Key Stage 1 and 2 Curriculum Implementation

Our Curriculum

At BWI, we have a broad, balanced and creative curriculum that allows children to experience cross-curricular projects. The pupils are involved in their learning across themes, subjects and learning experiences. The curriculum is designed to support children's natural curiosity and stimulate their creativity.

The creative curriculum aims to provide children with:

A greater ownership of their learning experiences and the opportunity to understand what they are learning and why.
Opportunities in problem solving, talking, discussing, making decisions and enquiring in all curriculum areas and the chance to experience 'wow' moments that are engaging and memorable.
A wide range of first hand experiences offered both within school and beyond, to extend and consolidate learning, such as speakers, trips and shows as well.
The opportunity to participate in learning outside the classroom.
Time to work collaboratively in a 'busy' atmosphere with reference to visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning in lessons.
The opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a wide range of media e.g. art, drama, dance, music as end of project 'presentations' in good work assemblies.
Opportunities to learn through Forest School and have hands-on experience with nature

Literacy

Literacy is at the heart of the creative curriculum. Children are taught through themes and they use their knowledge, skills and understanding of Literacy across a wide range of different situations. In Key Stages 1 and 2 we use the primary framework for Literacy and fulfil the requirements of the English National Curriculum. The children develop their ability to listen, speak, read and write for a range of purposes, so using language to learn and to communicate imaginatively.

In the EYFS and KS1 we use Ruth Miskin's 'Read Write Inc Phonics Programme' daily. As part of learning to read children bring home library books to share at home also books from various reading schemes such as 'Oxford Reading Tree' and 'Big Cat'. In school the children, as well as reading one to one with an adult, read in small groups using books from schemes such as 'Lighthouse' and 'Read, Write Inc'.

We have a strong emphasis on vocabulary development, grammar, punctuation and spelling (for example, the use of commas and apostrophes is now taught in Key Stage 1).

Handwriting and presentation is important- is expected to be fluent, legible and speedy. Spoken English has a greater emphasis, with children being taught debating and presenting skills.

The Headteacher looks at every piece of writing from every child each month in their 'First of the Month' books to look for progression and improvement in writing and enjoys celebrating with the children who are making progress.

Maths

In Key Stages 1 and 2 we follow the White Rose Maths scheme of work to fulfil the requirements of the Maths National Curriculum. This consists of a maths session every day, including oral and mental maths, computational skills, using and applying knowledge and problem solving. The Foundation Stage curriculum also follows the White Rose scheme to provide children with all the basic skills for this later learning.

Five year-olds are expected to learn to count up to 100 (compared to 20 under the old curriculum) and learn number bonds to 20 (previously up to 10).

Simple fractions (1/4 and 1/2) are taught from Key Stage 1, and by the end of Primary School, children should be able to convert decimal fractions to simple fractions (eg. 0.375 = 3/8).

By the age of nine, children will be expected to know times tables up to 12x12 (previously 10x10 by the end of Primary School).

Calculators will not be introduced until near the end of Key Stage 2, to encourage mental arithmetic.

Religious Education

Religious Education (RE) is a core subject at BWI Primary School and is at the heart of our curriculum. We follow the The Diocese of London Board for Schools (LDBS) scheme of work.

The aims of our RE curriculum are for children:

To know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs using an approach that critically engages with biblical text.
To gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religious and worldviews appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews studied.
To engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
To explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking.

We ask our children their thoughts on their learning through pupil voice questionnaires. Year 6 this term said:

'I enjoy discussions – such as when we discussed what happens after death.'

'I like learning about stories from the bible and inspirational people who we should try to be like in our day to day living.'

(School Council - Yr 6 representatives)

Science

Our science programme follows the DfE scheme of work and we use a scheme of work called Developing Experts to help guide our teaching in this subject. The topics are carefully planned so that the science is based on sound principles and processes. The emphasis throughout the programme is on first hand experience wherever possible and the value of questioning and drawing valid conclusions.

There is a strong focus on scientific knowledge and language, rather than understanding the nature and methods of science in abstract terms. Evolution is taught in Primary Schools for the first time.

Non-core subjects like caring for animals, has been replaced by topics like the human circulatory system. We like to use our links with Bishop Ramsey to support our learning in Science. The Head of Science takes our assembly in our annual Science week and supports the development of Science planning across the school.

The Foundation Subjects

We follow the DfE schemes of work for the following foundation subjects:

Computing
Design Technology
History
Geography
Music
Art
Physical Education

Key Stage 1 and 2 Curriculum Implementation

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