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On this page, you can find programme specific information for the Primary School (Pre-K - PYP 5).
Please note that if your child is enrolled in the Early Years Programme (Pre-K - Kindergarten), you can find additional information and policies specifically for the Early Years here.
School Timings and Schedule
The start and finish times of all PYP classes (Pre-K to PYP 5) are the same:
Mondays to Thursdays: 8:20-14:20
Fridays: 8:30-13:35
The homeroom teacher will communicate the actual lessons and break times at the start of the school year. There are four different schedules:
Early Years schedules (Pre-K and Kindergarten)
Lower PYP (PYP1-PYP2) schedule
Middle PYP (PYP 3) schedule
Upper PYP (PYP4-PYP5) schedule
The start and end times, and class schedule, will be confirmed with the homeroom teacher.
Before School (K-PYP 5)
Children may enter the playground between 8:10-8:20 and wait for 10 minutes near their entrance. Please be advised that if children arrive at school between 8:10 and 8:20, they will not be supervised, and parents are held accountable for their conduct.
Students can enter the building from 8:20-8:25 and should be ready in classrooms by 8:30.
If parents need to drop their PYP children off earlier than 8:20 on a regular basis, these children must be enrolled in the Morning club where there is adult supervision.
Health and Illness
Keeping our school community healthy is a shared responsibility, and we ask all families to do their part. It is completely normal for primary school children to get sick more often, especially as their immune systems are still developing. These early exposures help build immunity over time, particularly as children adjust to being in group settings like school.
If your child is sick, they must stay home. Please inform your child’s teaching team of their absence. If your child becomes unwell during the school day, the school reception will contact you to arrange pick-up.
If your child has a contagious condition such as chickenpox, pinworm, lice, or any other communicable illness, please inform the teaching team so we can take appropriate precautions. We will also notify the Grade Level community so that other families can monitor their children for symptoms. Individual names or identifying information will not be shared.
If your child has had a fever, they may return to school only after being fever free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
For additional information, please refer to the Wellbeing section of the Family Guide.
Essential Agreements
Classroom Essential Agreements are rules and guidelines that are co-created with the teachers and students each year. Though they will change from class to class, in general, students should:
Come to class ready to learn
Respect the safety, well-being, and right to learn of others
Remain in class unless given permission otherwise from their teacher(s)
Demonstrate the Learner Profile Attributes, which lead to International Mindedness
In situations where these expectations are not being followed, parents will be notified
Morning Meeting (Responsive Classroom inspired)
Primary Years classroom holds a Morning Meeting or Circle Time. This is a time to gather in a ”circle so that all can see and be seen” (p. 24). Through establishing a culture of open classrooms and shared best practices, members of our teaching community are welcome to join a Morning Meeting.
The purpose of a Morning Meeting:
Sets a tone for respectful and engaged learning in a climate of trust
Builds and enhances connections among students and between students and teachers
Merges academic, social, and emotional learning
Motivates students by addressing the human need to feel a sense of significance and belonging and to have fun
Enables some extraordinary moments through repetition and respectful interaction
(p. 11)
Morning Meeting Format:
Greeting - Students greet each other by name, often including handshaking, singing, movement, and other activities.
Sharing - Students share some news or information about themselves and respond to each other, articulating their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a positive way.
Group Activity - The whole class does a short, inclusive activity together, reinforcing learning and building class cohesion through active participation.
Morning Message - Students practice academic skills and warm up for the day ahead by reading and discussing a daily note to the class posted by their teacher.
(p. 3)
*Responsive Classroom, 3rd Edition “The Morning Meeting Book K-8” by Roxann Kriete & Carol Davis
Grade Level Placement and Class Balancing
In PYP, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that supports the individual needs and wellbeing of every student. As part of this philosophy we implement an annual class rebalancing process to ensure that each child's educational experience is optimized.
When creating class groups, we take many factors into careful consideration, including class size, diversity, academic needs, language development, social-emotional dynamics, peer relationships, and student well-being. We gather input from teachers and students, and we welcome parents to share their insights during the request period each May. While we are unable to guarantee specific placements, all input is thoughtfully considered as we work to create balanced class communities where students can thrive.
In line with our commitment to supporting individual development, we typically recommend separating siblings into different classes.
We can only finalise the class lists a few days before school starts. There are many last-minute changes depending on enrolments, and this affects the class lists. You will receive a notification from the school a few days prior to the start of school informing you of your child’s class and homeroom teacher, as soon as the class lists are ready.
Our goal is to thoughtfully place each student in a learning environment that supports their academic growth, personal well-being, and positive classroom experience.
Mobile Phones, Smartwatches, etc
PYP students may use mobile phones and similar devices outside of school hours. However, during the school day, these devices are not permitted. PYP students must hand in their devices to their homeroom teacher at the start of the school day, and returned at the end, unless they are used for specific learning purposes. PYP 5 students may use their devices before or after school, either under supervision of teachers, or outside the school building.
Devices seen or heard within the school day (corridors, classrooms, etc) without permission may be taken for safekeeping and returned at the end of the day.
These rules also apply to After School Care Program (ASCP).
Trips and Events
Field Trips
Class trips are designed to be social, educational, and fun. Trips are scheduled at various times throughout the school year and all students are required to participate.
Parents will be notified of all field trips at least two weeks in advance (unless they are trips to local areas including the forest near Mindelunden and the playground in Søholmslund park).
Students must agree to adhere to the guidelines set by the school. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the cancellation of the trip for the entire class or the individual student. Any expenses incurred as a result of such cancellations must be covered by the students and their parents.
Behavior expectations and conduct procedures during trips are consistent with the regular school rules and class essential agreements.
The field trip approval form (provided at the start of the school year), must be signed, before a student can attend any field trip.
Special Events
The school regularly holds celebrations for Halloween, Fastelavn, and other events. During these days, toy weapons and potentially dangerous objects (e.g., sticks as part of costumes) are not permitted on school grounds, even during celebrations such as Fastelavn and Halloween.
Birthdays
In PYP1-PYP5, families are welcome to celebrate their child's birthday at school. They may bring something for the class to recognize this important day. We prefer pre-packaged snacks and discourage candy. Here are some alternative suggestions:
Small goodie bags filled with non-food novelties such as erasers, pencils, and stickers
Purchase something for the classroom
Read a story to the class
Provide a disposable crown for the day
Donate a book to the school library in honor of your child
For food/drinks brought from home:
Provide two weeks' notice.
Ensure the food or snacks are completely prepared and ready to distribute.
Provide an ingredients list if it is homemade, and ensure it is nut-free.
Ask the teacher about any allergies or foods that cannot be eaten.
We ask families to only offer food to their own children when on school premises unless it is an arranged event (e.g., a class party).
Each grade makes a plan for birthday celebrations each year, considering allergies, dietary restrictions, and other factors for the students. It is possible that food may not be allowed for a grade level due to specific health needs. These needs are discussed with the class to promote kindness and empathy as part of an inclusive approach.
Classroom Environment and Inquiry-Play Based Learning
Classroom environments are based on student voice and democratic processes. Children’s influence within the class is supported by the teachers. The documents below are reference guides for IB Primary Years Programme Teachers:
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