English is the primary language of instruction throughout the school, although mathematics is taught in both languages and Italian language sessions are timetabled from Year 1 of the Elementary section.

New students, who need to learn English, are withdrawn from the class for a programme of focussed support lessons, and during Italian lessons, new international students join a small group to study a course in basic Italian. Our aim is that students should be fully integrated into normal lessons as soon as possible but a family commitment to home study is essential to re-enforce the instruction received at school.

The programme implemented at primary school level is structured as follows:

English language and literature: for this part of the programme the National Literacy Strategy (UK curriculum) provides our framework but in addition to this we create meaningful links with other curriculum areas.

Italian language: is structured according to the Italian Ministerial Programme.

Mathematics: The Italian Ministerial Programme provides the basis of our scheme which has been reviewed by International and Italian teachers to ensure that we are delivering a co-ordinated syllabus in both languages.

Other subject areas are integrated into six main topics each year according to the principles of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). This programme has been carefully planned by International and Italian teachers in order to blend the essential elements of the Italian State Curriculum with the principals of an international curriculum.