Primary SCHOOL
OIS primary is a bilingual and international primary school, located in Fagnano Olona.
Book a visitKey players in learning
At OIS Primary School, pupils learn about the world whilst becoming increasingly independent, curious and self-aware. Difficult ideas become chances to explore, and challenges become adventures to work through, step by step. The skills they acquire become tools to help them go further.
School becomes a place where students can ask questions, make connections and grow together, with an educational model that focuses on experience, relationships and practical tools for learning.
educational model
Our educational model integrates active teaching methods and experiential learning within a curriculum designed to help children make sense of the complexities of the world.
Pupils play an active role in class life: they collaborate, experiment, reflect and help to plan learning activities, with clear, shared goals for building skills.
- Active teaching methods: hands-on and meaningful learning
- Interdisciplinary pathways: linking disciplines, experiences and languages
- Peer education: cooperative learning based on responsibility and collaboration
- Visible documentation: a tool for reflection and growth
CURRICULUM
The curriculum integrates the National Guidelines with content drawn from the Cambridge Curriculum, particularly in the humanities (geography and history) and STEM subjects (science, mathematics and coding), through an experiential and interdisciplinary approach. Knowledge grows over time, deepens and is transformed into practical skills.
Our teaching team works together to design the curriculum, making sure pupils build knowledge and achieve the required learning outcomes, while taking different learning styles into account. In this way, the pupils achieve the set objectives and acquire skills across all subject areas through an experiential, engaging approach that is shaped around each child’s potential.
A bilingual Curriculum
In Primary, English is a skill that is nurtured on a daily basis from the very first year: the children learn to read, write and communicate with increasing confidence.
CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) activities and co-teaching let pupils use languages to explore science, art, literature and subject-specific content in a natural and engaging way.
- Native-speaking teachers
- English Language / Cambridge Certifications: 6 hours a week
- English Lab: 4 hours in the first two years, 3 hours in the second two years
- CLIL: Science, Geography, Art and Music taught through bilingual or trilingual co-teaching
- Tinkering & Coding / ICT: computational thinking and problem-solving
- Drama: Expressiveness in English
German is introduced from Year 3, two hours a week, laying the groundwork for the multilingual programme in Middle School.
Cambridge Certifications
Primary pupils are prepared to sit the Cambridge English exams, which reflect the communication skills they have acquired and offer international recognition.
Preparation for Cambridge English Qualifications is built into the school timetable, starting in Year 2.
Certifications:
- Pre-A1 Starters – end of Year 2
- A1 Movers – end of Year 4
- Flyers /A2 Key for Schools – end of Year 5
Outdoor education
Even in Primary School, the outdoor environment is a prime learning space.
The children observe phenomena, collect data, explore the local area and link what they see to the topics covered in class.
- Scientific experiments in the garden and the local area
- An educational vegetable patch for growing, observing and tending
- Mathematical activities based on observation
- Storytelling, readings and outdoor art
- Sustainability and environmental protection projects
Emotional and social development (SEL)
Emotional and social development is an integral part of OIS’s educational programme. Through cooperative learning, drama, group work and daily dialogue with teachers and our pastoral mentor, the children learn to recognise their own emotions, build positive relationships and resolve conflicts respectfully.
The school has launched a specific project on bullying, cyberbullying and the responsible use of social media, featuring sessions for pupils and families, support from pastoral mentor, and a counselling service open to families.
- Cooperative learning and shared responsibility
- Projects that foster empathy and awareness
- Support service for students and families
Food education
Learning to eat well as adults starts with developing a healthy, curious and joyful relationship with food from an early age.
For us, lunchtime is both an educational and a social experience. Our children are also involved in assessing the quality of the school canteen
Teachers are trained to guide the children through this process, and throughout the year we focus on understanding the food pyramid and on reducing food waste.
Taste Club
One of our school’s proudest achievements: the Taste Club is a group of parents involved in evaluating school meals through tasting.
Becoming Education offers healthy eating workshops for parents who wish to play an active role. We welcome them as partners in the children’s wellbeing.
The educational community
The Becoming model sees children, parents and teachers as part of the same educational community.
A community that is rooted in the local area and connected to the environment, where parents feel welcome and involved.
The educational partnership is based on trust, dialogue and collaboration.
- Regular meetings
- Shared documentation
- Events and social occasions
Timetable and a typical day
| Timetable | Activities |
|---|---|
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Pre-school |
| 08:30 – 10:20 | Lessons and workshops |
| 10:20 – 10:35 | break / interval |
| 10:35 – 12:25 | Lessons and workshops |
| 12:25 – 13:20 | Lunch and break/playtime |
| 13:20 – 15:10 | Lessons and workshops |
| 15:10 – 15:20 | break / interval |
| 15:20 – 16:15 | Lessons and workshops |
School life
At OIS, school life is full of events that help students grow into who they are, and build a strong sense of belonging.
- Christmas Concert and Spring Play: music and theatre bring the whole school together.
- Oloniadi: a day of sport for the whole OIS family.
- Book Week: a week dedicated to reading and authors
- OIS School Magazine: children talk about school in their own words
- Maths Kangaroo: for those who love a challenge with numbers
- Field trips and visits to exhibitions, concerts and theatre performances
OIS’S JOURNEY CONTINUES WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL
OIS’s educational continuity continues with the bilingual, accredited Lower Secondary School.
Frequently asked questions
Knowledge is revisited and deepened progressively following a spiral model, ensuring the construction of a solid foundation and lasting skills over time.
Start your journey at OIS
Come and discover OIS: book a visit or request information. We look forward to welcoming you!