Ensino Básico
Ensino Básico (Basic Education) comprises the first stage of compulsory education in Portugal, and is taught in Portuguese. It is designed to provide a broad, general education and is divided into three cycles, which children study from the ages 6 to 15.The Portuguese National pathway at Nobel Algarve British International School Lagoa accepts children of any nationality. The programme runs from Primary (1° Ano) to the completion of Secondary School (12° Ano). Classes are taught in Portuguese and all of the teachers are fully qualified and trained in Portuguese institutions.
Cycle 1
Cycle 1 covers 1º to 4º Ano in the Portuguese system, from the ages of 6-10. Children are taught by their class teacher most subjects at this stage. Subjects include:
- Portuguese
- Mathematics
- Environmental Studies
- Arts
- P.E.
- Music
- Computer Studies
- English
The class teacher covers Portuguese, Mathematics and Environmental Studies, while P.E., Music and Art, Computer Studies and English are taught by specialist teachers.
Cycle 2
Cycle 2 covers 5º and 6º ano in the Portuguese system, from the ages of 10-12. At this stage, students begin to be taught by specialist teachers in order to study subjects in more depth.
New subjects are introduced at this point, including:
- Portuguese
- Maths
- English
- Portuguese, History and Geography
- Science
- Art
- Music
- Design Technology
- Physical Education
- Study Methods and Techniques
- Citizenship and Development
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Science Abroad (5º ano)
- German (5º ano)
- Spanish (6º ano)
Cycle 3
Cycle 3 covers 7º to 9º ano in the Portuguese system, from the ages 12-15. Students move between specialist subject teachers during their day, with increased demand in terms of learning expectations and homework. The curriculum continues the core subjects begun in the second cycle, along with Physics/ Chemistry, ICT and a required second language (French or Spanish).
Assessment and reports
We assess progress and achievement using continuous assessment throughout the school year, and we communicate regularly with parents about how their children are doing educationally, their weaknesses and strengths, and their well-being.
In the Portuguese National Curriculum, students are assessed continuously, with formal national examinations taking place only at the end of 4º, 6º, 9º, 11º and 12º Anos. Internal assessments and classroom tests are conducted regularly to monitor students’ progress and support learning.
Reports provide relevant information concerning students’ academic progress. Each report contains attainment and effort grades. Parents are invited to meet their children’s teachers and form teachers to discuss their children's progress throughout the year, and parents also receive regular written reports. Parents can also contact teachers at any time to meet about their child’s progress.