Our Key Stage One journey begins in Nursery, welcoming children aged 3 years 6 months and finishing aged 5 years 6 months into a caring and creative environment.

Who we are

Struben House opened its doors to Early Years and Key Stage 1 in 2016.

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*We accept applications throughout the year.

The Differences between the SA and CAMBRIDGE curriculum

At our Cambridge Primary School (Struben House), I am often asked about the difference between the South African CAPS curriculum and the Cambridge curriculum. It may seem a fairly simple question but the answer is far more nuanced. The reason for this is that the guiding principles that underpin both curriculums are relatively consistent in terms of wanting to develop learners who can: ‘identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking; work effectively as individuals and with others as members of a team; collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.’ (CAPS National Curriculum Statement). Both school curriculums aim to ‘promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.’ The main differences lie in how this is executed and delivered within each context.

– Ms. Adi Daniel, Head of Key Stage One, International School of Cape Town

Early Years

Early years comprise of our Nursery and Reception classes.

These years are all about balance. Our children begin to learn by becoming independent and doing things for themselves. By exploring, investigating, watching and listening, talking and discussing, creating and communicating. They will be challenged to ‘think out of the box’ and to solve problems for themselves.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. The focus is on 3 prime learning areas and 4 specific learning areas.

Curriculum Framework

Communication, Language and Literacy
Mathematics
Creative Expression (art and design, music, dance and drama)
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Physical Development
Understanding the World

We have specialist teachers who take the children for drama and music and we run a comprehensive gross motor program.

In addition, our teachers reflect on the different ways that the children are engaging with their learning:

Playing and exploring
Active learning
Creating and thinking critically

Each child has an online learning journal and the parents travel on this journey with us. Parents sees all the weekly observations that the teacher makes about their child’s progress.

ISCT Cambridge Primary School

A program to stretch, challenge and inspire your child. Designed to engage students in their own learning, supported by resources and textbooks. All Cambridge Primary School subjects include a set of learning objectives that provide a structure for teaching and learning. We have specific references to monitor your child’s attainment and skills. All subjects ensure a smooth progression throughout Cambridge Primary School onwards into Cambridge Lower Secondary and beyond.

Nursery

Nursery is open to children who are between the ages of 3 years 6 months and 4 years 6 months (in January in the year of admission). Here, we focus on the foundational skills necessary for students to progress to Reception, as well as the importance of play and friendship.

Reception

Reception is open to children between the ages of 4 years 6 months and 5 years 6 months. This is where we introduce more formal literacy and numeracy skills. At the end of Reception, students will be reading and writing!

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KEY STAGE 1

Early years comprise of our Nursery and Reception classes.

We follow the Cambridge Early Years aims to lay the foundations of lifelong learning. The children are encouraged to show curiosity about the world around them and to apply their knowledge and understanding across curriculum areas. They are encouraged to be effective and confident communicators who have an understanding of their personal and local context. The 5 attributes of a Cambridge Early Years learner, are: confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged.

We also nurture emotional intelligence through our Marvelous Me program, which promotes Kindness, Gratitude, and Respect as core values.

Other areas of study:

Integrated Studies (History and Geography)
Physical Education
Music
Drama
Art
Life Orientation

There are 3 core areas of study:

Literacy
Mathematics
Science

We feel that EQ is an important part of children’s learning and run a program called ‘Marvelous Me’. This program is underpinned by the key concepts of Kindness, Gratitude, and Respect.