Organisation of the Curriculum for Key Stage 1

National Curriculum requirements are met through a 3 year cycle of projects, together with schemes of work which are integrated within the programme. Year group planning by teachers is in place to ensure both the full coverage of core and foundation subjects and progression from one stage to another. Tasks are clearly differentiated to meet individual needs and the children are taught, as a whole class, in groups and on a one to one basis. With the Government's introduction of Literacy Hour in Sept 1998 and the introduction of Numeracy Hour in Sept 1999, daily periods of dedicated teaching time of these subjects for all children takes place. Non core subjects: History, Geography, Art, Music, P.E., D & T are delivered mainly through a topic approach. ICT features significantly throughout the year with computer programmes and other ICT technologies integrated into all lessons. In addition ICT is taught as a set lesson to introduce new programmes and teach specific to ICT skills.

 

Core subjects

English

The Literacy hour and the new National Literacy Framework form the major part of the English curriculum. We have a very comprehensive language programme which is well resourced with a range of books covering a variety of genres. We aim to teach children to read for enjoyment and write with confidence, fluency and understanding. We encourage children to develop a legible, cursive style of handwriting. Children are given opportunities to study words and their meanings through practical activities to help them develop as accurate spellers. Children are encouraged to develop their listening and speaking skills in order to be able to communicate confidently in ways appropriate for various occasions, purposes and audiences.

We have a school library from which all children have an opportunity to borrow books. The children take home a reading book to share the pleasure of reading with their families.

Click here to access the Literacy booklet.

Click here to access the Early Years Literacy booklet.

Click here to access the Grammar booklet

Maths

Considerable importance is attached to our children achieving and understanding mathematical processes, concepts and skills. A favourable attitude is encouraged by presenting it in an interesting and enjoyable way, allowing our children to actively participate in the learning process.   We place a strong emphasis on the development of mental arithmetic and provide opportunities for children to use and apply mathematics in real life situations.  Numeracy in our school is based on the new Primary Framework and is taught daily.  Our careful ongoing assessment of your child allows them to develop their skills at their own pace.  Click on the link below for examples and information about how you can support your child’s journey to becoming numerate. 

Click here to access the Numeracy booklet

Science

In learning science all children are given the opportunity to develop their ideas and collect evidence through observations when trying to answer a question. They are also taught how to plan an investigation and obtain, present and consider evidence in a variety of practical ways. In addition to the scientific skills children are taught the basic scientific principles and knowledge associated with life processes and living things, materials and their properties and physical processes. Children learn science best through doing it so the emphasis is on practical work based within a familiar context within the classroom and outdoors.

P.E.

Pupils are taught 3 areas of physical activities: gymnastics, dance & games. Children have 45 minutes of PE and 30-45 minutes of music and movement a week.

Religious Education

Religious Education is taught in all state schools by law. At Beauclerc School we encourage children to develop an awareness of self and sensitivity towards others, to acquire a set of moral values and develop habits of self discipline and acceptable behaviour.

In all year groups a non-doctrinal approach to Christianity forms the basis of R.E. The study of some aspects of Islam and Judaism are set out in the LEA statement of Curricular Policy and Agreed Syllabus. In accordance with these policies, R.E. is allocated 36 hours a year, which excludes collective worship. The daily act of worship involves many of the practices found in Christian groups, for example songs, prayers, times of quiet reflection, stories, rituals and sharing of ideas.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from R.E. if they wish. This must be requested in writing.

Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education

P.S.H.C. & E. (Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education) is concerned with all learning experiences which give children a developing sense of their own abilities, their rights and responsibilities. Included in this is Sex & Relationships Education, which is not taught in isolation, but is embedded within the whole curriculum, the organisation and the ethos of the school. It ensures the equality of opportunity and recognises issues of gender and cultural differences. It is part of family life education, safety and health related exercise, food and nutrition, personal hygiene, community and environmental issues and the responsibilities of the individual in relation to these.

The Governing Body has policy statements on Sex & Relationships Education, P.S.H.C. & E. and R.E. and these are available in the school's reception area for parents to read.

Music

Children are introduced to a wide range of equipment and instruments, tuned and un-tuned, to enhance their use of music and drama as a means of expression. Within our music curriculum the children explore singing of all types, playing basic instruments and they begin learning simple composition and appraisal skills. Each class in the Infant school has the opportunity to have a weekly 30 minute lesson with our music specialist as well as having the opportunity to explore music in literacy, drama and art lessons.

Art

Throughout the year the children explore art and design on a weekly basis. A variety of skills such as collage, clay modelling, 3D design, drawing and many more are explored at different levels in all year groups. The children explore the use of a selection of media and tools and learn many art techniques.

Each year the school sets aside a week to study the art, music, drama, customs and culture of a different country or continent. Parents, staff and children all become actively involved in the singing, artwork and dance throughout the week.

We use ICT techniques to support our art, drama and music lessons. Filming designing and drawing using a variety of art programmes has become a big part of our art curriculum. We also explored recording our music and drama work using cameras and our new MP3 digital recorder. The children are able to investigate evaluation and appraisal skills to the full using these methods.

Design Technology

Through Design and Technology, our children are encouraged to identify, examine and solve practical problems and to make existing situations better. The children are encouraged to be inventive, using a range of materials and tools, thus developing, modifying and evaluating their ideas through a series of projects.  Our cross-curricular topic based approach provides many opportunities to include aspects of this subject throughout the course of the academic year. Examples of this include houses and homes, children design and make their own homes from junk modeling materials and add simple electrical circuits. During the clothes topic, children can design and make simple coats for Joseph.   The journeys topic lends itself to designing and building wheeled vehicles. 

Geography & History

We provide opportunities for children to learn about the geographical, historical, scientific and social aspects of the local environment, to be aware of other times and places and to recognise links between local, national and international events. Often our termly history and geography topics are reflected in our class role play areas.

ICT (Information Communication & Technology)

We have 25 multimedia computers, disc drives and printers, which are used by children throughout the Nursery and main School. Staff have access to laptop computers, digital cameras, video cameras and a scanner to use with children or for preparing material. All classes have interactive whiteboards which are used daily. All multimedia computers are now linked to the internet and children will have the opportunity to access information working with adult support. A policy and firewall filter system is in place for ensuring children are unable to access undesirable material. Parents are asked to sign a permission form before children are allowed to use the internet. Every class has access to programmable floor toys - Roamer, Pixies and Bebots. ICT is a tool to support and enhance children's learning in all areas of the curriculum.


 Suitable television and radio programmes are pre-recorded and used by staff to enhance the work done in all aspects of the curriculum.