The core curriculum in Years 1 and 2 will follow the National Curriculum. The core subjects of English, Maths and Science will use the same schemes as those used in the Prep School, thus providing continuity and ensuring a smooth transition at the age of 7.
Our work is based on the National Literacy Strategy. This focuses on Word Level Work (Spellings, Phonics, Vocabulary), Sentence Level Work (Basic Grammar and Punctuation) and Text Level Work (Stories, Poetry, Reading). We use the Read, Write, Inc scheme from Reception for phonics and writing and in Year 2 we use the Read, Write, Inc spelling and comprehension scheme.
Through this work, the children will have experiences of imaginative and factual writing, reading for a variety of purposes, handwriting practice, speaking and listening, role-play and drama. The school uses a range of reading schemes to ensure breadth and variety. We also have a wide selection of ‘real books’ from which the children can select for themselves.
Children gain a secure foundation of knowledge, skills, concepts and the language of Mathematics. They learn to apply their skills with confidence, accuracy and understanding in real life problems and within Mathematics itself.
In order to achieve this, lessons are carefully planned to incorporate both whole class and differentiated group work as appropriate. Alongside direct teaching there is a high level of interactive oral and practical tasks.
Science work will cover three main areas: life processes and living things, materials and their properties, and physical processes. Specific topics covered will include ‘ourselves’, plants and animals, materials and electricity. Science will be taught using a practical, hands-on approach that will benefit further from the school’s excellent range of resources.
Children will explore, develop and evaluate their ideas in art and construction work through a variety of media including clay, papercraft, paint, fabric and other materials. They will also be encouraged to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of their environment and of great artists
Children will develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of events and people in the past and compare them with their own lives. History will be topic-based and children will have the chance to go on visits to see, touch and experience aspects of the subject at first hand.
The children will develop their skills of enquiry and gain knowledge of mapping, places and the environment. Where possible, their work in this area will be linked to practical activities with clear outcomes.
Although we are a Christian school, we also study Judaism and we acknowledge many of the festivals found in other religions.
The children will have one French lesson per week in which conversational French (with an emphasis on fun) will be introduced by a specialist teacher.
Children will develop their keyboard skills and explore a variety of programs in the ICT suite with the benefit of a specialist teacher. In addition, the classrooms will each have a computer that will be used to support topic-based work.
There will be ample opportunity for children to sing and make music, both in cross-curricular work and in weekly lessons with a specialist teacher. There will be opportunities in the school year for musical events to take place, to which of course parents will be invited.
The PE programme includes gymnastics, dance, games and swimming and will be taught by a PE specialist. The children will have one lesson of swimming, PE and games each week, in which they will learn basic skills, safety, self-expression and teamwork.
Subject |
Michaelmas |
Lent |
Summer |
Science |
Ourselves |
Materials |
Growing Plants |
History |
What were homes like in the past? |
How our toys are different from those in the past |
At the seaside |
Geography |
Around Our School: The Local Area |
Making the Area safe |
At the seaside |
Art |
Self-Portrait |
Investigating Materials |
Sculpture |
DT |
Eat More Fruit and Vegetables |
Structures: Hat Designs |
Mechanisms: Moving Pictures |
RE |
Belonging Celebration -Christmas |
Belonging |
Faith |
Subject |
Michaelmas |
Lent |
Summer |
Science |
Health and Growth |
Electricity |
Living Processes |
History |
|
Great Fire of London |
Florence Nightingale |
Geography |
Around the World |
|
The Crimean War |
Art |
Aboriginal Art |
Buildings |
The Living World |
DT |
Joseph’s Coat - Pattern & Textiles |
Moving Vehicles |
Vehicles and Winding Mechanisms |
RE |
The Stories of Jesus |
Places of Worship |
Judaism |
04 February 2012