The Curriculum
Foundation Stage l Literacy l Speaking & Listening l Reading l Writing l Handwriting l Numeracy l Science l Design & Technologyl ICT l History l Geography l Art & Design l Music l PE l PSHE l RE
The Nursery children |
The school aims to provide a balanced and broadly based curriculum. Cross-curricular topics are carefully planned by year group teachers. Key Stage 1 follow the National Curriculum.
The children will gain experience of working individually, in groups or as a whole class depending on the activity.
The Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage includes the children from the Nursery and the Reception classes.
Its main aim is to support, foster, promote and develop each individual child in six areas of learning . The Early Years staff provide a range of different experiences and opportunities to take their learning forward and succeed.
These six areas are: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication, Language and Literacy, Problem Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative Development.
Literacy
There are three main elements to Literacy:
Speaking and Listening
This is an essential area of Literacy and one which is carried across the whole curriculum. We are following the Primary Literacy framework and a large part of the framework involves drama, speaking and listening and talk for writing.
Reading
It is essential that children enjoy reading. Your child will bring home reading books, and a reading diary. The reading diaries have space for your children to draw pictures as well as room for you to make comments about their reading. They will bring home a word book. These contain the first 300 words that your child will need to learn to read.
We now have a new library and we are working hard to make it a stimulating and exciting place to be. We have lots of new books and your child will be encouraged to bring home a book to share.
Writing
At the very start of your child’s school life, they will be encouraged to ‘have a go’ with their writing. Most children use their knowledge of letter sounds (phonics) to help them write words. We begin with children making patterns or scribbles. We then move onto teaching lower case letter formation first and then move onto capital letters.
Numeracy
In maths we want children to understand numbers, shape and measures through practical activities and games. We do this by building on their enthusiasm for problem solving.
Science
We want children to learn scientific skills through practical activities. The children handle a range of materials and talk about their properties and uses. They observe and record a range of living plants and animals during trips to other environments including a local allotment. They are given the opportunity to experiment with forces, magnetism and simple electrical circuits.
Design Technology
Children will have access to a wide variety of materials such as wool, paper, card, food and construction kits that they will be taught to use effectively in performing simple tasks. They are given the opportunity to choose the most suitable materials for the task, shown how to plan and design and then encouraged to discuss their work and assess the finished product.
ICT
Computers and technology are part of our everyday lives and it is important that the children learn to use them effectively. Each classroom has at least one computer and the children use them across all the curriculum subjects. They gain experience in handling information, communicating information and the applications of Information Technology.
All classrooms have an interactive whiteboard that is used in most lessons. This gives the children more opportunities to participate in lessons and be more active learners. We have an ICT suite that has 15 computers which are all networked to a main server. All classes have the opportunity to use this resource. We have recently installed a bank of 25 laptops that are used in the classroom. We use ‘Early Years ICT’ which is a program designed to practise early computer skills. In Key Stage 1 we follow ‘Smart Learning’ which is a package designed to further develop computer skills.
We also have two ‘Digi-Blue’ video cameras and three ‘Tuff-Cam’ video cameras. These are designed for both adults and children to use in and around the classroom, enabling the children to take photos and make short movies. Each class has a digital camera to record the children’s achievements across all the curriculum areas. Key Stage 1 children have the opportunity to attend an ICT club.
History
We aim through our curriculum planning to develop children’s understanding of the past and the differences between the past and present. The children will use different types of historical sources such as photographs and artefacts.
Geography
Children will be given the opportunity to explore their local area. This is linked totheir interests, experiences and capabilities. Their work includes classroom basedactivities and visits in and around the local environment. A study of anotherlocality in the world is used to contrast different ways of life and surroundings. Geographical questioning is encouraged as well as the correct use of geographicalterminology.
Art and Design
Children will take part in a broad and balanced programme of art, craft and design activities. They will develop skills and build on previous experience. They will learn to evaluate their own work and other artists work and develop an understanding and an appreciation of a variety of art styles from various cultures. The children will use a variety of art materials including card, paint, paper, glue, fabric and clay. With experience they will be able to select appropriate and compatible materials for their chosen activities.
Music
Mark brought his drums and taught the whole school drumming sequences. Year 2 then performed to the whole school |
We offer children a range of musical experiences to provide for continuity and progression in music. We have a good selection of percussion instruments for children to use, and we welcome friends and relatives with musical skills to come in and play to the children. Children experience communal singing, weekly. Twice a year the children take part in a musical presentation in front of an audience.
Music work is shared with other children, parents and friends during assemblies and concerts. Our aim above all is to give children the opportunity to enjoy music.
Physical Education
We aim to provide opportunities for all children to learn the basic skills needed for all aspects of Physical Education so that they gain the confidence and ability to participate in and enjoy all sporting activities as they continue through their school lives. Two hours a week is allocated to P.E. activities and these are made up of ‘Activate’, a variety of lessons; working with large and small apparatus, traditional and modern dance and gymnastics. The children also participate in team games and enjoy all sports and a fun day in the Summer Term.
PSHE and Citizenship
PSHE and Citizenship help to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives and to become informed active and responsible citizens.
At Maidstone Infant School we are involved in many activities which help deliver PSHE and Citizenship. We have a core group of charities, which we support every year. In addition there are other charities which we support in alternate years. You can always help at home by talking to them about their feelings and emotions.
Religious Education
Through RE themes the children are encouraged to help and understand the needs of others, and to care for all living things. Help the children develop knowledge and understanding of Christian and other religious beliefs, practices and writings. Develop sensitivity to and respect for the beliefs and values of others. Help them to reflect on their own values and beliefs.
During our Assemblies, we come together to share ideas, listen to stories, meet members of our community and praise children’s achievements.
