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Primary School *(6-10 years)*
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Primary School (6-10 years)

The GIS Primary School at GESS is where the foundations of learning are laid. Our curriculum is designed for primary school children aged 6 to 11 (Grades 1 to 5).

26

students per class

8:00 - 15:00

Full School Day

8:00 - 12:40

Short School Day

13:25 - 15:00

Extended afternoon programme

Lunch

Freshly cooked food and snacks served in the canteen

School bus service

Supervised door-to-door bus service and shuttle bus available

Swimming programme

Dedicated weekly swimming lesson integrated into the timetable

Technology

1:1 iPad Programme and Technology Education

Two students playing Football

German curriculum in an international environment

As one of the first “Excellent German Schools Abroad”, we offer our primary school children a unique, international environment with more than 65 nationalities.

Every new child is assigned a buddy from their own class who helps them make new friends quickly, find their way around the campus and settle well into everyday school life.

In a constantly changing world, our primary school places particular emphasis on topics such as student wellbeing, social learning, child protection, health education, learning methods, cooperative and self-directed learning, and the integration of digital media. This goes hand in hand with individual academic progress and with making learning objectives and success criteria visible, within an open feedback culture and a positive approach to mistakes.

Caring and supportive Buddy System

Each new child is assigned a student buddy to help them make new friends, adapt to a new school routine and navigate the campus.

Students standing in front of robotic fan
GESS brings many nations together under the same roof. It is a modern school that is open to new methods and approaches, successfully integrating technological means in daily studies. Both of my children have also become more independent and confident. They are motivated to learn English. One of the special highlights for them is the wind instrument class, which has taught my daughter the importance of teamwork.

Family Wolf, Mother of 2 German Curriculum Students

German curriculum Primary information 

In 2018, the primary curriculum was adapted to the needs of GESS, based on the 2016 competency-based Baden-Württemberg education plan. It was complemented by focus areas such as language development, cooperative learning, trans-disciplinary skills, 21st Century Skills, sustainable development, Global Citizenship and child protection (Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum).

The following subjects are taught as part of the curriculum:

  • German
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • General Studies / Science
  • Art
  • Music
  • Religion/Ethics
  • PE and Swimming
     

From Grade 2 onwards, additional lessons are scheduled for self-directed learning (EVA) in the time-table.

Our pedagogy develops the following 21st century competencies:

  • Critical thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Creativity
  • Communication
     

To help our students achieve their learning objectives as effectively as possible, we set different priorities in our education and develop suitable pedagogical concepts, which are evaluated regularly.

Pedagogical and didactic foundations of teaching in the primary school:

  • Competency-based teaching
  • Feedback and reflection
  • Self-directed learning (EVA)
  • Mentoring & coaching for students in Grades 4 and 5 (45 min per week and class)
  • Cooperative learning
  • Systematic development of methodological competence
  • “Visible Learning”: making learning objectives and success criteria visible in lessons
  • Promoting the German language
  • Purposeful use of digital media in lessons
  • Safe and responsible use of digital media and devices
     

All children in Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 receive two additional German support lessons (Deutsch+). All children in Grade 5 receive one lesson of Deutsch+.

Grade 1 children enrolled in the Extended Afternoon Programme (ENP) receive 2 lessons of DeutschExtra+ (general language development).

Grade 2 children enrolled in the Extended Afternoon Programme (ENP) receive 1 lesson of DeutschExtra+ (general language development).

In Mathematics, Grades 1 to 4 work in a self-directed way as part of their individual learning process, supported by teachers and classmates, using differentiated learning packages (Mathe-Häuser, “maths houses”) with different learning channels.

English as second language
The language of instruction is German. English is taught as a second language by specialist language teachers in Primary school. There are four lessons a week of English in three different English levels:

  • Foreign Language (EFL)
  • English Intermediate Level (EIL)
  • English Near Native (ENN)

Mother tongue programme
As the home to over 65 nationalities, GESS offers a range of mother tongue languages that can be chosen as an optional afternoon language class in Primary School.

 

The languages are practised in a weekly 90-minute language enrichment programme (LEP) after school through fun and interactive language-focused activities.

At GESS, our students grow and develop through our extensive co-curricular programmes after school. We believe in giving our students the opportunities to discover their passions and interests both in and outside the classroom. Our students can choose from over 100 after-school programmes and activities taught by professionals including:

  • Build confidence and teamwork with over 20 sports programmes and competitive teams
  • Spark creativity through integrated and after-school arts and music programmes
  • Solve problems and build solutions to tomorrow's challenges in our STEM programme

GESS is a non-selective German school and welcomes students with a diverse range of talents and abilities.

  • Year-round enrolment (students can start on any Friday)
  • For Grade 1, your child must be six years old by 31 July
  • Students should have near-native or native-level German, as instruction is in German
  • In exceptional cases, placement tests may be required to determine the appropriate grade or level
  • Reference letter from the previous school
  • School reports

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