Personal, Social and Health Education

In the Early Years Foundation Unit we learn to identify different emotions and how our actions and words affect others.  We learn to take turns and share in a variety of different situations.  We begin to learn to resolve problems with each other.

 

In Key Stage 1 PSHE helps to prepare children for their future and their present day-to-day life.  The themes of Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World provide core knowledge, understanding, language, skills and strategies which are taught in accordance with pupil’s readiness.  PSHE is enhanced by its integration into every school day to enable a happy, trusting environment to be maintained.

 

In Key Stage 2 we follow the SEAL and Health for life Schemes.  Key elements are making and maintaining relationships; understanding safety; ability to deal with bullying; understanding a healthy body; the importance of self-esteem and dealing with change.  This is largely taught through small discussion groups and role play in a classroom situation.

 

PSHE is further enhanced across school by a two year rolling programme of assembly themes linked to and extending the areas covered in the PHSE curriculum.

 

  

Science

In the Early Years Foundation Unit the children have the opportunity to explore a variety of scientific ideas.  We are learning to notice and talk about and describe the features of materials, plants and animals.

The children enjoy exploring and investigating things such as ice, plants, electricity and magnets.  We begin to wonder why things happen and question changes, similarities and differences in and around the school.

 

In Key Stage 1 we develop children’s curiosity and scientific skills by investigating the world we live in and by encouraging the children to ask questions.  These questions relate to the children’s world and we enable them to find answers through a mixture of hands on experience, research and teaching.  Children learn to observe, form ideas, investigate and record their findings in a variety of ways.  Topics including ourselves, habitats, plants and materials enable the children to fully engage with the subject.

 

In Key Stage 2 the topics covered are Plants, Animals including Humans, Rocks, Light, Forces and Magnets, Living Things and Habitats, States of Matter, Sound and Electricity.  The emphasis is on delivering an exciting Science curriculum which promotes children’s involvement in planning experiments and investigations making full use of our wide range of resources.  Children are encouraged to use multi-media platforms to enhance their knowledge and experience.  We try to balance independent/partner/small group activities and tasks.  Wherever possible cross curricular links are included.  Music and Sound, Data and Maths, Health and Safety and PSHE.  Wherever possible we have linked with external bodies i.e. Birmingham Science Museum, Big Bang Science shows, and opportunities in year 4 to visit the high school on a monthly basis to attend a science club in a science lab.

 

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Geography

In the Early Years Foundation Unit we learn to ask questions and make comments about the world around us. We begin to recognise when and how things change and describe the features of places that are familiar to us.  We learn to notice and talk about how places are the same and different to where we live.  We like looking at and making different types of maps and particularly enjoy walking around our immediate area. 

To extend our learning we talk about and find out how people can protect the environment and living things.

 

In Key Stage 1 geography lessons are taught to inspire the children to develop an awareness of the world around them.  We aim to give the children an understanding of place and environment by learning about our local area and comparing us with other places in the UK and the rest of the world.  Local visits and fieldwork have engaged the children’s curiosity for their area.  Cross-curricular links to maths and science enable us to deepen learning into areas such as the weather and seasonal changes.  Visitors such as Drumlove have enabled cross-curricular links to be developed with music.

 

In Key Stage 2 the topics covered are France focusing on the Camargue, Living in the Andes, Rivers, World Deserts, The Local Area and a contrasting UK locality (Bidford on Avon).  There are extensive cross-curricular opportunities and independent research tasks.  Field work includes trips to the local supermarket and Bidford on Avon.  Recent innovations have included building river systems using our outside classroom and a completely new Desert study programme.

 

 

History

In the Early Years we investigate the lives of people who are familiar to us through photographs of family and discuss significant events from our own experience.  We also compare and talk about past and present events and begin to notice similarities and differences between ourselves and others.  We look at a variety of different artefacts and age appropriate historical programs.

To extend our learning we talk about how people lived in the past and about the differences about how we live now and how it was in the past.

 

In Key Stage 1 children are inspired to develop an awareness of their place of history. Through exploring areas of interest, children are able to identify similarities and differences and use these to make connections and draw contrasts.  We encourage the children to ask questions about the lives of people who lived in the past and discover the answers through a range of artefacts and resources.  The children are able to extend their learning through experiencing life in the past through visits such as Victorian School at Hartlebury Museum.

 

In Key Stage 2 the topics covered are Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age, Roman Britain, Anglo Saxons and Vikings finishing with the Battle of Hastings.  We also do a local study focused on Bordesley Abbey.  Resources for History are excellent and the curriculum is further enhanced with theme days hosted by outside specialists where the children are immersed in the cultures involved e.g. Pre-historic days, Viking days.  We also have planned visits to both Chedworth Roman Villa and Bordesley Abbey.  Extensive cross-curricular links are made with D.T, Geography, Art, IT, English and Maths.  Children are actively encouraged to do independent research.

 

 

Religious Education

In the Early Years the children learn tolerance and acceptance of other faiths and cultures through learning about a variety of festivals.  We enjoy learning about how each faith celebrates through food, dance and special objects. For example we taste Chinese food, do a Chinese Dragon dance and make Diwali lamps.

 

In Key stage 1 we aim to stimulate children’s interest and enthusiasm for RE developing their awareness of different religions within their community and the wider world.  We also aim to develop children’s respect for and sensitivity to others, particularly those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.  Religious visitors enable a real life depth of learning to be experienced.

 

In Key stage 2 children learn about various different faiths and cultures through stories, role play and multi-media.  Children are taught to respect differences, and embrace cultural diversity.  The main faiths covered are Christianity and Hinduism although there is also a visit to the local mosque.

 

  

PE

In the Early Years we talk about how our bodies feel after exercise and how to dress and look after ourselves independently.  We talk about healthy eating and making healthy choices.  The children learn to master basic movements through dance, gymnastics and ball games.  We learn good “sportsmanship” and enjoy showing our skills to parents on sports day.

To extend our skills outside providers come into school to develop dance and football skills.

 

In Key Stage 1 we provide opportunities for pupils to become confident in a way which supports their health and fitness.  PE develops the fundamental movement skills to become increasingly competent and confident and access a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance and coordination, individually and with others.  The children’s PE is greatly enhanced by specialist sports and dance coaches.

 

In Key Stage 2 we work alongside specialist staff, who deliver a high level of expertise in dance, gym, multi skills and team games.  The children are introduced to a variety of athletics events e.g. javelin, shot put, which culminates in participation in sports day.  All our activities are backed up by our ever expanding resources, some of which the children can also use at recreational times.  There are opportunities for participation in after schools clubs, again run by specialist teachers.

 

 

Music

In the Early Years Foundation Unit the children have the opportunity to explore a variety of musical instruments.  Together we discover how to manipulate the different untuned instruments to make different sounds which can depict a movement or feeling around a variety of themes.  We also develop tapping out recall and response rhythms and different beats to a variety of music and songs.  We enjoy learning and acting act out nursery rhymes and begin to build a repertoire of simple songs. We extend our learning by manipulating and adapting our sounds and movements to represent our own thoughts and feelings.

 

In Key Stage 1 a high-quality music education engages and inspires pupils to develop a love of music and increases their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.  We use a range of instruments and our bodies to enable an understanding of tone, pitch, timbre, beat and rhythm.  Visitors such as Drumlove have enabled cross-curricular links to be developed with geography.

 

In Key Stage 2 children are encouraged to compose, play and sing in a variety of styles, and learn about the history of music.  There is an ever increasing variety of instruments to experiment with from simple claves to a laser beam operated interactive instrument as well as computer and IPad software opportunities.  There is a year 3-4 choir who perform at local community venues at Christmas and a summer concert.  There are guitar and keyboard clubs available before and after school.  The annual key stage two musical gives opportunities for solo, group and backing performances, which has lately been enhanced with the introduction of a wireless microphone system.  Small groups of instrumentalists perform weekly in celebration assembly;

Music throughout school is further enhanced by a wide variety of music, classical and modern, played in assemblies each day.  The children also learn to sing a wide variety of songs in assemblies.

Children from Reception to Year 4 can also attend the Rock Steady Music School learning to play drums, keyboard and guitar resulting in a termly concert for their parents.

 

 

Art and Design

In the Early Years Foundation Unit the children have the opportunity to use a variety of construction toys where they build from their imagination, or to fit a specific theme.  We learn to join pieces together to build and balance.  Children gradually learn to plan and design items and develop their own ideas.  We also explore malleable materials which we can mould into different sculptures to give a planned effect.

The children are given daily opportunities to be imaginative using props taking on roles and inventing their own stories.  They also take part in school productions at Christmas where parents are invited to watch.

In art we experiment with colour and representing our ideas through drawing, painting, collage and clay.  We learn to use lines to create shapes and objects.

In Key Stage 1 the children use their creativity and imagination to design, create and make products in a variety of ways.  Design and Technology is an inspiring yet practical subject where the children are encouraged to think purposefully to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills through experiencing current objects and identifying their features.  The children develop their learning by gaining different skills to apply in their designs, such as creating healthy snacks or moving pictures. The children learn from a range of inspiring artists to influence their own artwork, such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Goldsworthy.  The children have the opportunity to explore art through a variety of media and look at how different materials can be mixed together to create different effects. The children extend their learning through comparing and reflecting on the effect of the different materials they have used such as pencil, paint and fabric.

 

In Key Stage 2 design is linked heavily to cross-curricular activities e.g. Togas for Teddies - Roman History topic; Roman coin clay modelling – Roman History topic; use of electric circuits - Science topic; modelling construction techniques using clay to produce monks- History local study; extension work with Lego We Do Computing; designing and making tuned instruments – Music/Science. Photograph frames is a stand-alone topic.  The children also design and make cards for special occasions, Christmas decorations and take part in designated craft days throughout the year.

In art we encourage the use of multi-media linked to cross-curricular sessions.  Once the children have experimented with and have learnt basic techniques and skills they are able to produce outstanding art work for their age.  This has been particularly evident using water colour, and their excellent three dimensional work.  Our work has been enhanced through strong links with Geography and History through aboriginal journeys and cave paintings.  One of our exciting topics is working with stockinette which enables children to model sculpture in the styles of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.

 

 

Computing and Technology

In the Early Years Foundation Unit we have lots of opportunities for children to develop skills using technology.  The children get to use I pads, cameras, computers, karaoke machines and programmable toys.

We extend the children’s learning by encouraging them to decide which technology is the most suitable to record a particular idea.

 

In Key Stage 1 we use a range of technology from Beebots and I pads, to netbooks and PCs.  It is integrated across the whole curriculum and aims to develop the children’s computing skills.  Cross-curricular links to other subjects are things such as creating a book using Book Creator in English or creating a science PowerPoint.  We have a big focus on e-safety and aim to promote a constant awareness of how to stay safe when using technology.

 

In Key Stage 2 the areas covered are Email, Text, Multi-media, programming, de-bugging, information handling, networks and e-safety.  Cross-curricular links are made across all subjects using portable netbooks and I pads as well as a dedicated I.T suite.  Recently introduced programs such as Scratch and Lego We-Do, have broadened the curriculum.  We have an emphasis on word processing skills to write for many different audiences, subjects and purposes.

 

Year 4 pupils are also trained to operate the computer and interactive screen in the hall for assemblies throughout the week.  This includes downloaded music videos, song words, PowerPoints and Youtube clips.

 

 

French

KS2

French is taught in year groups using two recommended schemes. This is supplemented by a variety of audio books, audio visual discs, songs and games.  The emphasis is on acquiring basic vocabulary e.g. numbers, colours, greetings etc. and using this in dialogue and role play situations.  Cross-curricular activities include the Geography of France and major landmarks in Paris.

 

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Phonics

Children in EYFS and KS1 learn their phonics through the Letters and Sounds programme on a daily basis.  At the end of Y1 they take the National phonics test and parents will be informed of the outcome.  If they do not pass the threshold they will retake the test in Y2.  For children still not passing the threshold they will continue with phonics interventions in KS2 (Y3 and Y4).