At St. Andrews Sathorn, empowering every child’s future is more than just our mission; it’s our responsibility. To make a meaningful and lasting impact, we introduce our unique approach to education to children as young as two years old. This early exposure not only helps them develop essential skills and knowledge but also fosters a love of learning that can last a lifetime.

Our Unique Teaching Model: The UK Curriculum

Our teaching model follows the UK curriculum, which provides children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) with a holistic and inclusive space for learning. This framework not only supports academic development but also cultivates emotional, social, and physical growth.

Individualism: Cultivating a Child-Centric Learning Experience

A cornerstone of the EYFS framework is individualism. This child-centric approach allows children to flourish in a learning experience tailored to their unique needs. Our dedicated educators personalise activities to match each child’s pace and interests, ensuring every child feels valued and engaged. However, personalised learning is just one aspect of the high-quality education we provide.

Engaging Parents: The Key to Academic Success

At St. Andrews, we recognise the significant role parental involvement plays in a child’s academic journey. Research consistently shows that engaged parents help their children excel academically, build healthy relationships, and maintain a positive mindset. For these reasons, our early years teachers actively encourage collaboration with parents. Many parents commend the accessibility of our teaching staff, noting that they are always available to address concerns and provide prompt, helpful responses. This cooperative effort transforms every home into an extension of the learning environment.

Holistic Development: Our Comprehensive Curriculum

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our learners achieve holistic development. To promote personal, social, and emotional growth, our curriculum is built on the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) to gauge academic readiness.

Why CoEL Matters in EYFS

The Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) are foundational principles within the EYFS framework. Rather than concentrating solely on what children learn, CoEL emphasises how they learn. This approach instils positive learning behaviours among our children, which we believe are essential for academic success and personal growth.

The three characteristics of effective learning identified by the EYFS are:

1. Playing and Exploring: This characteristic motivates curiosity. At St. Andrews, we encourage children to engage with their environment enthusiastically. Our play sessions are designed to inspire young learners to take risks and learn from their interactions with the world around them.
2. Active Learning: Many young learners in the EYFS struggle with maintaining focus and persistence. To counter this, we implement activities that present new challenges. When difficulties arise, we empower children to continue trying, thereby fostering resilience. We also encourage them to celebrate their successes, no matter how small, helping them to value progress and instil a sense of determination.
3. Creating and Thinking Critically: At St. Andrews Sathorn, we value innovation. Our early years curriculum includes activities designed to promote creative thinking. We provide opportunities for young learners to connect their experiences and knowledge, constructing new understandings of the world around them.

CoEL’s Role in Transitioning to Primary School

By integrating CoEL into our curriculum, we equip children with the skills they need to thrive when they transition to primary school. One critical area of development CoEL addresses is language and communication. This helps children learn to express themselves effectively while also understanding others, creating a solid foundation for literacy and meaningful social interactions.

Another essential component is personal, social, and emotional development. In primary school, children engage in activities that promote effective collaboration with their peers. To prepare our EYFS learners for this transition, we focus on building their self-confidence. Our trained teachers guide each child in managing their emotions, helping them appreciate the importance of developing and maintaining healthy relationships.

Finally, we prioritise physical development. Our school provides a safe environment for children to explore their surroundings. Through play sessions, we enhance their movement and spatial awareness while honing their fine motor skills, which are crucial for tasks like gripping pencils and using scissors safely. These foundational skills prepare them for the academic tasks ahead.

Ensuring a Smooth Transition to Primary School

The transition from EYFS to primary school can be a daunting experience for many children. However, our small class sizes and the supportive community at St. Andrews Sathorn make this transition smoother. Children have opportunities to interact with teachers from higher year groups, easing any apprehension and often sparking excitement as they visit their classrooms and build on previous learning experiences.

Key Takeaway: Preparing for the 4 C’s

With CoEL at the core of our curriculum, we ensure that each child is ready for the 4 C’s: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. This comprehensive early years education helps children flourish not only academically but also socially, preparing them to face the challenges of a globalised society.

Supporting New Learners: The Importance of Adjustment

As an international school, we welcome new students from diverse educational backgrounds and countries. Transferring schools can be an overwhelming experience for young learners, potentially hindering their academic performance. At St. Andrews Sathorn, we consider it our responsibility to support children in adjusting to their new learning environments.

To facilitate this transition, our staff collaborates closely with parents. If your child is experiencing difficulty with this change, one of our trained educators may ask you essential questions to better understand their needs. Following this, the teacher will provide regular updates on your child’s progress, helping you support their adaptation at home.

Commitment to Individual Support

Our commitment to support doesn’t end with communication. Our teachers dedicate time to work individually with new learners, especially when they show signs of struggling. At St. Andrews Sathorn, we strive to ensure that every child feels a sense of belonging—a promise we hold dear.

Parents have praised our school for its culture of care, with one remarking, “Our culture of care is outstanding.” Another parent shared their appreciation for the warm, family-oriented atmosphere at our school, noting, “The headteacher knows my child’s name!” These sentiments illustrate how our welcoming environment helps children find a second home within our nurturing classrooms.

Exceptional Teaching: What Sets Our Educators Apart

At St. Andrews Sathorn, we take great pride in our highly skilled educators, dedicated to fostering every child’s growth. Our teachers undergo rigorous training in the UK curriculum, ensuring that all children in the EYFS receive world-class educational experiences.

We firmly believe that learning is a perpetual journey—even for teachers! That’s why we prioritise continuing professional development (CPD), focusing on personalising learning. This ongoing training equips our teachers to tailor their teaching approaches to meet the unique needs of their learners. Ultimately, this empowerment enables each child to improve at their own pace, reflecting our commitment to educational excellence.

Gold Rated by the Educational Development Trust

One of the most compelling reasons why St. Andrews Sathorn is a standout choice for EYFS learners is our exceptional track record. The Educational Development Trust (EDT) has awarded us a gold rating across all eight parts of their rigorous evaluation. This accolade underscores our commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience for every child.

The EDT’s evaluation standards include:

1. Standard 1: Students’ Progress and Achievements: Our gold rating signifies that, upon completing EYFS, our learners have not only reached but often exceeded the National Standards of England for Early Learning Goals.
2. Standard 2: Students’ Personal Development: We prioritise personal growth alongside academic achievement.
3. Standard 3: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment: Our teaching methods are regularly reviewed and improved upon to ensure effectiveness.
4. Standard 4: The Curriculum: Our curriculum is designed to be relevant, engaging, and aligned with best practices.
5. Standard 5: Quality of School Accommodation and Resources: We invest in maintaining an inspiring learning environment.
6. Standard 6: Care and Support for Students: Our commitment to each child’s well-being is unwavering.
7. Standard 7: Partnership with Parents and Community: We actively engage parents in the educational process.
8. Standard 8: Leadership, Management, and Governance: Strong leadership ensures our vision is realised effectively.

Invest in Your Child’s Future

At St. Andrews Sathorn, we realise the importance of early childhood education in nurturing holistic development. With our personalised teaching approach, strong emphasis on parental involvement, culture of care, and a world-class curriculum, you can rest assured that your child will experience promising growth, especially during their formative years.

Schedule a Tour with Us

We invite parents who are interested in placing their children in a progressive educational environment to schedule a personalised tour of our school. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to meet our dedicated faculty, see our facilities, and gain insights into how we foster a love of learning in young children.

You can also speak with our admissions representative through this link. Join us at St. Andrews Sathorn, where we are committed to laying a strong foundation for every child’s future, preparing them to thrive both academically and socially in the years to come.

By choosing St. Andrews Sathorn, you are investing in a quality early years education that prioritises your child’s growth, development, and well-being. Together, we can empower the next generation to become confident, capable learners ready to face the world.