In primary education at Mestral, we drive the areas of maths and language learning, as well as the transverse use of new technologies.
Throughout primary we have implemented the Jump Maths learning programme, innovative yet highly diversified in other countries and Spain, which encourages collective and collaborative learning, making maths playful and strategic. The objective of this programme is to overcome the barriers that some students have when learning maths. The use of chess as a means of education continues through primary school.
Subjects taught in English are Social Science, Natural Science and Arts & Crafts. With further regard to the subject of English, which is taught every day, we work on students’ communicative skills and we prepare them in the best way possible to undertake the Cambridge exams (Young Learners, KET and PET). Additionally, the school provides conversation assistants in order to encourage fluency in the language.
With the purpose of increasing students learning German, Mestral school has signed a collaboration agreement with the Goethe institution in order to prepare and examine our students in the establishment and provide them with certificates that show the different levels they have obtained in German. Since the beginning of the course 21/22, in order to reach this purpose we have increased the hours of German lessons that will be implemented in the following way in primary:
- -From Nursery until 4th year of Primary: they have one hour of German a week.
- -Year 5 and 6 Primary: two hours of German a week.
The students, in primary school, use iPad’s in different subjects periodically. Since the 18/19 academic year, the sixth year students use them in one to one format (each student has their own tablet).
In the first and second year of primary we introduce the use of robotics and programming, through a Bee-Bot. This simple robot is an ideal means of demonstrating the initial stages of programming, assisting the understanding in the very youngest children of the concept of algorithms and how to use them in simple programmes. From the third year of primary, we use Lego WeDo, an offer from Robotics Lego for the youngest students.
We have implemented the Progrentis method (from year 2 of Primary) which develops creative thinking through reading comprehension. This method is based on three levels of work: decoding, reasoning and memorizing. The Reading efficiency is improved by measured progress. This method, which affords improved understanding of texts and ability to incorporate learning, leads to better results in all subjects
In the subjects of Castellano and Catalan we stimulate the constructive imagination of our students through the reading matter and Creative Writing Workshops.
We continue with Kiva programme for the prevention of school bullying. This programme is being used successfully in Finland, achieving the eradication of bullying in schools.
We stimulate the programme Learn to think, the intention of which is to make students aware of the decision - making process and of comprehension of or reflection on how we think and how we learn things.
Likewise, emotional education and sensibility to music are granted an essential role.
In physical education classes, primary students have swimming lessons using facilities adjacent to the school.
The primary timetable is from 9 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm, with the possibility of supervision from 8 to 9 am. We also offer lunch service from 1 to 3 pm.
