Primary School

Uncovering Potential – Early Years 3 to Grade 5

The Primary School at the FIS includes Early Years (EY3-EY5) and Grades 1-5, providing children aged 3 to 11 with a continuous learning journey. Throughout the Primary School, students follow the IB Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), where curiosity, inquiry and meaningful learning help every child develop academically, socially and emotionally.

Early Years (EY3-5)

In Early Years, students learn through purposeful play, exploration and inquiry. Carefully designed learning experiences encourage students to ask questions, investigate ideas and deepen their thinking while developing confidence, independence and a genuine love of learning. Along the way, they build strong foundations in early literacy and numeracy within a caring and supportive environment.

Grades 1-5

As students move into Grades 1-5, they continue to build on these foundations through increasingly challenging learning experiences. Inquiry remains at the heart of learning as students develop subject knowledge, critical thinking, collaboration and independence while making meaningful connections across disciplines.

Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) is the curriculum framework for all students from Early Years (EY3) to Grade 5 at the FIS. It provides the structure for what students learn, how they learn and how their progress is supported. Through transdisciplinary learning, students make meaningful connections across their learning while developing the knowledge, skills and learner profile attributes that encourage inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration and responsible action.

Units of Inquiry

Students in the Primary School typically inquire into six transdisciplinary units of inquiry (UOI). These are carefully mapped horizontally within each grade level and vertically from Early Years 3 to Grade 5, ensuring a coherent and progressive learning journey under the six transdisciplinary themes:

  • Who we are.
  • Where we are in place and time.
  • How we express ourselves.
  • How the world works.
  • How we organize ourselves.
  • Sharing the planet.

These transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry encourage students to explore important concepts and real-world issues while making meaningful connections across their learning. Alongside the Units of Inquiry, students continue to develop strong knowledge and skills in areas such as literacy, mathematics, science, the arts and physical education.

Each Unit of Inquiry begins with students’ questions and curiosity. Guided by their teachers, students investigate, collaborate, reflect and take action as they deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Learner Profile Attributes

The learner profile attributes serve as guiding principles that nurture the holistic development of young learners. They are:

  • Inquirers
  • Knowledgeable
  • Thinkers
  • Communicators
  • Principled
  • Open-minded
  • Caring
  • Risk-takers
  • Balanced
  • Reflective

These attributes encompass a range of qualities, fostering not only academic excellence but also the growth of well-rounded individuals. As inquirers, students display a natural curiosity and a desire to learn, actively engaging with the world around them. They become knowledgeable by exploring various subjects and ideas. Open-mindedness encourages respect for diverse perspectives, cultivating an environment of acceptance and understanding. Caring emphasizes empathy and kindness, promoting positive relationships among peers. Students learn to be risk-takers, embracing challenges and developing resilience in the face of difficulties. Thinkers develop critical thinking skills, while communicators express themselves effectively. Principles of balance teach students to manage their responsibilities and well-being, and being reflective encourages self-assessment and personal growth. In this way, primary school students imbued with the IB learner profile attributes are prepared to become lifelong learners who contribute positively to their communities.

English Language Arts (ELA)

We aim to develop confident students through an exciting and engaging language arts program. We empower our students with the skills to read, write, speak and listen both critically, strategically, and creatively. Thus, we equip them with the tools to become lifelong, independent learners. Students are taught meaningful language activities through a variety of media integrated wherever possible to our PYP units of inquiry.

Reading at the FIS

Each student at the FIS has the opportunity to read a diverse range of engaging books. We do this through classroom read-alouds, library lessons, guided reading times, phonics groups, and providing environments where reading is fostered. Students can enjoy a book from one of our well-sourced libraries, take home a Big Cat Collins Home Reader or choose from the Big Cat Collins eBook collection.

Little Wandle Phonics Program

Starting in EY4, students start to explore letters and sounds through the Little Wandle program. Every 6 weeks, students are assessed to see what sounds they know and what sounds they need to continue to learn. You can learn more about how to support your child with phonics here.

Big Cat Collins Reading Program

Starting in EY3 up into Grade 5 students can enjoy a wide variety of text from Big Cat Collins during the school day and while at home. We highly recommend parents listen to their child read daily and ask comprehension questions, which they can find in the back of the Big Cat Collins books or here. It is also okay for students to read with a sibling or pet!

Big Cat Collins Home Readers and eBooks

Each child at the FIS has a Big Cat Home Reader’s pouch to take one book home each day. The FIS doors open at 8:20 for students who would like to exchange their Big Cat Home Reader for a new book. Students can also choose from a wide range of books from the Big Cat Collins eBook collection. Login information for the eBook collection is provided by homeroom teachers.

Mathematics Curriculum

We aim to develop confident mathematicians who are passionate about their learning. We strive to teach for an understanding of mathematical concepts, the “why” something works, and not only the “how”. Therefore allowing the students to transfer and apply their knowledge to new situations. This is ensured by providing ‘real life’ scenarios for students thus developing mathematical reasoning, inquiry and problem-solving. We encourage the use of multiple strategies to solve mathematical problems and include hands-on activities. The use of manipulatives, visuals and games are all used to support the consolidation of understanding.

Communication Guidelines

The Franconian International School encourages communication that fosters close cooperation between parents, teachers, and students. There is a scheduled conference time in semester one, and semester two. These are an opportunity for teachers, parents and students to sit together and celebrate the learning so far and discuss goals ahead.

You can always communicate specific questions about your child’s progress directly to the teacher, be it the homeroom teacher or subject specialist, in person or via email following the Home School Partnership and Conflict Resolution Procedure.

  • FIS Handbook
  • The 2026/2027 Handbook will be published soon

Supply lists and stationery packs for school year 2026/2027