Primary

5-11 YEARS OLD

Our Primary curriculum continues to inspire our children and equips them with the skills and attitudes to pursue learning at a higher level. We aim to instil a love of learning for its own sake. In order to do this we have carefully chosen aspects of various international curricula that best suit our school community. 

In addition to the core subjects that are usually taught in the mornings, children have classes in yoga, sport, art and crafts, drama, music, dance, cooking and gardening, to name a few, which take place during our afternoon sessions. These vary throughout the year and we ensure that every class has a wide range of experiences. The afternoons are also a chance for children to work with children of different ages and they are usually not taught by their class teacher.

As part of the curriculum, classes will often explore the area around the school and go on trips to various locations around Goa. We strive to make the best use of our stunning local environment and the unique cultural heritage of Goa. From Year 3 (ages 7/8) onward, children will also go on an annual overnight trip.

Our English Curriculum is based on the Cambridge Primary framework. In order to prepare our students for higher level study and to prepare them to sit IGCSEs at the end of Key Stage 4, we teach to the standards set out by this framework. To ensure that we best serve our pupils who join us from a variety of school systems from around the world and to honor their cultural heritages, we supplement the Cambridge Primary curriculum with a range of resources from around the world. This way we maintain an engaging, appropriate and flexible English curriculum tailored to our students’ needs.

The Maths teaching at River House Academy is rooted in the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. The focus of our primary Maths teaching is to develop number sense in our students. This might look very different from what you encountered at school. Students are encouraged to develop a range of strategies to solve problems, using different visual models. Teaching towards number sense enables students to make connections to real world contexts and apply their understanding to a wide range of problems. They become problem solvers rather than calculators.

The Humanities teaching at River House is concept based and takes its structure from the IB Primary Years Programme, and the Cambridge Global Perspectives curriculum. Students’ interests are at the centre of this approach. Throughout the year, classes choose how to investigate a range of concepts through different contexts. The focus on conceptual learning rather than the accumulation of facts fosters life long learners that are able to transfer their understanding to different contexts.

For every concept, the students will go through the inquiry cycle guided by their teacher.

The Science curriculum is based on the Cambridge Primary framework and standards. However, we put a strong emphasis on hands-on inquiry based learning. Through this approach we make sure to develop a wide range of skills. Students work towards understanding the concepts that underpin scientific knowledge and how to apply these to novel situations. We supplement the Cambridge Primary framework with resources from the Nuffield Foundation and other STEM focused curricula.

The inquiry cycle below shows what the different stages of inquiry learning entail.

Every morning starts with a short Class Time which is used to establish social bonds and create a positive class culture. There is strong emphasis on acquiring social and emotional competencies throughout the school and a PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) curriculum is interwoven with all subject areas. We also have Sex and Relationship lessons starting in the Pre-School. These are age appropriate lessons that enable children to make good choices about the bodies and relationships.

  • Food and nutrition
  • Gardening
  • Physical Education
  • Humanities
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Dance
  • Creative arts and crafts
  • Technology
  • Media Studies
  • Personal Social Health and Careers Education

House No. 342, 25, Chapolim Shristha, Delem Village, Canacona, Goa 403702

contact: +919579322699 | info@riverhouseacademy.com

© Copyright 2017-20 River House Academy. All Rights Reserved

Covid-19

We are committed to reopening River House as soon as we are able to, with the necessary precautions in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. River House Governors have decided a potential start date of November 2nd, 2020 and we are currently all working towards this.

General Terms & Conditions

RIVER HOUSE ACADEMY TERMS & CONDITIONS 2020-21

These terms & conditions form a legally binding agreement made between you and River House Academy

Deposit
You are required to pay a non-refundable one month fee as a deposit to hold your child’s place once your application has been accepted. This amount will be deducted from your final month’s payment. This payment can be made via Transferwise or into our River House Academy bank account.

Admission fee
For the first year, there will be an admission fee charged as a one time non-refundable payment of Rs.5000 per child, made at the time of enrolment.

Administration Fee
From year two onwards, there will be an annual administration fee of Rs. 2500 per child made at the time of enrolment.

Enrolment
The day your child starts school, you will be required to fill out an enrolment form and sign our terms & conditions form. Please also bring two passport photos and a copy of your child’s passport and current visa.

Fees
Fee payment date

Please pay your first month’s fees on or before the day your child starts school. You are required to pay your fees at the start of each month. You will be invoiced on the 25th of each month and payment is due by the last day of the month for the next month. In addition, you are required to pay the last month’s fee’s at enrolment. 

Fee payments
If your child starts mid-month your fees are due to be paid at enrolment, for the remaining period of that month. If your child starts mid-week, you will be charged for the full week. Children who leave mid-month will be charged for the entire month.

Late fees
Any late fees will be subject to late payment charges of Rs.100 per day.

Yearly payment
If you pay the fees for your child’s full stay in advance you will receive a 5% discount.

Sibling discount
A discount of 10 % will be given for your 2nd and 3rd child.

Personal holidays and absence
There are no fee discounts available for holidays or absences (including illness) from the school. Where possible please try to avoid taking holidays during the school term. Before booking your trip, it is essential that you check with the school to avoid missing important dates.

Notice of leaving
When you enrol your child at the academy you are required to give your attendance dates. Should your departure date be brought forward, you will be expected to pay according to your original dates given at enrolment.

Illness
Do not bring your child into school if they are ill, or are showing signs of being ill. If your child becomes ill at school, a Parent/Guardian will be contacted and asked to collect your child. Please text, email or telephone in the morning to let the Headteacher know if your child will be absent from school due to illness and what the illness is if it could potentially affect others. All medication must be brought in by a Parent/Guardian with clear instructions as to how and when it should be administered. Please do not allow your child to come to school with medication in their bag. Please check your child regularly for head lice. If we discover your child has head lice, they will be sent home from school and not allowed to return until the head lice have been treated.

Valuable items (including all electronic devices)
Valuable items, including all electronic devices, are not allowed to be brought into school. Children in the Secondary class may bring in a mobile phone but it should be kept in their bag at all times. We do not accept any responsibility for any items that are brought in.

School opening times
School lessons start at 9am. Please ensure your children arrive at school between 8.45 am-8.55am so that lessons can start promptly. If you are going to be late, please let us know. There will be no adult supervision before 8.45am. Please be aware that staff are busy at this time preparing for the day. Should you wish to speak to a member of staff please do so at 3pm or by prior appointment.

Collection from school
Children need to be collected from the school building. Please let us know If someone else will be collecting your child from school.

Unexpected school closure Occasionally the school may be forced to close due to unforeseen circumstances in the interest of health and safety. In such cases, you will be informed by text as early as possible.

Admissions