Year 1 & 2 (Kindergarten & Grade 1)
The primary school is divided into two Key Stages. Key Stage 1 includes Year 1 and 2 (American grades Kindergarten and Grade 1) and Key Stage 2 includes Years 3, 4 and 5 (American grades 2, 3 and 4). The core curriculum consists of English, Mathematics, Science, Design and technology, Information and communication technology, History, Geography, Art and design, Music, Physical Education, Citizenship, and Foreign languages.
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Science
- Design Technology
- ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
- History
- Geography
- Art and Design
- Music
- Physical Education
- PACE (Personal and Citizenship Education)
- Foreign Language
Topic Based Learning
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the UK National Curriculum provide the framework for educating students in Years 1 to 6 (ages 5 to 11), equivalent to American grades Kindergarten through Grade 5. The IPC is a cross-curricular teaching program integrating History, Geography, Science, Art, Information Communication Technology and Design Technology into thematic units and provides links to National Curriculum guidelines for Literacy, Numeracy, Music and Physical Education.
Children spend three to six weeks on units of work which are based around interdisciplinary themes of real interest to children so they are engaged and enthusiastic. This extended period of study allows students to approach topics from multiple perspectives and to make connections between subjects. Focusing on three standards: academic, personal development and international mindedness, the IPC provides a creative system that prepares children, wherever they may live in the future, for the world of tomorrow.
Fundamental to the topic based approach to learning is a clear progression in skill development. This even applies to the personal learning goals which emphasize adaptability, resilience, thoughtfulness, cooperation and respect and which, as a result of progressive skill development, help children to become able, confident and inspired learners. Internationalism is embedded into every topic based unit to ensure our children grow up with a very clear global understanding.
Literacy
During Key Stage 1 your child will learn to speak confidently and listen carefully to what others have to say so that he/she can remember main points. He/she will begin to read narrative and nonfiction texts while also learning to write independently with correct spelling and punctuation. Teachers will also encourage your child to use language to explore his/her experiences and imaginary worlds when working in role play and drama activities.
Numeracy
During Key Stage 1 your child will develop knowledge and understanding of mathematics through practical activity, exploration and discussion. He/she will learn to count, read, write and order numbers to 100 and beyond. Our teachers will aide your child in developing a range of mental calculation skills, an understanding of space and shapes, and the confidence to use mathematical language to explain their reasoning when solving a problem.
Science
During Key Stage 1 your child will experience four sections: scientific enquiry, life processes and living things, materials and their properties, and physical processes. He/she will observe and ask questions about living things, materials and phenomena while they begin to work with other pupils to collect evidence to answer simple scientific ideas. Teachers will guide your child in evaluating evidence and tests and encourage the use of reference materials to find out more about scientific ideas.
Design and Technology
During Key Stage 1 your child will learn how to think imaginatively and talk about what they like and dislike when designing and building. He/she will build on their early childhood experiences of investigating objects around them. Your child will explore how familiar things work and talk about, draw and model his/her ideas. Use of computers may be a part of the design and assembly.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
During Key Stage 1 your child will explore ICT and learn to use it confidently and with purpose to achieve specific outcomes. He/she will start to use ICT to develop their ideas and record their creative work and will also become familiar with hardware and software.
History
During Key Stage 1 your child will learn about people’s lives and lifestyles, as well as significant men, women, children and events from recent and more distant past. He/she will listen and respond to stories and use sources of information to help them ask and answer questions.
Geography
During Key Stage 1 your child will investigate the local area and contrasting areas in the United States, United Kingdom and abroad, as well as examine the differences in environment and demographics. He/she will begin to learn about the wider world and carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. In doing this your child will ask geographical questions about people, places and environments and use geographical skills and resources such as maps and photographs.
Art and Design
During Key Stage 1 your child will develop his/her creativity and imagination by exploring the visual, tactile and sensory qualities of materials and processes. He/she will learn about the role of art, craft and design in his/her environment, and begin to understand the use of color, shape, space, pattern and texture to represent ideas and feelings.
Music
During Key Stage 1 your child will listen and respond physically to a wide range of music. Students will play musical instruments and sing a variety of songs from memory, in addition to adding accompaniments and creating short compositions with increasing confidence, imagination and control. Your child will also explore and enjoy how sounds and silence can create different moods and effects.
Physical Education
During Key Stage 1 your child will build on their natural enthusiasm for movement, using it to explore and learn about the world. Using these new skills in different ways your child will be able to link actions, phrases and sequences of movements. He/she will enjoy communicating, collaborating and competing with each other, and in the process develop an understanding of how to succeed in different activities and how to evaluate and recognize his/her own success.
PACE (Personal and Citizenship Education)/ SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning)
All National Curriculum subjects provide opportunities to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Explicit opportunities to promote pupil’s development in these areas are provided in a framework for personal, social and health education (PACE). A significant contribution is also made to areas by the school’s ethos, relationships and other curriculum activities.
Foreign Languages: French and Spanish
At the Key Stage 1 level your child will experience the language of French, when they enter Year 2 he/she will learn French and Spanish, and continue with both languages through the primary school. Learning another language raises awareness of the multi-lingual and multi-cultural world and introduces an international dimension to learning, giving your child an insight into his/her own culture and those of others. A foreign language provides your child with a medium for cross curricular links and the reinforcement of knowledge and skills in other subjects. All foreign language lessons are taught by specialists.*
*Other subjects taught by specialists in the Key Stage 1 level include Music (Year 1 & 2) and Physical Education (Year 2).