Isamilo School follows the British Curriculum, modified to take account of the particular local and international needs of the children.
The Junior Department is the equivalent of Key Stage Two in the British system or Years Three to Six (ages 7 to 11).
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At the end of Year Six the children take the UK SATs (Standardised Assessment Tests). These papers are sent from the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency and are used with other assessments throughout the school to measure progress of individual children and the school.
The school gives a high priority to English, as this is the key to the whole curriculum. Children are encouraged to speak English in school and are given plenty of opportunity to speak in learning situations. Children take a book home every day to read with their parents from our reading scheme or from our very well stocked library. We aim to foster a love of books. We have found that those who read a lot invariably do well in later stages of their education.
The majority of the children at Isamilo International School have English as an additional language and many do not speak English at home. We have specialist members of staff who help any children who find it difficult to access the curriculum due to language or any learning difficulties. Our aim is to allow every child to reach their full potential regardless of their background.
Isamilo follows the Literacy and Numeracy Frameworks which are used in UK schools and bases the rest of the curriculum around UK guidelines (see Subject Details below). The children in the Junior Department are usually taught by their class teacher; however, specialist teachers take the class when appropriate. Skills are taught in a structured manner but children have the opportunity to apply those skills in practical activities to give a solid base for understanding.
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Literacy teaching at Isamilo International School follows the framework used in UK schools, adapted where necessary to cater for pupils in an international environment, many of whom have English as an additional language. Teaching incorporates shared and guided reading and writing, role play and spelling and phonic strategies.
We use the Oxford Reading Tree scheme of books. The children work their way through the stages, reading the books with their class teacher and at home. These books are carefully designed to help the children develop confidence in their reading as well as increasing their vocabulary.
Numeracy skills are needed in most subjects and in all areas of life. The school follows the Mathematics Framework that has been widely adopted in the UK, ensuring that all elements of number, shape, space and measure are taught. A strong emphasis is placed on practical work and real life situations in order to help the children gain a fuller understanding of the mechanics of the subject.
The use of information and communication technology (ICT) is an essential skill for life and enables learners to participate in a rapidly changing world. The children learn about how to use different applications. As well as having access to two IT suites with software such as Textease, developed for young learners, all the classes in the Junior Department have a computer in the classroom allowing the children to use ICT in a variety of subjects, thus enhancing their learning and understanding.
Science allows children to describe and understand the nature of the universe and their everyday world. The Science curriculum at Isamilo follows the QCA guidelines. Much emphasis is placed on practical investigative work. To raise the profile of Science within the school and build links with home, there are half-termly Science competitions in which contestants design and test their ideas.
Geography fires young people's curiosity about the world around them and their place within it. The Geography curriculum at Isamilo follows the QCA guidelines, but has been adapted to make it more relevant to pupils learning in Africa, for example in Year 3 the pupils compare Sukuma and Masaai tribes. We aim to make learning a fun and investigative experience. We include as much skills-based work and as many field trips as possible.
In History, pupils consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions. History at Isamilo is based on the QCA guidelines but has been largely adapted in order to be more appropriate for the pupils of an international school in Tanzania, for example topics include East Africa over the last 150 years and Tanzania’s part in the Slave Trade. We place great emphasis on enquiry skills and as we aim to make our pupils ‘history detectives’.
Understanding of each others beliefs and faiths is vital if we are to live happily in an integrated society. The RE taught at Isamilo is based on QCA guidelines and the children are taught about many different religions and how they are similar and different to each other.
Music is a powerful form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. The children sing songs and play instruments, they improvise and develop their own musical compositions developing independence and creativity. They explore their thoughts and feelings through responding physically, intellectually and emotionally to a variety of music from different times and cultures.
Pupils at Isamilo receive Kiswahili lessons from specialist teachers throughout the Junior Department and French is taught in Years Five and Six. The learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for all pupils. They develop linguistic competence, extend their knowledge of how language works and explore differences and similarities between languages.
Design and Technology prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. The children design and make working models using a variety of materials. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life. The subject has a skills focus and, by developing, planning and communicating ideas, pupils learn to think logically.
Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination and has the power to enrich lives. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. The children use colour, form, texture, pattern and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life and in different times and cultures.
At Isamilo we deliver a varied and lively physical education programme. Children are taught skills for different sports each half term. These include invasion games, net and wall games, striking and field games and athletics, dance and gymnastics. We believe that the pupils should take an active role in keeping themselves fit and healthy. The children have regular house competitions to demonstrate what they have learnt. We also offer a wide variety of extra curricular sports clubs which reinforce and develop the skills learnt in lessons.
At Isamilo we are privileged to have a wonderful swimming pool and all pupils get the opportunity to improve their confidence, skills and strokes with weekly swimming lessons. We follow the ASA awards scheme and over a period of time pupils are assessed and progress through the levels. Each child is encouraged to participate and classes are supported by qualified lifeguard/coaches. We also have a swimming gala, where pupils can enter a variety of competitive and fun races to show how their skills have developed.