important part of the educational identity of NIS.
English is the language of instruction and communication, and the Cambridge curriculum is taught in English. French is offered as a separate language subject and Arabic is part of the Moroccan component of the curriculum. In this way, students develop their language skills step by step within the programme.
NIS takes differences in language background and level into account. Personal guidance helps students grow further from their own starting point.
Personal attention
Challenge where possible, support where needed
No two students learn and develop in exactly the same way. That is why NIS combines high expectations with personal guidance and differentiation.
Teachers get to know students well and follow their development carefully. Where extra support is needed, guidance is provided. Students who are ready for more challenge are given room to develop further.
With a maximum of 20 students per class from the start, NIS creates room for personal attention, targeted feedback and a strong relationship between student and teacher.
Development & progress
Making learning visible
Within Cambridge Primary, assessment is part of the learning process.
Teachers use observations, assignments, conversations and student work, among other things, to gain insight into what students know, understand and can do.
This information is used to give appropriate feedback, tailor support and challenge, and determine the next learning steps. In this way, assessment is not only about results, but above all about further development.
Moroccan language & culture
Connected to Morocco, open to the world
NIS is an international school in Nador and believes it is important that students get to know and understand the language, history, culture and society of their surroundings.
The Arabic language and Moroccan history and culture therefore have a recognisable place within the curriculum. In addition, appropriate to the stage and to students’ backgrounds and needs, attention may be given to Islam Studies.
NIS approaches these elements from an open and respectful learning environment, with room for the different languages, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs within the school community.
In this way, students learn to better understand and appreciate the context in which they grow up, while also learning to look at other perspectives, cultures and the world around them with curiosity and an open mind.
Ready for Cambridge Lower Secondary
Cambridge Primary lays a broad foundation on which students can build in the next stage. By the end of Primary, students have developed their knowledge and skills across different subject areas. They have learned to investigate, reason, communicate and collaborate more independently and to take responsibility for their learning. Cambridge Lower Secondary builds on this and offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, skills and independence further.