Upper Primary student leading discussions

Upper Primary Programme

Welcome to Upper Primary

It is with pride that I welcome you to ELA Basel Primary School. Over the past seventeen years I have been part of the dedicated team that has led our school on the exciting journey of growth from a small English-speaking childcare centre into a thriving and successful international primary school.

We provide a rich and stimulating environment where our staff and students value mutual respect and team-spirit. Our ELA Basel Citizen Values strive to create principled, collaborative, resilient, independent thinkers, risk takers and effective communicators. An ELA Basel primary education is characterised by a well-rounded combination of academic rigour, opportunities for enrichment, sport, music and the performing arts with a focus on the children's individual growth and well-being as our top priority.

Primary starts with Reception as the children transition from our Early Years Pre-school at our Gartenstrasse site. Year 2 sees the move to Upper Primary at our St. Alban-Vorstadt site.

Upon graduation from ELA Basel at the end of Year 7, children transition to a variety of schools, both locally and farther afield. We make it a priority to support families during the transition process by making bespoke connections with secondary schools of choice and ensuring that transition discussions are detailed and provide an accurate profile of the student. Graduating children may wish to attend international, private or public education systems for secondary schooling.

You will be very welcome to come for a personal tour of one of our beautiful locations at Gartenstrasse and St. Alban-Vorstadt to meet our dedicated staff and happy and accomplished children.

Sally Hirsch – Director and Head of Primary

What our families say

At an english kita in switzerland, a baby is cared for by two faculty

"ELA Basel is like a 'home away from home' for my two children in Early Years. It makes all the difference to our family knowing how much care and attention each child receives in a safe, secure and nurturing setting"

Early Years Family

A young girl colors in a classroom at a private english school in switzerland

"I would like to repeat again that the teachers did an amazing job during the school closure, the best they could in the situation. Both my kids have been able to go through this with a smile. Thank you!"

Year 4 Parent

Three children sit on the floor of a classroom at a english independent school in switzerland reading

"I’m an Early Years parent and think that ELA Basel’s level of communication and responsiveness has been outstanding. I appreciate the helpfulness of the home lesson plans, but nothing can replace the social and intellectual stimulation my child is getting at ELA Basel. Thank you to all of the staff for their continued support during the lockdown."

Early Years Parent

Two kids laugh over an ipad in a classroom at a english language school near basel land

"I’m impressed by how quickly ELA Basel staff worked to immediately continue learning during these difficult times of the pandemic. We have friends back home in the US whose children received no online/home learning for over a month while the schools navigated how to continue. I’m very grateful for the school and teachers hard, dedicated work to continue teaching my children. Thank you!"

Year 3 Parent

A boy participates in an art project at a lower primary programme in basel switzerland

"My children truly loved their time at ELA Basel which is a truly caring school. We are very grateful that we found your school and our children had the opportunity to learn at ELA Basel."

Year 5 Family

Children color in a classroom at an english international school in basel

"We've had nothing but a pleasureable experience during our time at ELA Basel. It's a wonderful school with excellent leadership. Not to mention the teachers were of the highest quality with small class sizes. ELA Basel is a special place that is doing wonderful things. Keep it up!"

Year 7 family

Primary child outside on a wooden playgroun apparatus

"Dear ELA Basel Team - You did a fantastic job in these difficult times. Thank you for taking care of every minute detail and providing a safe environment for our kids!"

Year 1 Family