The art, music and physical education syllabi cover the five years of primary cycle. These subjects are taught: 

• 300 minutes per week in P1/P2 (three subjects combined)
• 180 minutes per week in P3/P4/P5 (three subjects combined)

Below you will find a brief introduction of each subject and the link to their official European school’s syllabi. 

Physical education 

The Physical Education programme (PE) is built on a holistic view of children which recognises the child’s level of physical, mental and social maturity. It aims to develop understanding of how physical activities affect health in a positive way and to emphasise the importance of suitable equipment and personal hygiene routines. Through PE, children should create a life-long interest in being physically active. PE should motivate and encourage children to do sport in their spare time. 

PE offers a broad range of possibilities for children to try and practise different activities. The development of social skills (like fair play, cooperation, tolerance, respect etc.) and cognitive skills (e.g. tactic, rules, body control, health and security aspects) are covered and given importance in PE teaching. 

PE is offered during PE-lessons in the gym, swimming pool and/or in outdoor areas. The PE-teacher is the class teacher or a specialist teacher. 

Art education 

The objective of Art education in the European Schools is to develop expression: expression of feelings and emotions in the discovery of art, but also expression and practice in the use of different artistic media. Art education promotes free expression, taking initiative and the role of the individual in creativity; in his/her private or public life. 

The arts give opportunity for the discovery of creative ideas, feelings and experiences in music, gestures and movements. This discovery enriches the child and allows him/her to question his/her own interpretations and representations of the world, to allow him/her to move away from established frameworks; building cultural and aesthetic references. Arts education in European Schools considers art to be a powerful social and cultural tool that promotes trade and unites people in collective projects or artistic intercultural projects. The arts contribute to the overall development of the child in four areas: psychological, sociocultural, physical and cognitive. 

Music 

The central aim is to maintain and develop children’s enjoyment of music. Children enter primary school having had a range of enjoyable musical experiences. They should leave for secondary with their enjoyment undiminished. Indeed, it should be deepened as their musical knowledge, skills and understanding develop. 

The progamme for music is divided into three domains: 

• making music and performing
• listening and responding 
• composing