Key Stage 1 (KS1)
Intent
In Key Stage 1 we offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced and which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points, as they progress through the Key Stage. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum in addition to other experiences and opportunities which enhance the learning of all pupils. The aim is for the pupils to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education. Our experiential curriculum, whilst highly aspirational, considers the development of the whole child. Our highly inclusive approach ensures that every child can exceed their potential and respond to tasks in their own individual way. The school’s values of ‘Dream’, ‘Achieve’, ‘Respect’ and ‘Excel’ underpin all aspects of the curriculum. In addition to this we encourage children to continue their learning at home through the use of home learning tasks.
Implementation
The Key Stage 1 curriculum is organised so that Maths and English (through topic based learning) usually take place in the mornings with the afternoons being dedicated to the wider curriculum. In addition to this every child has a daily phonics session. These sessions are grouped according to each child’s current phonetic development. This is further developed through guided reading sessions focusing on the skills of phonics application, comprehension and an overall enjoyment of reading.
Each year group covers a minimum of six topics across the year and these are directly generated by the children’s interests. The National Curriculum objectives are then plotted into each topic to ensure a broad and balanced coverage. Each topic usually has a geography or history focus, teamed with Art and DT objectives, although some topic may not incorporate these each time. Art, DT and Science are taught through topics as appropriate, with staff ensuring coverage of all objectives across the year. PE, RE and PSHE are taught as discrete sessions, though links can often be made. Individual staff members have the freedom to approach an objective in their own style to meet the needs of the individual class.
Subject leaders play a key role in the direction of the curriculum, as they continually develop their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding through network groups, so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school.
Theme weeks, whole school activities and opportunities within and outside school all enrich and develop the children’s learning. After school clubs and events extend these opportunities further.
Pupils have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through school-based events, assemblies, performances and competitions.
