Primary

Primed for success

At the British International School of Cracow (BISC Kraków), we strive to provide a safe, friendly, supportive and caring environment to maximise our students’ learning potential. Through our truly international community, we offer a unique learning experience in the very heart of Kraków.

We believe in every student as an individual and aim to meet their needs, developing the whole person both socially and academically. With a maximum of 16 children per group, our class teachers, subject specialists and learning support assistants can all dedicate more time and focus on each student to ensure everyone reaches their goals.

The Primary section of the British International School of Cracow consists of six year groups for children between the ages of 5 and 11, divided into two key stages, following the guidelines of the Cambridge Primary Curriculum.

A young girl focused on coloring a book in a primary classroom setting, enhancing learning.

Key Stage 1

We understand that Key Stage 1 is a crucial stage in a child’s school life. We aim to provide an environment where children learn through first-hand experience and begin to take responsibility for their own learning, establishing good habits and a love of education.

Year 1

5-6

Year 2

6-7

Key Stage 2

Key Stage 2 at BISC Kraków is designed to create responsible members of the community and prepare them for the challenges of Secondary education. The content introduced through topics becomes increasingly challenging, prompting students to begin questioning and forming links across subject areas. Children also begin studying a modern foreign language and take part in our Green Camp and Ski Camp programmes held each year in a variety of locations across Poland and neighbouring countries.

Year 3

7-8

Year 4

8-9

Year 5

9-10

Year 6

10-11

Our Curriculum

English & Literacy
Our English Literature and Language lessons are designed to inspire a love of reading, writing, and creative expression. Students explore a rich range of texts from classic novels, drama, poetry and non-fiction, developing strong writing, analytical and critical-thinking skills. Through engaging activities and structured writing tasks, students gain confidence in expressing ideas clearly and creatively. The curriculum also builds essential language skills, including grammar, vocabulary and speaking, preparing students to succeed both academically and beyond the classroom.
Languages
Beginning in Key Stage 1, children have the opportunity to learn Polish as a foreign language before progressing to also include other language studies from Key Stage 2. For students who require significant further support with English, EAL support classes are also included within the weekly timetable.
Maths & Numeracy
Like English, Mathematics is also taught daily. We aim to instil confidence and inspire a love of Maths, using a wide range of resources and techniques. Our priority for our younger students is to develop all the tools they will need to progress and have a full understanding of how numbers work. It is therefore important they gain practical experience, using objects, money, hundred squares and number lines to experience the number system away from the page. We also use interactive games and teaching aids to help further their knowledge and experience. In Key Stage 2, children learn and develop a number of strategies to help further their understanding of the number system and especially develop their mental calculations and approaches to problems.
Science
Following the Cambridge Curriculum for Science, we want our pupils to ask questions and find out why things are the way they are. Students conduct weekly experiments, giving them the opportunity to plan, question, observe and thus draw their own conclusions from experience. Science is a practical, hands-on lesson wherever possible. In Key Stage 1, children observe and experience the world around them, whilst our older students are challenged to broaden their own scientific view of the world and develop their own questions for investigation.
Humanities
Humanities is the broad term used to cover other subjects within the curriculum, such as History, Geography and Design Technology. These will vary depending on the term, allowing the children to receive a well-rounded education and to cover all aspects of the curriculum. Often these areas are taught through cross-curricular links with English and other areas and are delivered in a varied and hands-on approach.
Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
At BISC Kraków, students with additional or special educational needs are supported through a comprehensive and individualised support system. A full-time ALN Coordinator works closely with students, teachers, and families to ensure that every pupil receives guidance tailored to their individual strengths, needs, and learning goals. The Coordinator is based on site and is available throughout the school day. Support is built on regular classroom observations, in-class support, and close collaboration with teachers to ensure that appropriate strategies are effectively implemented during lessons. Individual learning plans and targeted interventions are developed where needed, with continuous monitoring of students’ progress. We use a range of specialist tools and evidence-based programmes, including NESSY, to support the development of literacy, spelling, reading fluency, and phonological awareness. These tools help students build confidence, strengthen key learning skills, and access the curriculum more effectively. Students also benefit from access to a wider network of specialist support, including a school psychologist, pedagogical support staff, and other specialists. Close and ongoing cooperation with families is a key element of our approach, ensuring consistency between school and home and enabling students to receive well-rounded academic and emotional support. Through this inclusive and collaborative model, BISC Kraków creates a learning environment in which all students feel supported, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
As an international school, we welcome children from all over the globe and as such, students who may be new to English. EAL programmes focus on communicative competency as the foremost priority. This includes the language needed to make strong social bonds and to excel in academia. Our teaching takes a natural approach, drawing on leading linguistic theory on the acquisition of additional languages in childhood. At all times, EAL intervention programmes are fun and supportive places to learn, thrive and gain confidence in English.

Beyond the Classroom

At BISC Kraków, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Our students grow through real-life experiences, cultural events, and outdoor adventures that build confidence, teamwork, and curiosity.

Green Camp

Our summer “Green Camp” focuses on sports, teamwork, and outdoor adventures. Students challenge themselves while exploring nature in Poland or the Czech Republic. The camp encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership through a variety of outdoor games and team challenges. Children take part in activities such as hiking, canoeing, and group sports that strengthen their physical fitness and social bonds.

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Vibrant tents on a grassy mountain ridge with a stunning sunrise view, ideal for adventure.
girl, kids, little girl, baby photo, skiing, skiing, skiing, skiing, skiing, skiing

Ski Week

Each winter, children head to the mountains to ski or snowboard in the Czech Republic, Austria, or Italy — combining fun, physical activity, and friendship. The camp offers a perfect balance of adventure and learning, as students practice new skills under the guidance of experienced instructors. Days are filled with skiing, snowboarding, and exploring the beautiful alpine surroundings, while evenings bring relaxation, games, and shared experiences with friends. It’s a time for children to grow in confidence, resilience, and teamwork while creating unforgettable memories on the slopes.

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Cultural Events

Throughout the year, our school life is enriched by a wide range of cultural, artistic, and community events that connect learning with local traditions and the wider world. We celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Día de los Muertos, encouraging students to share their backgrounds and learn from one another. Students also take part in Kraków’s cultural heritage by participating in the Kraków Nativity Scene (Szopka Krakowska) competition, and by creating their own dragon and hosting a school stand during the Dragon Parade. Music and performance play an important role in school life through our Winter Concert, Summer Concert, and Salony Muzyczne, while regular visits to theatres, museums, and cultural events in Kraków further deepen students’ understanding of art, history, and culture. These experiences foster creativity, cultural awareness, and a strong sense of belonging within our school community.

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A joyful group of children lying on carpet, forming a circle and smiling at the camera.

House System

Every student belongs to a “House,” working together to earn points, build community spirit, and celebrate achievements as true House Champions. The House System encourages teamwork, friendship, and healthy competition across all year groups. Through sports, quizzes, and creative challenges, students learn the value of cooperation and respect. It’s a vibrant part of school life that strengthens relationships and helps every child feel proud to contribute to their team’s success.

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Polish Programme

The British International School of Cracow also welcomes Polish families who are seeking a truly global education for their children in Kraków. As an international school, BISC Kraków delivers the Polish core curriculum alongside the Cambridge programme, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Polish education system and certification by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Poland.

Polish citizens educated in our international environment have the opportunity to deepen their learning through additional classes in Polish history and the geography of Poland, allowing them to strengthen their understanding of national heritage while benefiting from an international curriculum. For students from abroad, the school offers Polish as a foreign language, which plays a key role in integration, effective communication, and understanding Polish culture and traditions.

The British International School of Cracow celebrates Polish national holidays, commemorating important events in Polish history and fostering a strong sense of community, belonging, and mutual respect. Our students feel confident in a multicultural environment where English and Polish are used naturally alongside each other. From an early age, pupils learn about different cultures and religions in an inclusive and authentic way, developing tolerance and openness as an integral part of their educational experience.

A Polish flag flutters against a bright blue sky with clouds, symbolizing national pride.

Natural Progression

The end of Primary education and the start of students’ Secondary years is a huge milestone in their lives. We have made sure that progressing into the Secondary phase of the school is as seamless a process as possible. BISC Kraków welcomes students from the Foundation stage all the way to the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. As such, one of the most endearing features of the British International School of Cracow is the family atmosphere of the school, with older students acting as role models and mentors to those in the younger years.

Although subject offerings and the structure of the school day will change to reflect the students’ maturity, the familiar faces of specialist teachers and the facilities shared across the Primary and Secondary help maintain a familiar atmosphere. The whole school is housed within a single building meaning peer groups and families stay together throughout a child’s school years.

Want to know more?

See what a day in the life of our Primary students looks like

Group of kids enjoying a football game on a sunny day in the park.
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