Parent's perspective on British primary education

The British primary education plays this foundational role. It gives great satisfaction to a parent to watch children thrive in the British system. This article draws on personal observations, focusing on teaching content, support to families, assessments and teacher training.

- By Dr. Amara Satharasinghe

The system adopts a broad and balanced curriculum. The teaching focuses on giving pupils literacy and numeracy, knowledge and skills. The teaching approaches stimulate creativity, social development, curiosity and confidence through play-based learning. A supportive and inclusive environment helps pupils feel valued. An adventurous learning model lays a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

A broad curriculum delivers this adventurous learning. British primary curricula strike a balance between core academics and creative and practical learning. English, Mathematics, and Science form the core. Many schools teach Computing and Languages early. History, Geography, Art, Music, Design and technology, and Physical education receive emphasis. Within this broad range of offerings, subjects that combine creativity and practical skills play a special role in developing problem-solving skills and resilience. The broad curriculum and varied teaching approaches aim at the personal, emotional and social development of the child. They prevent learning from being solely exam-driven and expose children to experiences that nurture their curiosity, creativity, learning skills and confidence.

Hands-on learning: The role of design and technology