Primary

Give Your Child the Gift of Bilingual Learning and Play at Butterflies Primary School in Sintra

Welcome from headmistress

As School Director, I passionately believe in the uniqueness and power of every student

At Butterflies, we understand that your child is unique and full of potential. We nurture their natural curiosity, encourage them to explore their passions, and provide a supportive environment where they can thrive.

Our engaging, active learning approach and bilingual enriched curriculum empower our students to become confident and compassionate learners, ready to embrace the world with open hearts and minds. And be the best of themselves. And we set up experienced teaching duos that are guides and planners to make it happen.

We warmly welcome both Portuguese and international students to our primary school. And the best way to get to know us is to come and visit. The teachers and pupils of Butterflies are the best proof of everything contained in these pages.

I look forward to meeting you!

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WHY BUTTERFLIES SCHOOL

Dual Language Immersion with Portuguese Official Curriculum

Teaching Duos – enhanced learning approach

Modern, Inspiring Facilities

Active Learning approach

Nurturing Environment

Strong Parent Partnerships

Inclusive Community

Innovative Pedagogy

Enriched Curriculum

Innovative AND DESIGNED SPACES

Our beautiful spaces have
been designed by architects
to be more than functional:
they inspire both pupils
and teachers.

Our classroom environments
are set up so that children are able to move between dedicated areas for reading, writing, art, construction, imaginative play, science, and mathematics.

For our students, our teaching duos embrace a balanced foundation of motor development, cognitive stimulation, social-emotional learning, and the cultivation of creativity, empowering them to become independent thinkers and problem-solvers.

Dual LANGUAGE IMMERSION

Co Teaching Duos – Power of collaboration

At Butterflies, Your child will learn in a truly bilingual environment, with both English and Portuguese teachers present in all lessons. This approach builds a strong foundation for future academic success and helps them become proficient in both languages.

We pride ourselves on our exceptional teaching teams, carefully pairing experienced and passionate teacher and co-teacher in each class to provide individualised support and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Character Education

During the primary years, every child develops their logical and critical thinking skills, becomes willing to develop stronger and more lasting connections, and experiences a broader range of emotions. We foster self-awareness, creativity, and initiative through active learning and calculated risk-taking, building your child’s independence and bravery.

If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings. And grow.

Active learning

Allows children to explore the world, develop essential skills, and build confidence through hands-on activities and exploration. It fosters creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction, making learning an engaging experience. At Butterflies, we embrace this approach to nurture curious, confident, and capable learners.

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“Environment is the third teacher” Maria Montessori

Behind educators and families, physical spaces hold the potential to influence what and how children learn

UNIQUE PEDAGOGY

At Butterflies, we have opted for an educational practice that is based on the diversity obtained from participatory and alternative pedagogies in which the child is both the subject and the agent of their own educational process.

Drawing Inspiration from Leading Pedagogies

We emphasize active learning, like Montessori, experiential learning that connects concrete experiences to abstract concepts, to High Scope through its unique Plan-Do-Review process, and incorporate the New Nordic focus on nature through outdoor learning.

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"Teaching is not telling. It is, instead, a process of supporting children at their current developmental level and helping them build upon their existing knowledge and abilities."
The HighScope Educational Approach

Enriched Curriculum

Portuguese National official Curriculum

Project Labs (multidisciplinary projects)

Music

Arts

Dance

Gardening

Cooking

PROJECT LABS

Unlock new talents and passions in our multidisciplinary project labs. Students can connect with nature in Outdoor Explorations, craft unique creations in Handcrafting, Art & design  and explore digital through Creative Computing. Our labs span 4-6 weeks, allowing for deep dives into each chosen theme. A variety of new labs are offered each term

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MODERN FACILITIES

Our 3,000 m² building offers dynamic learning spaces designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and well-being. These spaces include dedicated classrooms, a library, a canteen offering nutritious meals, and inviting indoor and outdoor play areas.

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JOIN US AT AN OPEN MORNING

The best way to experience what life is like at Butterflies is to join us at an Open Morning, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place, and to answer any questions you have about life here.

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