The core language of the classroom / other languages used
In the Russian Stream: Primary (RuSP), Russian is the main language of instruction. The aim is to provide an immersive environment and this is achieved by positively encouraging students to use the RuSP’s shared language.
Entrants to RuSP are expected to possess a basic level of competency in the Russian language.
Support is available for children (primarily in the younger primary classes) who have some knowledge of the language but are not yet fully fluent or able to access the curriculum.
Students in RuSP receive one ‘English as an Additional Language’ lesson a day and three ‘Global Perspectives’ lessons a week. English is the language of instruction in these lessons.
The Azerbaijani language is studied by students in the RuSP as a compulsory language; other Modern Foreign Language options offered to students in RuSP are explained in the section The curriculum subjects and our approach to teaching and learning.
Class sizes and adult to children ratios
Grade 1 (6-7 years) - max. 18 children, (minimum) 1 class teacher, 1 assistant teacher present for all lessons
Grade 2 (7-8 years) - max. 18 children, (minimum) 1 class teacher, 1 assistant teacher present for all lessons
Grade 3 (8-9 years) - max. 18 children, (minimum) 1 class teacher, 1 assistant teacher present for all lessons
Grade 4 (9-10 years) - max. 18 children, (minimum) 1 class teacher, 1 assistant teacher present for all lessons
All of the above are offered by the Russian: Primary in the 2018-19 academic year.
All students in the Russian Stream: Primary are assigned to a particular class and class teacher who teaches the majority of lessons to that group of children, with the exception of specialist-taught lessons. Your child’s class teacher is the key adult responsible for their learning and personal development.
The curriculum subjects and our approach to teaching and learning
Students attending the Russian Stream: Primary study the following subjects:
The Russian Stream: Primary uses the standard national curriculum of Azerbaijan as its core curriculum document. Elements of other recognised international curricula are used to compliment this programme, providing a high quality learning journey for all students.
Students in the RuSP experience a blend of traditional and modern teaching; collaborative learning, tactile and kinaesthetic learning and frequent opportunities to use technology as a learning aid are key components of the approach that we use.
According to educational research, children are capable of passively listening and concentrating for their chronological age + 2 minutes (i.e. an eight-year old can do this for around 10 minutes with optimum effectiveness); in recognition of this, we blend lively, focused teacher input sessions with a duration of around 10 minutes with opportunities for independent, paired, group and project-based learning in order to optimise student engagement and progress.
This approach ensures that high standards are reached in relation to literacy (reading and writing), numeracy (mathematics) and basic social skills while students also develop the vital 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity and criticality required for success in work and life in a fast-changing world. Opportunities for students to use computers and other devices and to decide how (and about what) they wish to learn are woven into the fabric of both the curriculum and the extra-curricular activities.
All students in the Russian Stream: Primary are assigned to a particular class and class teacher who teaches the majority of lessons to that group of children, with the exception of specialist-taught lessons. Each primary child’s class teacher is the key adult within school who is responsible for their learning and personal development.
10-11 year old students in the science laboratory
6-7 year old students carrying out measuring work in a group using markers and multi-link cubes
7-8 year old students learning collaboratively on an ipad
Assessing student progress / examinations
Students studying in the The Russian Stream: Primary complete summative national examinations in each of the compulsory national curriculum subjects twice per year.
In addition to these biannual tests, students are regularly assessed (using a range of methods) upon completion of learning units, weekly or monthly, in order to ensure that they are making progress and to enable teachers to optimise lesson planning.
Examinations and other forms of assessment are administered in an age-appropriate and positive way, with the aim of identifying and addressing any gaps in learning and fostering a ‘growth mindset’ in our students; we also aim to support students in developing the examination skills that they require in order to succeed in their further studies.
Meal times
Students are served breakfast around the start of the school day, lunch and a snack mid-afternoon.