At Baobab all pupils are encouraged and challenged to do their best. Progress is valued higher than success because education is not just about results. Baobab College believes that it is necessary to balance and integrate the academic, sporting, artistic, spiritual and service dimensions of life. It also aims to find the right balance between commitment and achievement, true discipline and care, attitude and aptitude, respect and responsibility, enjoyment and enlightenment, enrichment and improvement.
By creating a happy, friendly and stimulating environment, the College helps its primary school children to mature as individuals and form good friendships and interests. At the same time, in partnership with parents, the staff at Baobab seek to reinforce standards of behaviour which set a pattern for secondary school.
Key Stage One
Children in Reception, Year One and Year Two follow the British National Curriculum with core subjects Literacy, Numeracy and Science. History, Geography, Religious Education, P.S.H.E., Art and Design and Technology are also taught at this level. Children have specialist teachers for Physical Education, Swimming, Music, Information Technology and Nyanja.
In Reception children begin their outdoor education programme where they experience camping and independence away from home. Each year the time spent away from home is extended.
Key Stage Two
Children from the age of seven to 11 years follow a programme that is busy, enjoyable and rewarding. The College currently has two class intakes for each year group from Year Three to Year Six. Baobab follows the UK's Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) curriculum objectives for all subjects. Literacy, Numeracy and Science are core subjects whilst History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology and Religious Education and P.S.H.E. are covered at Foundation Level. Specialist teachers take Physical Education, Swimming, Information technology, Music, Library Studies and Nyanja. In Year Six, French is also taught. Short homework assignments are set daily. Prep sessions and a variety of sports and afternoon activities are available during the week.
Baobab has reading tests each term. QCA assessments and assessments from the UK-based National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) are taken each year. Children are placed within classes according to age and lessons are differentiated according to ability. Children with specific learning difficulties can be tested and are catered for within the Learning Support Department.
Parents are kept informed of their child's progress during termly consultations and end of term reports. Other appointments can be made as necessary.
The school encourages all children to take part in its Drama production in Term One. Every class also goes on an Educational Camping Trip each year to encourage class team building and an appreciation of Zambian geography.
Key Stage Three
This stage lays the building blocks for IGCSE success. The majority of lessons are taught with students in form groups, however in English and Mathematics students are streamed according to ability. The subjects currently offered in Key Stage 3 are as follows:
- Mathematics
- English
- French
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Drama
- Music
- Art
- Design and Technology (including textiles)
- Physical Education
- Information Technology
Students also receive one lesson of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) a week with their form tutor.
Extra-curricular activities
All primary students take music lessons and have the opportunity to participate in musical productions. Recent successes include a superb Key Stage 2 presentation of Mary Poppins, and the Key Stage 1 Nativity play. A traditional highlight of the Baobab calendar is the Carols by Candlelight, held each December at the Lusaka Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Baobab offers excellent sports facilities, including an eight lane 25m swimming pool and an extensive playing field which caters for all sporting activities. Participation in extra curricular activities is expected of all students and in particular each Key Stage 1 child attends a minimum of one activity per week and Key Stage 2 children a minimum of two activities per week, one of which is a physical activity.
Regarded as an essential compliment to the academic timetable, Baobab's sporting and cultural programme brings together pupils with common objectives, and fulfils the need to express unique personalities. Emphasis is always placed on integrity, good conduct and sportsmanship.
As well as the swimming pool, sports facilities at Baobab College include rugby, soccer and hockey pitches, netball, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, a cricket square and nets, and a 400m 8-lane running track.
Enquire
Please fill in the form with any comments/questions you have.