Key Stage 1 and 2 Curriculum Implementation

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.

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 (2014.) 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'.

Since 2014 there has been stronger emphasis on vocabulary development, grammar, punctuation and spelling (for example, the use of commas and apostrophes is now taught in Key Stage 1).

Handwriting - not previously assessed under the national curriculum - is expected to be fluent, legible and speedy. Spoken English has a greater emphasis, with children being taught debating and presenting skills

Maths

Again in Key Stages 1 and 2 we follow the primary framework for Maths and fulfil the requirements of the Maths National Curriculum (2014). 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 provides children with all the basic skills for this later learning.

Since 2014, 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.

Science

Our science programme follows the DfE scheme of work. 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.

Since 2014, there has been 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.

The Foundation Subjects

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

Computing
Design Technology
History
Geography
Music
Art
Physical Education

PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and SRE (Sex and Relationships Education) lessons are an important part of our curriculum.

Design and technology:

Afforded greater importance under the new curriculum, setting children on the path to becoming the designers and engineers of the future.

More sophisticated use of design equipment such as electronics and robotics.

In Key Stage 2, children learn about how key events and individuals in design and technology have shaped the world.

Computing:

Computing replaces Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with a greater focus on programming rather than operating programs.

From age five, children learn how to write and test simple programs, and to organise, store and retrieve data.

From seven, they are taught to understand computer networks, including the internet.

Internet safety - previously taught from 11-16 - is taught in Primary Schools.

Languages:

Previously not statutory, a modern foreign language or ancient language (Latin or Greek) will be mandatory in Key Stage 2.

Children will be expected to master basic grammar and accurate pronunciation and to converse, present, read and write in the language.

Key Stage 1 and 2 Curriculum Implementation

Curriculum Implementation

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