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Our Curriculum
Foundation Stage
- Nursery – 3 to 4 years
- Reception – 4-5 years
In Foundation Stage, children take their first steps into school life. They explore, ask questions, build friendships and begin discovering the joy of learning through play and carefully guided activities.
Our approach combines the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum with our own inquiry-based learning model.
Through our DCB DUCKS values characters, Foundation Stage children learn about our values, developing their ability to be resilient when faced with changes, confidence to speak in English and respect for their classrooms and our DUCKS community. We encourage our children to be independent. By scaffolding and gentle encouragement, they learn to organise their belongings and lead their learning.
Key Stage 1
- Year 1 - 5 to 6 years
- Year 2 - 6 to 7 years
In Key Stage 1, children deepen their learning through a more structured programme.
Our curriculum is organised into Units of Investigation which brings subjects like English, maths, science, and the arts to life through hands-on learning and storytelling.
We continue to develop the whole child through a range of methods including discrete teaching, exploration, inquiry, student agency, and collaborative learning activities, which support the development of speaking, listening, and social skills.
Highlights of Key Stage 1:
- A rich English and Chinese language programme
- “Talk for Writing” to build confident readers and storytellers
- Creative inquiry learning that connects across subjects
- Opportunities for student leadership and personal growth
DUCKS Beijing is a dual language infant school that offers children learning experiences within a translanguaging environment. Even our youngest learners can make a difference. For EAL students in need of language support, our teaching staff provide personalised support.
Through initiatives like the DUCKS School Council and Playground Pals, children learn to be confident, share ideas, lead games, and take care of their school community.
DCB Values are a part of who we are. Through the Values Song and special characters, we introduce age-appropriate goals, helping children become confident, resilient, care for others, practice empathy and responsibility to understand their role in a bigger world.
Our DUCKS House System gives every student a team to belong to from their very first day.
Through friendly competitions, celebrations, and collaborative activities, students build friendships across year groups and experience the joy of shared achievements. Click here to learn about our DUCKS House System.
At DUCKS, we partner with parents through open, respectful communication. We celebrate every family’s culture and context. We engage families in their child’s learning, encourage volunteering, and supported learning at home for a collaborative approach.
Sports is one of the five essential pillars of holistic learning at Dulwich College Beijing, offering a wealth of benefits. Heart-racing events such as Sports Day are filled with fun, perseverance, and teamwork, as students show their competitive yet friendly spirit for all to see.
At DUCKS, the visual and performing arts experience is a series of mini journeys that nurture a love for the arts, develop skills applicable beyond school, foster collaboration with peers and inspiring future generations of young artists.
Learn more about our Visual and Performing Arts.
Designed to spark curiosity and exploration in our youngest learners, our school spaces embody DUCKS’ philosophy that the environment is the “third teacher.” The natural, engaging settings foster play-based inquiry and essential early learning skills, such as independence, creativity, and collaboration.
