Primary School - Ages 6 to 10

Give Your Child the Gift of Bilingual Learning and Active Learning 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.

We set up experienced teaching duos that are guides and planners to make it all 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.

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you will make. I look forward to meeting you and answer any questions that you have!

WHY BUTTERFLIES SCHOOL

  • Dual Language Immersion with Portuguese Official Curriculum
  • Teaching Duos – enhanced learning approach
  • Active Learning approach
  • Unique Pedagogy
  • Enriched Curriculum
  • Modern, Inspiring Facilities
  • Nurturing Environment
  • Strong Parent Partnerships
  • Inclusive Community

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

Every child is guided to develop self-confidence, empathy, courage and an understanding of their responsibilities to each other and the world. We explore ideas like integrity, honesty and taking calculated risks, and build their curiosity and courage by learning outside the classroom at every opportunity.

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

Alfie Kohn – Educational Reformer

ACTIVE LEARNING AND LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

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.

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.

"By blending the strengths of leading pedagogies, we offer our primary students a truly unique educational experience, one that fosters a deep love of learning, strong foundational skills, and the confidence to soar."

Teresa de Gruyter

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

The enriched curriculum helps our teaching duos embrace a balanced foundation of motor development, cognitive stimulation, social-emotional learning, and the cultivation of creativity. It empowers our students to become independent thinkers and problem-solvers.

Joana Querido – Head of Teaching and Learning

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.

INNOVATIVE 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.

“Environment is the third teacher” Maria Montessori

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

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.