Pre-primary School

WORLD-CLASS, INNOVATIVE EDUCATION

At Hypha, we have a whole-child approach to education that supports children’s rights to play, to be in nature, to be nurtured, to pursue their own interests, and to be collaborators of their own learning.

Besides immersing our learners in nature with a robust curriculum and pedagogy, we emphasize connection to self, connection to peers, and connection to community.

We integrate practices that connect mind, body and heart, such as gratitude practices, pebble meditation, growth mindset, social-emotional learning, free self-expression through the arts, and physical movement. Additionally, we have a Sensory Room/Zen Zone and a Creative Studio, all designed with the well-being of our learners in mind. 

We educate in a nurturing, home-like, and loving environment, modelling constructive ways to relate in a community. We focus on collaborative approaches with the child to problem-solve and address the root cause of any challenging behaviour, not merely on modifying the behaviour. We use non-punitive methods of conflict resolution and honour the right of all children to feel safe. 

We believe in connecting students to the local community to provide them with rich real-world learning experiences. Our aim is to integrate local knowledge, traditions, and wisdom into our learning journeys, guided by locals. We also encourage families to be part of the learning experience, sharing their expertise and skills with our young learners.  As a community, we will regularly celebrate learning through walking galleries, family workshops and cultural events.

Curriculum

Using the English Curriculum, our learners develop a solid pre-academic foundation of letter and word recognition, number, shape and color identification, all at each child’s pace.

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to learning and, as such, we bring decades of education experience to truly individualize learning for each child. This means that we are highly qualified to accommodate children at different levels of abilities, whether your 4-year-old child is reading chapter books or if she has little interest in letters. ​The best part of it all is that learning will be through messy play, experiential learning, and nature immersion, following each learner’s interests.  ​

Most importantly, we don’t overschedule children in the pursuit of filling them with knowledge. Instead, we concentrate on quality education over quantity because people need time and space to develop in-depth knowledge and skills as well as to regulate their emotions. Children are people!

The individualized learning journeys are digitally documented to build a record of experiences, development, and achievement. Using photos and videos we weave unique learning journey stories to be shared and celebrated.

Pedagogy

Our methodology is inspired by progressive approaches to education: Forest School, Reggio Emilia, and Montessori.

​These play and inquiry-based approaches over time progress to project-based learning as the children grow. As children follow their own interests in their learning journey, the educator can scaffold and individualize the learning experience. 

Takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world. Our trained professionals create a safe, non-judgemental nurturing environment for learners to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves. 
Examples of activities during Forest School time include climbing trees, building shelters and dens, foraging, playing social games, working on arts and crafts with elements from nature, going animal spotting and bug hunting.

In this approach, educators observe children closely, listen to them carefully and give value to their own ideas to gain an understanding of the child’s interests and then build strategies to allow children to expand on those ideas. Reggio educators believe strongly in a child with unlimited potential who is eager to interact and contribute to the world. In this approach, the expressive arts are given high importance as a vehicle for learning.
In line with Reggio Emilia, we use a process art approach during art where the work is child-driven without a finished form in mind. Exploration and discovery guide this artform with originality and free thinking, not imitation, being the goal.

Montessori spaces are beautifully crafted environments designed to meet the needs of children in a specific age range. In multi-age groups, children learn at their own pace and are given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections.

Nature immersion

Our facilities consist of 7000 sqm of gardens and wooded areas to enjoy the outdoors. Our students are fortunate to be able to spend an average 3 hours a day outdoors for lunch, play, and learning.

In the pre-primary years, children engage in outdoor play, mindfulness activities, and thematic projects immersed in nature. They spend ample time exploring the natural world, fostering curiosity, creativity, and physical development.

Through hands-on experiences, pre-primary students develop an appreciation for nature and a sense of environmental responsibility. They learn about sustainability, caring for animals, and gardening.

In addition, weekly Forest School sessions provide opportunities for immersive outdoor experiences connecting children with the wonders of the forest and fostering a deep connection to the natural world.

This new school is a breath of fresh air, embracing the power of inquiry-based education and the wonders of forest school. Students actively participate in their learning, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The integration of forest school activities promotes holistic development and a deep connection with nature. It’s an innovative approach that nurtures curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning

Katherine Fenner

16 May 2023

Amazing place, kids live to be there and connect with nature and animals. Beautifully designed educational program and great teachers

Maryam Keledjian

8 August 2023

I’ve had my 3 children with Kerry Trigg as their teacher and she is a natural- seeing and celebrating each child for who they are, and nurturing aspects of them beyond the academic. I am excited for this new chapter in her career and certain that she will provide an incredible experience.

Violeta Goldaracena

16 May 2023

What an amazing experience for children to be able to have such beautiful surroundings and locations to spend their days in. I love the philosophy!

Homemade by mama

16 May 2023

This new school is a breath of fresh air, embracing the power of inquiry-based education and the wonders of forest school. Students actively participate in their learning, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The integration of forest school activities promotes holistic development and a deep connection with nature. It’s an innovative approach that nurtures curiosity, resilience, and a love for learning

Katherine Fenner

16 May 2023

Hypha is a brand new school with innovative learning approach. I visited the school and got very impressed with the school facilities, where kids get exposed to nature, and most importantly, their teaching methods, which is a mix of Montessori, Reggio Emilia and forest school. I highly recommend Hypha to anyone that is looking to give their kids an amazing learning experience.

Jacqueline Hsiao

16 May 2023

I have known Kerry through her holiday camps since the beginning of her ventures. My daughter absolutely loves Kerry’s approach and I have no doubt her connection to nature started there, in the nature-focused camps, surrounded by like-minded children and families. I strongly believe that the early years make up for the foundation of our personality and I am thrilled that there is now the possibility in the Cascais/Sintra area to weave academics and nature-based activities together in a high-standard education centre.

Solenn Alazet

16 May 2023

I have had the privilege to know and work alongside Kerry for over 15 years and my children have flourished under her guidance as their teacher and at her outdoor learning camps. She expertly combines modern day teaching practices with a holistic child-led approach, connecting children with nature and giving them the life-long learning skills they need to flourish and grow.

Kathryne Evins

21 May 2023

All three of my children have participated for many years with Kerry and her outdoor learning program. It was one of the highlights of their overall education here in Portugal. My children had an opportunity to have a connection with the outdoor world that I did not have growing up and that still informs how they travel in the world many years later. I can’t recommend enough!

Riverside Place

21 May 2023

Kerry and her team are completely dedicated to the holistic, forest school and learning through play approach. My children have loved their time at the school and with all the initiatives they have been involved with from Guincho Green too. This is a really special place run by passionate and patient practitioners. Highly recommended!

Chloe Jenden

19 July 2023

Incredible place for kids, a huge space for games, studying the world around. Excellent teachers. The child was satisfied with classes, communication, games. Thanks a lot to the team.

Agni-Elena Khmeleva

10 July 2023

Amazing new school, in a wonderful location with great teachers following a truly wonderful approach to learning. My children have taken part in Kerry´s forest school for the last five years and what an amazing experience it has been.

Carole Gershanov

16 May 2023