Our school mission statement emphasises a child-centred education, which places the students firmly in the centre of all our decision-making and planning. In our Early Years classes, learning is carefully planned to challenge each child’s imagination, skills and thinking. Often, a range of choices is provided to stimulate and feed enquiring minds. Through purposeful play, the children learn independence and self-awareness whilst growing emotionally, socially, physically and cognitively.

Your child will have time to concentrate, learn to listen and be encouraged and supported to extend their language acquisition. They will develop an understanding of respect for themselves and others. We look to ensure that each child has fun and builds friendships with their peers. Through all these experiences, your child will learn to form the correct attitudes that will be the basis to their schooling and to life.

The teachers and assistants are flexible and sensitive in their teaching, tailoring the learning to meet each student’s needs and stage of development. 

Early Reading at the British School of Gran Canaria

At the British School of Gran Canaria, early reading is carefully nurtured from a very young age, helping children develop confidence, enjoyment and strong foundations for future learning. Our approach is clear, structured and progressive, while remaining warm, playful and developmentally appropriate. From Nursery through to Year 2, children are guided step by step as they grow from listening to sounds, to reading fluently and with understanding.

In Nursery, early reading begins through play. Children learn to listen carefully to the world around them, exploring sounds through music, movement, stories, songs and imaginative play. They clap syllables, enjoy rhymes, copy rhythms, and begin to notice the sounds at the start of words. These activities strengthen listening, speaking and attention skills and help children understand that words are made up of sounds, all in a natural and enjoyable way. This playful start builds confidence and prepares children for reading without pressure or formal expectations.

In Reception, children begin learning how sounds link to letters using our phonics programme, Read Write Inc. They are taught how to blend sounds together to read words and how to break words into sounds to help with spelling. Lessons are short, lively and interactive, using stories, pictures and actions to keep learning engaging. Children read books that closely match what they have been taught, helping them feel successful and motivated. Play continues to be an important part of the day, with phonics skills reinforced through games, storytelling and practical activities.

As children move into Year 1 and Year 2, they build on this strong foundation by learning more complex sounds, reading longer words and developing fluency. They are supported to read with expression and understanding, not just accuracy. By the end of Year 2, children are confident readers who can tackle unfamiliar words and enjoy a wide range of texts. Throughout every stage, our structured approach works hand in hand with play-based learning, ensuring that children develop a genuine love of reading alongside the skills they need to succeed.