Our Pedagogy
At Union School, we believe that an exceptional education combines academic excellence with curiosity, confidence and a strong sense of wellbeing. Our approach is grounded in a deep understanding of how children learn and develop, and in the belief that high expectations and a nurturing environment go hand in hand. From the earliest years onwards, we provide children with rich, purposeful learning experiences that develop secure knowledge, independence, creativity and the ability to think critically. Our bilingual and multicultural environment gives every child the opportunity to learn, connect and thrive in both French and English.
Bilingual Education
At Union School, bilingualism is far more than learning two languages. It is the foundation of our educational philosophy.
Every child learns in English and French through a balanced bilingual programme. Rather than delivering two curricula side by side, we have designed one coherent learning journey that thoughtfully articulates the French National Curriculum and the British Curriculum.
New knowledge introduced in one language is intentionally revisited, applied and extended in the other. This carefully planned progression strengthens long-term memory, promotes the transfer of knowledge between languages and enables pupils to develop the precise academic vocabulary needed to think, reason and communicate confidently in both English and French.
From the Early Years onwards, children are immersed in both languages through meaningful interactions, rich conversations, stories, songs, play and carefully planned learning experiences. As they progress through the school, they develop fluency in speaking, listening, reading, writing and counting in both languages.
By making explicit connections across languages, our teachers help children develop cognitive flexibility, deepen conceptual understanding and become truly bilingual learners: children who can not only communicate, but also think, question and solve problems in two languages.
Academic Excellence
At Union School, academic excellence is built on ambitious expectations, expert teaching and a deep understanding of how children learn.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that new learning builds upon secure foundations. Teachers use regular formative assessment to check understanding, identify misconceptions and adapt teaching so that every child is appropriately challenged, supported and able to make excellent progress.
Drawing on research in cognitive science, we help pupils retain and transfer their learning through retrieval practice, deliberate practice and explicit instruction. At the same time, learning is active, engaging and meaningful.
Through inquiry, discussion, practical exploration and collaborative problem-solving, children develop curiosity alongside secure knowledge.
We place particular emphasis on metacognition. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their thinking, understand how they learn best, make connections across subjects and languages, and become increasingly independent learners.
Learning from the Early Years
The Early Years are a crucial foundation for lifelong learning. From the moment they join Union School, children are encouraged to explore, question, communicate and make sense of the world around them.
Our Early Years curriculum brings together the strengths of the French Programme de l’École Maternelle and the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), creating a coherent and developmentally appropriate bilingual learning journey.
Young children learn through active engagement. Our classrooms are carefully prepared environments where purposeful play, sensory exploration, practical experiences and meaningful interactions allow children to investigate, create, communicate and solve problems. Every experience has a clear learning intention and is grounded in an understanding of child development, while remaining responsive to children’s interests, developmental readiness and individual rhythms.
Teachers use skilled questioning, observation and interaction to extend children’s thinking and language. Children are gradually supported to become more independent, resilient and confident learners, developing the knowledge, skills and dispositions they need for the next stages of their education.
Language is at the heart of learning. Through high-quality literature, storytelling, songs, nursery rhymes and rich conversations in both English and French, children develop vocabulary, oral language, sentence structure and phonological awareness. In MS, children begin their reading journey through a systematic phonics programme n English, establishing the foundations for confident and successful readers in both languages.
Mathematics is taught through the internationally recognised Singapore Maths approach, developing number sense, conceptual understanding, reasoning and problem-solving from the earliest years. Children explore mathematical ideas through concrete materials, practical experiences, patterns, comparison and discussion. Elements of the Montessori approach further support independence, concentration and hands-on discovery.
Physical development is also an essential part of learning. Through daily movement, practical activities and carefully planned experiences, children develop gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance and independence. Weekly specialist teaching includes PE, with outdoor tennis introduced from PS. Fine motor development is carefully nurtured through play and manipulation, with mark-making developing naturally into purposeful writing and following the Dumont progression towards fluent cursive handwriting.
Character, Wellbeing and Personal Growth
We believe that an outstanding education develops not only knowledgeable pupils, but also kind, confident and responsible young people.
Children’s emotional wellbeing underpins every aspect of school life. Through our PSHE curriculum, assemblies, philosophy sessions and everyday interactions, pupils learn to understand themselves, recognise and express their emotions, develop empathy, build positive relationships and become increasingly independent.
They learn to communicate respectfully, cooperate with others, resolve disagreements constructively, make responsible choices and appreciate different perspectives. Age-appropriate learning around safeguarding, healthy lifestyles, online safety, diversity and inclusion gives children the knowledge, language and confidence to make safe and thoughtful decisions.
These values are lived every day. Courtesy, kindness and respect underpin life at Union School, creating a culture where every child feels safe to take risks, embrace challenges and grow with confidence.
A Rich and Inspiring Curriculum
Alongside a rigorous academic programme, children experience a broad and stimulating curriculum designed to nurture curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.
From an early age, pupils benefit from specialist teaching in Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Philosophy, Chess, Digital Literacy, Learning to Learn and our Potager programme, where they explore sustainability, environmental responsibility and their connection with the natural world.
These experiences are not simply additions to the curriculum, they complete and reinforce it. They provide opportunities for children to develop creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, problem-solving and leadership, while discovering their own interests and strengths.
Outstanding Teachers
Exceptional schools are built by exceptional teachers.
Our team consists of fully qualified teachers with experience across French, British and international educational settings. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise, diverse perspectives and a shared commitment to educational excellence.
Professional learning is embedded within the culture of Union School. Teachers engage in continuous professional development, collaborative planning, lesson study, coaching and educational research to ensure that our practice continues to evolve.
United by high expectations, intellectual curiosity and a genuine passion for education, our teachers create classrooms where every child feels challenged, supported and inspired to achieve their very best.
Our Learning Environment
We provide a rich learning environment with opportunities for children to play, explore and create. We seek to harness the natural curiosity of our children by encouraging child initiated learning and open-ended play. These aspects are supported by the best classroom equipment and materials for learning by investigation.
The principles of our curriculum are based on the core subjects of communication and language, literacy, numeracy, understanding the world as well as important competences such as self-regulation and social skills. We take techniques from excellent practice such as Singapore maths and the UK Letters and Sounds phonics programme as well as child centered learning experts.
Toute Petite Section (TPS)
Age 2 to 3
A GENTLE AND THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED BEGINNING TO SCHOOL
Starting school at 2 is a significant step for a young child. At Union School, our TPS programme has been specifically designed to make this first experience of school warm, secure and stimulating.
At this age, children learn through relationships, movement, language, play and exploration. Our priority is therefore to create an environment in which every child feels safe, understood and valued, while gradually developing the confidence and independence to explore beyond the familiar.
Growing, Exploring and Discovering
TPS children learn with their whole body. Their days are rich in sensory experiences, movement, practical activities and open-ended exploration. Children manipulate, investigate, observe, create and experiment, building early language, thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills through first-hand experiences.
The curriculum combines the strengths of the French Programme de l’École Maternelle and the English EYFS, with learning carefully planned around children’s developmental needs while remaining flexible enough to follow their emerging interests and individual readiness.
Children begin to develop early foundations in language and literacy in French and in English, mathematics, understanding the world, creativity and physical development through stories, songs, conversations, practical activities, nature, music, art, movement and play.
Relationships and Emotional Security
For our youngest pupils, relationships are at the heart of learning.
Predictable routines and caring, responsive adults help children develop secure relationships, recognise and express their emotions, build confidence, cooperate with others and gradually become more independent in everyday routines.
We give children time to settle, observe, explore and develop at their own pace. Our teachers know each child as an individual and carefully observe their development so that support can be adapted to their needs.
Bilingualism from the Very Beginning
From the age of 2, children experience French and English naturally throughout their day through songs, stories, conversations, routines and play. Language is not treated as two separate subjects; instead, children encounter both languages in meaningful contexts and through trusted relationships with adults.
The TPS class is led by a qualified French teacher and supported by two English-speaking Early Years practitioners, providing a particularly rich level of adult interaction, language exposure and personalised attention.
This generous adult-to-child provision allows us to build strong relationships with every child, support their individual development and create the secure foundations from which their bilingual journey can flourish.
At Union School, TPS is more than a first year of school. It is a carefully supported first step into a lifelong love of learning.