The Bilingual Primary School

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to our wonderful school!

The Bilingual Primary School is a growing school with over 550 children on roll from Reception to Y6. By September 2022 we will be at full capacity, with 3 forms of entry in each year group. We are exceptionally lucky to be housed in a new, purpose built school right on the edge of Hove Park with easy access to everything Brighton & Hove has to offer.

We believe children learn best when they feel safe, cared for and listened to. There is a palpable sense of care throughout the school and you can be confident that your child will be known, supported and celebrated as an individual. Positive partnerships with parents and carers are hugely important and staff will work closely with you to help your child make the most of their primary school years. 

Our aim is for children to be motivated and excited about learning and, after a holiday, to be happy to be back at school. We want to inspire them to have high aspirations for their future, to be successful learners and confident individuals. We want them to take responsibility for their own behavior and to work with us to challenge themselves to achieve the highest standards. From the very earliest days in school we help children to realize that good learning is often not easy and to grow in their ability to persevere and to work together. 

Hearing, speaking and learning Spanish and equipping our children to become global citizens are central to our school. The governors and staff are totally committed to the ongoing development of our bilingual vision, and Spanish and English are used interchangeably throughout the school. Our teaching assistants are native or fluent Spanish speakers, as are many of our teaching staff, and organisational and social language happens in Spanish. Children have Spanish literacy lessons twice a week and make fantastic progress. All Year 6 children achieve a CFER (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) grade before they move to secondary school.

The majority of our children have English as their first language and are here because their parents and carers want them to have the opportunities that being confident in a second language brings.  Seeing these children emerging as Spanish speakers is what makes our school a unique and special place. Approximately a fifth our children come from bilingual families, a third of whom have Spanish spoken in the home, and all of their parents and carers are committed to continuing to support their language development.  

The school follows the National Curriculum and, as a newer school, we are in the enviable position of being able to build a curriculum that meets our needs and our context rather than being constrained by what we have always done. Our curriculum ensures all children have access to a broad, balanced curriculum and a wide range of teaching and learning techniques. It recognises the global nature of the school and has collaboration, perseverance, curiosity and autonomy as its drivers. Our Spanish curriculum also links directly to this curriculum.

As you walk around the school there is a real ‘buzz’ about learning and lots of talk and activity. Teachers are happy to welcome you, and the children are excited to show you their work. We are all very proud of our school.

Jo Staveley 

Head of School