Outline Programmes of Study
ENGLISH
Pupils will be taught to communicate effectively, speak with confidence, listen with growing attention and concentration and extend their vocabulary. They will be taught to read and write with fluency, accuracy, understanding and enjoyment. English is vital for communicating with others in school and in the wider world, and is fundamental to learning in all curriculum subjects. In studying English, pupils develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing that they will communicate with others confidently and effectively.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematical thinking is important for all members of a modern society as a habit of mind for its use in the workplace, business and finance; and for personal decision-making. Mathematics is fundamental to national prosperity in providing tools for understanding science, engineering, technology and economics. It is essential in public decision-making and for participation in the knowledge economy. Mathematics equips pupils with uniquely powerful ways to describe, analyse and change the world. Pupils will be taught to understand number and place value and develop methods of computation. They will understand and use properties of shapes and measures, develop mathematical language and learn to reason. Sorting, classifying, handling data, problem solving and developing mathematical strategies will be encouraged.
SCIENCE
"Science is an integral part of modern culture. It stretches the imagination and creativity of young people. Its challenges are quite enormous." Pupils will be taught to use and apply experimental and investigative approaches. Planning, observing, recording and evaluating will be the basis of the scientific approach. Pupils will develop their scientific vocabulary, present information through drawings, learn about life processes, living things, materials and their properties and physical processes.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes confident, creative and productive use of ICT an essential skill for life. ICT capability encompasses not only the mastery of technical skills and techniques, but also the understanding to apply these skills purposefully, safely and responsibly in learning, everyday life and employment. ICT capability is fundamental to participation and engagement in modern society. ICT can be used to find, develop, analyse and present information, as well as to model situations and solve problems.
GEOGRAPHY
The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places. It helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world. It explains where places are, how places and landscapes are formed, how people and their environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected. It builds on pupils’ own experiences to investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global. Pupils will be given opportunities to investigate the physical and human features of their surroundings. They will undertake studies that focus on geographical questions that are based on direct experience, practical activities and field-work in the locality of the school. They will also learn geographical vocabulary and have experience of map work.
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (including Food Technology)
In design and technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs. They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team. Pupils will be taught to develop their design and technology capability through combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make products.
ART
In art, craft and design, pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. In art, craft and design, pupils reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently. Pupils understanding and enjoyment of art, craft and design will be developed through activities that bring together requirements from both Investigating and Making.
PE
PE develops pupils’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school. A high-quality PE curriculum enables all pupils to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity. They develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing, they think about what they are doing, analyse the situation and make decisions. They also reflect on their own and others’ performances and find ways to improve them.