Primary School Welcome
Harriet Milton
Head of Primary
It is a real privilege to welcome you to Myanmar International School Yangon’s Primary School. We are proud to provide an engaging education for children from Nursery through to Year 6 (ages 3–11). Lessons are taught in English by our international team of teachers, working alongside highly experienced Myanmar teaching assistants. Our curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum and gives children the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need for learning in the 21st century. Alongside the core subjects of English, maths, science and humanities, children enjoy specialist lessons in music, art, PE, ICT, Mandarin and Myanmar.
As an inclusive school, we are committed to giving every child an education that balances academic achievement, personal growth and social development. Our aim is to spark curiosity, encourage creativity and nurture the individual strengths that each child brings to our school. In doing so, we support our students to grow into compassionate, confident and responsible young people, ready to play their part in the wider world.
We also know that children flourish when school and home work hand in hand. Parents and guardians are an essential part of our learning community, and we truly value their involvement at every stage of the journey. MISY Primary is a lively and welcoming place to learn, full of laughter, energy and purpose. We invite you to visit us, meet our team, and see our students in action.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (Nursery and Reception)
Our Early Years Department at MISY consists of one Nursery class for students aged 3-4 and one Reception class for students aged 4-5. Classes are facilitated by experienced Early Years practitioners who are supported by well-qualified teaching assistants. The department is overseen by the Head of Early Years.
Nursery classes start at 8:10am and finish at 2pm.
Reception classes start at 8:10am and finish at 2:15pm.
Our Objectives
Nursery and Reception at MISY follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum from England. Teachers and specialists work closely together to provide a rich and stimulating environment that meets the needs of each individual child. We aim to provide a smooth transition into school so that children can confidently begin their learning journey. We do this by:
- Providing a caring, happy and secure learning environment;
- Promoting positive relationships amongst all stakeholders;
- Developing positive parent partnerships through regular communication and enhancing links between home and school;
- Facilitating meaningful learning experiences which build firm foundations for learning.
English National Curriculum
The English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) defines seven areas of learning and development. These 7 areas include:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
How Children Learn
Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, being creative, making independent choices and thinking critically. This is facilitated through indoor and outdoor provision and activities are differentiated to account for each child’s developmental stage. Our curriculum is designed to be flexible so that we can follow children’s unique needs and interests. At the same time, we ensure that all curriculum areas are covered extensively so that children develop at expected rates.
Our Early Years ethos is play-based and we provide a wide range of activities, in a learning centre style, for children to choose from. The use of resources is carefully planned for all abilities of learners to be able to access.
Learning centres (or stations) in the classroom are dynamic and change to accommodate changing needs. Continuous provision ensures that there are standard ‘tools’ available throughout the year to develop children’s abilities, whilst enhanced provision extends children’s learning.
Stations may include:
- ‘Funky Fingers:’ Sand, water, dough, messy play
- Investigation (Early Science concepts)
- Construction (Early Maths and Motor Development)
- Maths (Early Maths concepts such as space, shape and numbers)
- Imaginative/Role Play (including puppets and kitchen)
- Mark-making (Emergent writing)
- Art
- Engaging phonics games and activities that reinforce the letter and sound program, introduced during the children’s Reception year.
Specialist Teachers, Educational Trips, Celebrations
Nursery and Reception children attend specialist classes including Music, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), Physical Education (PE), Myanmar Culture and Art classes. All are taught by well-qualified specialist teachers.
Reception children begin their reading journey with daily phonics sessions lasting 15–20 minutes, using the Letters and Sound program. These short, in-class sessions take place four times a week, with additional opportunities provided to reinforce learning. In the second half of Term 1, children also begin participating in guided reading sessions, using the Oxford Reading Tree scheme to further develop their early reading skills.
Educational trips, linked to the curriculum, are planned at least once a year. Children also join in with school-wide celebrations such as International Day, sports days and End of Term performances.
Communication with Parents
We understand that it is vital for parents to be involved in their child’s learning. Regular communication is essential.
Meet the Teachers’ Event
At the beginning of each year, we invite parents to a ‘Meet the Teachers’ event where individual class teachers explain the routines and expectations of their class. This is also a chance for parents to ask questions about the school day.
Reports and Conferences
In order for you to get information about your child’s progress, we report to parents four times a year. This includes two student-teacher-parent conferences and two written reports.
Newsletters
MISY teachers use Class Dojo. This is a safe electronic method of communication between teachers and parents and is used to send regular messages and photos, which update you on what is happening in class.
Campus Facilities
Nursery students enjoy their own purpose-built classroom, complete with a specially designed adjoining bathroom. Reception students learn in a bright, well-resourced room with ample space for learning centres, free play, and a cosy reading corner which includes kitchen, role play, art, phonics, maths, library, and a calm corner. We also have a dedicated Early Years outdoor learning space for activities including: large chalk-boards, water stations, a sand pit and role play houses. Early years students also have access to computer labs, art and music rooms as well as sporting facilities.
Coffee Morning
We also hold regular coffee mornings to update you on new initiatives.
Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2)
Key Stage 1 at MISY consists of two year groups:
Year 1 students are 5 years old at the beginning of the school year. Year 2 students are 6 years old at the beginning of the school year.
Each class is taught by an experienced teacher supported by a well qualified assistant teacher.
Our Objectives
- To provide a secure and happy learning environment
- To promote positive relationships.
- To establish a love for learning that will go with them throughout school
- To help students develop good learning habits
- To help students recognise their own strengths
- To help children to develop an awareness and appreciation of the world around them
- To promote positive parent partnerships through good communication and joint learning opportunities
English National Curriculum
Students in Year 1 and 2 acquire knowledge and skills in line with the English National Curriculum adjusted to an international setting. We provide a varied, balanced and rich programme which fosters a love for learning that we hope your child will carry with them throughout their lives. We know that KS1 is a crucial stage in a child’s school life.
After School Activities, Sports Coaching, Educational Trips and Celebrations
We run a programme of exciting after-school activities and sports coaching which students are encouraged to sign up for each term.
All classes go on at least one educational visit which is linked to the curriculum, and join in school-wide celebrations such as International day, book week, Myanmar cultural days, Chinese New Year, sports days, expressive arts week and end-of-term performances.
Communication with Parents
We understand that it is vital for parents to be involved in their child’s learning and regular communication is essential. We have the following systems to keep you updated.
Meet the Teachers’ Event
At the beginning of the year, individual class teachers explain the routines and expectations of their class. This is also a chance for parents to ask questions about the school day.
Reports and Conferences
Each year there are two student-teacher-parent conferences, and two written reports keeping you up-to-date about your child’s progress.
Newsletters
MISY teachers use Class Dojo. This is a safe electronic method of communication between teachers and parents and is used to send regular messages and photos, which update you on what is happening in class.
Coffee Mornings
We hold regular coffee mornings for parents to update you on new initiatives.
Assessment
Formal in-class standardised assessments of students take place throughout the year. Students are assessed in English (reading comprehension and writing) and Maths (arithmetic and reasoning) and phonics. Student data is analysed and reviewed to ensure a tailored learning programme is developed to support each student.
Technology
The use of technology and digital literacy is an important component of how students access knowledge at MISY. Computing lessons take place each week and students are instructed in the safe use of the internet.
Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6)
Key Stage 2 starts in Year 3 and goes up to Year 6. Year 3 students are 7 years old at the beginning of the academic year. Year 4 students are 8 years old at the beginning of the academic year. Year 5 students are 9 years old at the beginning of the academic year. Year 6 students are 10 years old at the beginning of the academic year.
Each class is taught by an experienced teacher supported by a well-qualified assistant teacher.
Excellent Teaching
MISY international teachers and assistant teachers are well-qualified professionals and receive regular in-house training and professional development. Our teachers are enthusiastic, they love what they do, which means our students love to learn.
Our teaching and learning programmed is designed so that every student:
- Develops critical thinking skills
- Learns independence and self-management
- Builds strong communication and social skills
- Grows in confidence through positive relationships
- Nurtures a lifelong love of learning
- Establishes good learning habits and resilience
- Recognises and celebrates their own strengths
- Gains an awareness and appreciation of the wider world
- Thrives in a secure and happy environment supported by strong school–parent partnerships
School Curriculum Overview
Students in KS2 acquire knowledge and skills in line with the National Curriculum of England. We provide a comprehensive, balanced and rich programme which fosters a love for learning that we hope your child will carry with them throughout their lives. Through the acquisition of deeper knowledge and understanding, we also support the development of skills which transcend subject boundaries and are crucial not only for learning but for life.
Core Subjects
English and Mathematics receive dedicated, ongoing focus to build essential literacy and numeracy skills.
Science, Geography, and History are taught as discrete subjects to ensure students develop a broader understanding of the world, fostering critical thinking and global awareness.
Personal Development
Weekly Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons are crucial for teaching students how to look after themselves physically, emotionally, and socially in a rapidly changing world, including guidance on responsible behavior on the web.
Specialist Instruction
A range of subjects are taught by dedicated specialist teachers:
- Creative Arts: Music, Art, and Drama
- Technology: Computing
- Languages: Mandarin, Myanmar and Myanmar Humanities
- Physical Education (PE)
Reading & Literacy
Each class has a dedicated weekly time for visiting the library, where students borrow books under the guidance of their class teacher to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Students are encouraged to choose and take library books home to share with their families, promoting shared reading experiences.
Assessment
Formal in-class standardised assessments of students take place throughout the year. Students are assessed in English (reading comprehension and writing) and Maths (arithmetic and reasoning). Student data is analysed and reviewed to ensure a tailored learning programme is developed to support each student.
Students in KS2 sit external standardised assessments so that a comparison with other British schools can be undertaken. This provides assurances that our students are making expected academic progress in line with British schools.
English as an Additional Language
The process of acquiring English is supported by the English as an Additional Language (EAL) department. If students arrive at MISY with limited English, they are required to take additional English classes as part of their school day. As their level of English improves, these students are taken off the EAL programme. Some students may still need support in specific areas of English such as reading or writing and we provide additional focused literacy support. English Levels are assessed using WIDA Tests. EAL and the literacy support programme incur a fee.
After-School Activities, Sports, Educational Trips and Celebrations
We run a programme of exciting after-school activities and sports coaching which students are encouraged to sign up for each term.
All classes go on an educational visit which is linked to the curriculum, and join in school-wide celebrations such as International day, book week, Myanmar cultural days, Chinese New Year, sports days, expressive arts week and end-of-term performances.
Communication with Parents
We understand that it is vital for parents to be involved in their child’s learning, for which regular communication is essential. We have the following system to keep you updated.
Meet the Teachers’ Event
At the beginning of the year, where individual class teachers explain the routines and expectations of their classes. This is also a chance for parents to ask questions about the school day.
Reports four times a year
Two student-teacher-parent conferences and two written reports in order for parents to get information about your child’s progress.
Electronic communication
We use Class Dojo which is a safe electronic method of communication between teacher and parent to send regular messages and photos to update you about what is happening in class.
Coffee Mornings
We hold parent coffee mornings to keep updated on our latest initiatives.