Years 3 - 6

The Junior department (Years 3 to 6) follows the English 2014 National Curriculum, adapted to suit the needs of our community. Children develop understanding and knowledge in a safe, secure and happy environment, so that by the time students leave us at the end of Year 6 they are independent learners who have a lifelong love of learning.

Internationally qualified and experienced educators teach the children English, mathematics, science, history, geography and art. Subject specialists teach other subjects.

Account is taken of our ‘host’ country and every pupil receives Arabic lessons. Special provision is made for pupils whose first language is not Arabic. Similarly, most pupils receive instruction in the Quran and Islamic studies. For those Muslims for whom Arabic is not a first language, again, special provision is made. For students who are not of the Muslim faith, a separate programme is available during those particular lessons. In Year 5 and 6 children follow a programme of Kuwait Social Studies which gives children a wealth of knowledge about Kuwait and its near neighbours.

The department teaches the academic but also fosters personal and social traits in all children. Everyone is expected to know and to follow the ‘I am an NES Student’ code. It is at the heart of everything we do.

I am an NES Student

I am…

Respectful

I respect myself, others and the environment at all times.

Honest and Trustworthy

I tell the truth.  People know that they can trust me.

Positive

I look for the best in every situation.

 

A Global Citizen

I am part of a community of people from all over the world. 

 I am tolerant and respect ideas that differ from my own.

Responsible

I am in charge of my actions. I accept consequences.

 I take an independent approach to learning and living.

A Team Player

I do my best to co-operate with other people. I play fair. I know how to win and lose well.

Kind

 I care about people. I am compassionate and show empathy towards others.

Health Conscious 

I actively make healthy choices in the way I live my life. 

A Thinker

I ask questions.  I wonder why. I reflect on my actions. I show initiative. 

Resilient

I know that not everything goes my way.

 I understand that if I persevere, I can turn a setback into a success.

A Risk Taker

I love a challenge. I am not afraid to try something new. 

Primary Admissions Policy

We maintain flexibility and breadth of provision, to enable us to receive pupils at any stage of their career and provide them with the highest possible standards of education. Children of all nationalities and religions are considered for acceptance. Children are assessed to evaluate their suitability for the provision at NES.

Process for acceptance

Parents are required to complete the appropriate application form and provide documents as stipulated by the Ministry of Education. Due to the high demand for places applications will be given priority from the following:

- Children with a brother or sister at NES

- Children of ex-NES parents

- Children of families new to Kuwait

- Children from within Kuwait with an excellent report from their present school. (not applicable for KG)

It should be noted that none of the above guarantees admission into the school. All children are assessed and interviewed before acceptance.

For more information, please refer to our Primary admission policy.

We are unable to accommodate children with specific learning or behavioural difficulties.

 

Chromebooks are issued to all students from Years 3 to 6. Chromebooks  are used in a wide variety of ways to enhance learning both at school and at home. All students have a gmail account and use their google drives to share work with their classmates and teachers.

In addition to chromebooks, all classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. All children in the Junior department attend an hour long Computer Science lesson each week where they develop skills such as programming and publishing as well as learning about Internet safety. Children receive their gmail accounts and are taught how to use these effectively and safely..

Parents are kept continually informed about activities within the Junior Department.This includes providing information about the school curriculum and the individual development of each student.

• A newsletter each fortnight is produced by each Year Group for the Parent Portal, showing details of events and activities that have taken place in each class.

• Curriculum Information for each year group is produced every two months and is available on the Parent Portal, to enable parents to support learning at home

• Parents are invited to attend an Introductory Evening at the beginning of the year.

• Parents are encouraged to communicate via email with their child's individual teacher when necessary. All staff, including the Head Teacher and the Deputy Head Teacher are available via email. Communication via email ensures close ties between school and home and a prompt reply!

• Formal individual parent/teacher conferences are held twice a year.

• Written reports are sent home twice a year pupils.

• Each family has a personal Parent Portal account, giving parents access to a wealth of information, including the latest curriculum information, details of upcoming events and activities to support learning. Parents are encouraged to check this daily as it is the primary form of communication.

The school experience does not finish with lessons at the end of the day. There is a wide variety of co curricular activities available to all pupils in years 3-6, ranging from sports clubs, through to music, art and varied activities.

The clubs run for 8 weeks each term. Children sign up for clubs at the beginning of each term.

Covid 19 has created a situation where clubs are suspended due to Health and Safety Reasons.

Throughout the year the students take part in various events which may include 

• Health Week

• Celebrations relating to Kuwait National Day or International themes

• Special themed days e.g. Japanese Day, Roman Day

• Class Assemblies/Concerts

• Sports Day

• Book Week, Maths and Science Week

• Visiting Book Fairs

• Educational visits

• Spoken Word Poetry Competitions

• Fundraising events for WaterAid

Where it links to their studies children are taken on visits to places of educational interest in Kuwait. There are also ‘fun’ visits too, for example to Kidzania.

 

Music is an innate artistic expression which all students have , no matter how great or small. Our vision is that students should have access to a balanced, comprehensive, and sequential music program taught by qualified teachers using quality literature, materials and technology. Within this, it is our desire that all children at NES would learn to find the joy in music, and see how it connects with the world around them. It is an international language.

The weekly allocation for the delivery of music is  60 minutes depending on the year group. . There is also the option for specialist instrumental lessons on a variety of woodwind and string instruments. These lessons happen weekly on a more focused level for those who choose to participate.

Included in the KS2 music program is a range of extracurricular activities, including an annual  Production and music concerts.

 

At NES we promote healthy lifestyles of which exercise forms a key component. All students attend a weekly Physical Education lesson and have the opportunity to take part in ‘after school’ and Saturday clubs.

The programme emphasises individual fitness, strength and flexibility whilst encouraging teamwork and leadership skills. Most lessons focus on building children’s skills and confidence in team sports or athletics. Children also learn how to exercise at home in order to remain fit and healthy.

Children come to school wearing their approved sports clothing on the day of their lesson.

Currently we are unable to offer swimming lessons BUT the school does have swimming teams which compete regularly against other schools.

 

lThe school starts officially at 08.00. They are registered on entry and go to classes directly.

If a child is frequently ‘late’ parents will be notified by letter.

Classes are organised on a ‘mixed ability’ basis. The lettering  is for convenience and has no meaning.

There are two break times each day and both last for twenty minutes. During the first break children are encouraged to eat and drink whilst seated.

The school day ends and parents are invited to collect their child from the playground. Should you be delayed you must inform the office. Children who are not collected promptly are cared for near to the gate.

After school clubs run for 8 weeks each term. They begin at 14.40 and end at 15.30. Parents should collect their child promptly at 15.30, please. Children whose parents do not collect them promptly may be excluded from the club.

Music and theatre clubs may end slightly later. Please contact the teacher for further information.

During the holy month of Ramadan the school day is shortened as it is in everyone’s work place. Details of timings are circulated to parents, usually via the Parent Portal, at the relevant time of year.

 

 The Junior Department organises the day in specific time allocated subject areas. During Ramadan a shorter day timetable is in operation.

Each class has its own timetable, which is available to parents via the Parent Portal.

Homework is an important exercise in consolidating learning. It takes many forms and is set according to a schedule. This is so that children do not have excessive amounts of homework each night. Any class tasks which are not completed during lesson time may also be given as additional homework. At NES we believe that it is also an opportunity for parents to work with their children and see what has been taught at school.

Homework is communicated by:

Google classroom [or similar] - as we move further into our use of technology teachers will often give homework to children via the Google classroom [or a similar site].

Children, via their Chromebooks, have the opportunity to access additional support materials such as:

• Studyladder - a site for practising most subjects

• Bug Club - an on-line reading programme

• Atom - an online site which develops individual skills in literacy, numeracy, non verbal reasoning and verbal reasoning.

• Oxford Owls - a reading  resource site

• Literacy Planet - a site to develop phonics comprehension and grammar skills.

• Epic - a reading resource site