Keystage 1 Educational Programme

Age Range: 4 to 7
Year Group: Reception, 1 and 2

A more formal structure ensures that children develop their potential in all areas of the National Curriculum, but especially in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. The children are taught mainly by the class teacher, making use of cross-curricular topics embracing not only the core subjects but also History, Geography, PE, Art and Design, Information Technology, Music, Drama and Religious Education. 

Facilities for learning

The Pre-Nursery, Foundation Stage and Key Stage One classes occupy a purpose built early years facility on ul. Dabrowskiego. The building has been developed to include a large hall suitable for Physical Education, music activities, plays, concerts and school assemblies. There is also a library and computer suite and separate rooms for Music and for English as an Additional Language.

The classrooms are light and spacious and help create an intellectually stimulating environment. Each class is fully resourced with suitable and appropriate equipment, toys and games for each year group in the early years.

The school building is surrounded by a large playground, garden and wooded area. This helps to provide a secure and stimulating environment, which younger children enjoy and feel safe to play in.

The Programme Of Study

The first years of schooling are extremely important in every child's development. Children develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially throughout this time. Starting school can be a daunting and difficult experience for any child, and it is therefore crucial that children be able to settle into the school environment as calmly, smoothly and comfortably as possible. For some children it is harder than for others, and it is essential that all children see the environment as being a warm, welcoming and happy place. Children should be given the best possible start to their education, and they therefore need to have established solid foundations on which they can build and continue to develop throughout their school life.

We provide children with a planned, co-coordinated programme based on the English National Curriculum. At the Dabrowskiego site we have children in the Early Years age range of the Pre-Nursery and Foundation Stage classes, together with Year One from the Key Stage One age range.

The Foundation Stage is a programme designed to develop key learning skills and to allow children to learn to work together with other children. This is achieved by planning activities which enable each child to reach Early Learning Goals at the end of the Foundation Stage.

One of the most important aims of the Foundation Stage is to prepare the child for Key Stage One. As every child develops at their own pace, the Foundation Stage encourages them to reach their full potential as well as giving them the intellectual, physical, social and emotional skills needed at Key Stage One.

In the first year of the Foundation Stage, the Nursery age group, the programme focuses on each child's intellectual and social skills. Encouragement is given for the child to develop at their own pace, and much of the focus is on the individual needs and interests of the child.

In the second year of the Foundation Stage, the Reception age group, the programme becomes more structured. Although still focusing on the development of each child's intellectual and social skills, greater emphasis is placed on language and number work. Children are introduced for the first time to formal Literacy and Numeracy sessions through a whole class approach.

A more formal structure is found in Key Stage One, with children developing their potential in all areas of the National Curriculum. The Key Stage One Curriculum encourages and stimulates the best possible progress and highest attainment for all children. It builds on their strengths, experiences and interests, developing their own confidence to work not only with other children but also independently. The daily routine consists of subject-orientated work, with strong focus on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. Children undertake structured Literacy and Numeracy sessions throughout the week, encouraging group and independent study. Most subjects are taught by the class teacher through cross-curricular topics, embracing not only the core subjects, but also History, Geography, Physical Education, Art and Design, Information Technology, Music, Drama, PSHE, Citizenship and Religious Education.

Homework

Although Homework is not set until Year 3, the children are encouraged to bring from home objects of interest, related to the topic, as well as independent art or crafts and written language and number work.

Library Books

At this early age it is important that children develop a love of books, and the school supports this by providing reading books and folders from the beginning of the Reception age group. Children are encouraged to read at home with their parents, as well as by themselves, and in turn they are also heard by their class teacher. Advice is given for each child to develope their reading skills, and specific books are sent home according to their reading level. Reading is further encouraged through the Literacy sessions, through story telling by the class teacher and through the use of the class and school Library.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The Dabrowskiego site provides many after school activities for children in the Reception age group and above. The range is always varied and extensive and can include roller-blading, ball games, construction club, art club, face-painting, story-telling, computer club and puppet story-telling club. Children are encouraged to take part in one weekly activity after school and select a different activity in each term.