School Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage is the period of education from birth to five years. In the Reception Year, children work towards the Early Learning Goals. There is a strong emphasis on play, both child-initiated and planned. The curriculum is delivered through a combination of planned whole class activities; adult-led activities and child-initiated activities.
The EYFS Curriculum covers the following six areas of learning:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Mathematical development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
The curriculum delivered during this vital part of your child’s early education provides the foundation upon which all other learning is based.
Overall, we aim to ensure that your child enjoys coming to school, is enthusiastic about learning, and has the confidence to ask questions and to find out about the world around them.
National Curriculum
As in all schools in England, the National Curriculum forms the basis of learning. It sets out the knowledge, skills and understanding required, as well as the standards and attainment in all of the subjects. It is divided into blocks of learning, known as key stages:
- Years 1 and 2 are known as Key Stage 1
- Years 3 to 6 are known as Key Stage 2
The National Curriculum encompasses the following subjects:
* denotes a non-statutory programme of study
** denotes a statutory subject with a non-statutory programme of study
A modern foreign language is only taught in Key Stage 2 and at our school, the language taught is French.
Parents do have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and Acts of Worship.
The Creative Curriculum
Though the subjects are all listed separately we strive to deliver a creative curriculum which stimulates interest, engagement and seeks to create links between the different subject areas.
ICT
The children learn specific IT skills and use ICT to enhance learning in all other curriculum areas. The school has invested heavily in ICT over the last year to ensure that maximum use is made of new technology to enhance learning.
We use the County provided internet filtering system so that children can only access appropriate websites. Parents and children are required to sign an ICT code of conduct.
Enrichment Activities
During the school year children participate in a wide variety of enrichment activities and experiences to develop their skills in a wide range of contexts. These include participation in musical concerts, performances, termly themed weeks (e.g. Active Week and Maths Week), visits by theatre companies, visits by local artists, team-building activities, extended visits and supporting charitable events.
Assessment
Teacher assessment takes place on an informal basis all the time. Your child’s teacher will be observing your child’s progress and using this to determine their work and plan future teaching. In Reception these form part of the Foundation Stage profile for your child.
To complement teacher assessment we have a programme of formal assessments which happen throughout the year from Year 1 onwards.
Towards the end of the academic year, all children in Years 2 and 6 undertake statutory assessments in Reading, Writing and Maths. Optional SATs (Standard Assessment Tasks) are also undertaken in these subjects from Years 3 to 5. These tests and tasks assess the level your child has attained in each subject.
Spelling and Reading Tests are used from Year 1 onwards to complement the information gained from the statutory assessments and SATs.
Verbal Reasoning Tests are given in Years 3 to 5.
In Year 6, pupils of parents who wish their children to have the opportunity to attend a Grammar School, will undertake the 11+ test.
All test results are communicated to parents annually.