ENGLISH
REFERENCE

primary school

compound.
B1 Intermediate Oxford

compound. a school for children between the ages of five and eleven.

compound. an educational institution providing the first stage of compulsory education, typically for children aged 5 to 11.


SIMPLE

My son starts primary school in September.

CONTEXTUAL

The local primary school has a great reputation for its music and arts programs.

COMPLEX

Educational researchers have noted that children who attend a high-quality primary school often demonstrate better social integration in their later teenage years.

Usage

this term is standard in British English; the American equivalent is 'elementary school'.

Teaching tip

use this to teach the hierarchy of education systems; contrast with 'nursery' (younger) and 'secondary school' (older).

Pitfall

He goes to the primary school.He goes to primary school.when talking about attending school as a student, we usually omit the definite article 'the'.

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