Grades 4–8
From Grade 4 students have many teachers, grades on a scale from 1 to 6 and more and more independent work.
What changes in Grade 4
The move to subject teaching is the biggest change in primary school. Instead of one teacher, a dozen or more teach the class, and grades replace descriptive assessment.
That is why September in Grade 4 is a time for settling in. In the first weeks we do not give failing grades. In form periods students learn to keep exercise books, plan their learning and use the e-register.
Grades 4–6 have their own classroom and return to it after lessons in specialist rooms. Grades 7 and 8 learn in subject rooms.
Subjects
| Classes | Subjects |
|---|---|
| 4–6 | Polish, maths, English, history, science subjects, computer science, technology, art, music, PE, health education |
| 7–8 | Polish, maths, English, German, history, science subjects (biology, geography, physics, chemistry), computer science, PE, health education, career guidance; in Grade 8 also civics and safety education |
The exact list of subjects and the number of hours in each grade are set by the framework curriculum. All classes have one form period a week.
We teach health education in Grades 4–8. A parent can opt their child out of these classes in writing, by the deadline given by the school at the start of the year.
Splitting into groups
| Activity | Grouping |
|---|---|
| Foreign languages | groups of up to 15 students, arranged by level |
| Computer science | groups of up to 15 students, each at their own workstation |
| Physical education in Grades 5–8 | girls and boys separately |
| Physics and chemistry lab sessions | groups of up to 15 |
We review language group placements at the start of each year. A student can change groups if the level no longer suits them.
Tests and homework
Learning support
Catch-up and enrichment classes take place at the same times. Students choose what they need in a given term and are not permanently assigned to any group.
In Grades 7 and 8 we provide career guidance. In Grade 8 there are also classes preparing for the eighth-grade exam in Polish, maths and English.
Students can go to the school counsellor or psychologist on their own, without making an appointment. The specialists are available at the times given on their pages.
Class project
Each class carries out one project a year combining several subjects. It chooses the topic in September and presents the result in June: an exhibition, a guidebook, a game, a play or a film.
The project teaches teamwork, planning and speaking in front of an audience. It is not given a subject grade.