Curriculum Subjects
Priority is given to the core subjects of Maths, English and Science. In nursery and reception classes the children follow the curriculum based on the foundation stage. The children are expected to acquire skills and knowledge to enable them to develop into self motivated learners. In delivering our curriculum, we aim to develop the whole child emotionally, socially and academically.
Careful records are kept of your child’s progress and you are kept fully informed through termly targets, parents evenings and annual reporting. All pupils develop the practice of home-school reading through taking home books on a regular basis to share and read with parents/carers in the early stages.
| Core subjects | |
|---|---|
| English | Mathematics |
| Science | |
Mathematics
In mathematics we teach children:
- To enjoy the subject and appreciate what mathematics is, what it involves and why it is important
- To understand the underlying principles of mathematics, and be able to apply them to different situations
- To be able to use and apply maths confidently, in mental, investigative and computational settings
- Numbers, including the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
- Measures, time, shape and space, and data handling, including graphs and charts
- Estimation and probability
Children are taught mathematics daily following the National Numeracy Framework. They have frequent practice in mental maths, and are expected to learn basic number facts including number bonds and tables. It is extremely beneficial if parents help them to learn these number facts at home.
English
In English, children learn to understand, to express ideas and convey information effectively, in both spoken and written form. English activities are structured into a systematic progression which steadily develop skills in:
- Speaking and listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Spelling
- Handwriting
English is taught every day following the National Literacy Framework and daily guided reading. We often use these lessons to make links with other subjects across the curriculum. For example, a literacy lesson which involves writing instructions could be linked to work in science.
Speaking and listening
Children develop their ability to discuss and express ideas, to speak articulately and confidently, and to respond appropriately to others. Various forms of drama are used to help children to develop their communication skills and expressive use of language, as well as to enhance understanding of other areas of the curriculum.
Reading
Reading with fluency, understanding and enjoyment is a skill fundamental to education and life beyond. Reading is taught using various strategies, including an increasing emphasis on phonics using Read Write Inc. Every day each class spends 20 to 30 minutes reading. Children in Reception and Year One have a dedicated Daily Supported Reading lesson. From year Two to year Six, children have a daily guided reading lesson. The teacher and other adults hear children read and discuss a book in a small group. The rest of the class are involved in reading activities. Some children acquire formal reading skills in The Foundation Stage, but the main emphasis here is on understanding how books and narrative work, familiarity with phonics and the alphabet, and development of speaking and listening skills. Most children begin formal reading in Reception and Year 1. As children move up through the school, reading continues to form an important element of each day, with guided reading sessions, discussions of books and book reviews.
All children have a reading record book, which enables teachers and parents to comment on and monitor progress. We encourage children to take reading books home each day. Children learn faster when parents and carers support their children’s reading at home. Nylon book bags are available from the School Office for £3.50 to protect books when carrying them to and from school. We welcome parents who would like to help children read in class.
Writing
Children are taught to write for different purposes and in different forms, both factual and creative. We emphasise developing the quality of content (ideas, organisation, style, vocabulary) whilst also improving the use of punctuation, grammar and spelling. Regular handwriting and spelling practice support this work.
Phonics
The school teaches phonics through the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme.
http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/read-write-inc-programmes/phonics/
Any children in Key Stage Two who require additional phonics are taught using the Rapid Phonics programme.
http://www.pearsonphonics.co.uk/RapidPhonics/RapidPhonics.aspx
Children in Year 1 are taught reading using the Daily Supported Reading programme
Ks2 guided reading is taught through the use of Rigby Star reading books.
Science
At Baden Powell Science is largely a practical subject, which is also enjoyable and rewarding.
In science we:
- Develop a spirit of enquiry by encouraging curiosity and reasoning skills
- Introduce children to the world of living things, materials and energy
- Develop skills of observation, prediction, interpretation and recording
- Encourage children to work collaboratively and co-operatively as well as independently in their pursuit of further knowledge and understanding
The science curriculum covers investigation and experimentation, materials and their properties, life and physical processes.
We strive to make science interesting, practical and challenging to promote and encourage each child’s curiosity and investigative skills.
click here to see some Year 6 Science
ICT (information & communication technology)
The school has a networked computer suite with internet access and each class has timetabled slots. In addition each classroom has 2 PC’s and an interactive whiteboard. We also have 30 wireless notebooks for classroom use and have wireless network and internet access throughout the school. All our teachers have laptops. ICT is also promoted through all other areas of the curriculum. Our main aims are:
- to develop children’s individual ICT skills
- to develop ICT capability for all our children and staff
- to enhance and support learning in other areas of the curriculum using ICT.
Religious Education
Teaching of religious education is based on Hackney’s agreed syllabus. The religious education curriculum is approached through the exploration of all the major world religions. We also use assemblies to celebrate different religious festivals and to develop children’s moral sense.
As part of the curriculum we aim to:
- promote an open and objective approach to religious education
- assist pupils in benefiting from religious education regardless of their personal faith
- help pupils appreciate diversity and develop respect for others
- encourage a reflective attitude to life and an openness to exploring questions for meaning, purpose and value.
Religious education is important to help pupils understand the diverse and cultural society we live in today. It is our role to prepare children for living in a multicultural society. You may wish to withdraw your child from all or part of religious education but you will need to first speak with the Headteacher if you wish to do so.
Through Religious Education children learn:
- To encourage respect and tolerance of the beliefs of others
- To extend their understanding of different religions
- To enhance their ability to respond to matters of ideology and ethical values
Design & Technology
In Design and technology children work on both individual and group projects, using a wide range of materials and developing their skills in planning, designing and making. We value and promote pupils creative skills and their awareness and knowledge of products in the environment, studying, for example, structures, control, mechanisms, textiles and food. They look at and deconstruct everyday objects to understand how they are designed and made, and they learn specific skills through focused practical tasks. Design and Technology has links to many other areas of curriculum such as Art, English, Geography and Science
History
History is the study of the past – the lives of people, regardless of culture, class or gender. Within our topics we encourage and develop a multicultural framework giving pupils a better understanding of others cultures. Through studying people in the past we are able to make sense of the present, we aim to develop an awareness of the past and the present. In the Early Years, children develop an awareness of history through the changes in their lives and those of their family or adults around them. They encounter aspects of life in the past through stories, eye-witness accounts, artefacts and adult visitors. In KS1 we use a variety of topics, such as period dress, toys and everyday objects to reinforce the curriculum. In KS2 history is taught as separate units of work, for example Tudors, Romans and Ancient Greece, as well as local history.
Geography
We aim to help children to develop a strong interest in their own surroundings and the wider world. We want to enable pupils to develop an appreciation and understanding of the variety of physical and human features and conditions. In KS1 geographical knowledge, understanding and skills (including map skills) are developed by studying the school grounds and the immediate locality. In addition we study a location outside of the UK. In KS2 geography is taught through topics such as weather, environmental change, settlement, rivers and local geography. Residential field trips are an integral part of the geography curriculum and allow children to develop their ideas from first hand experiences.
Art
We see art as contributing to the development of a child’s aesthetic awareness and every effort is made to ensure each child reaches his/her creative potential. We aim to develop creative thinking, originality and imaginative thought. Pupils will have the opportunity to use a variety of mediums through which to develop their skills, e.g. drawing, printing, dyeing, painting, sketching, using clay and other materials for 3D modelling. Links are made to other areas of the curriculum in order to provide context. We firmly believe in helping pupils learn from artists and different cultures and use artists’ work and visits to art galleries to stimulate and encourage their own work.
Music & Dance
We encourage pupils to enjoy and respond to music of all cultures and aim to promote sensitivity when listening, performing and inventing. All children have the opportunity to sing and play instruments. Music is taught by a specialist music teacher to all classes. We have a violin teacher and a recorder teacher who work with pupils from Year 3 upwards. We use music from around the world, and give the children a breadth of experience. The children at Baden Powell have the opportunity to learn to play the steel pans, taught by a steel pans teacher. Our music teacher also runs keyboard and African drumming classes.
We have a Dance specialist in the school, who takes infant and junior classes and also arranges performances outside the school day. On special occasions the children perform their dances in assembly in front of the whole school. We find overall that pupils respond well to music and have experiences from a variety of cultures.
Physical Education
This is very important for the health and growth of our children as well as encouraging self discipline, co-ordination and awareness of their bodies. It also trains them to listen, concentrate and learn the importance of rules in games. They also have to learn how to play safely. The children are offered a range of different sporting activities out of school as well as on the school premises, as we believe that our children should have access to inter- school competitions for enjoyment and the development of sportsmanship skills.
Some of the activities we offer are:
- Gymnastics – pupils learn to control their bodies through planning, performing, and refining different means of turning, balancing and travelling on hands and feet using both floor and apparatus.
- Games – pupils learn to understand and play ball games and develop and refine skills of sending, receiving, striking and travelling with a ball. During school time pupils play small team games, team sports are also available as an extra-curricular activity. The school has no playing field facility of its own but Hackney Downs Park for jogging, athletics training, team sports and training, as well as playing their official games on the Lea Valley Marsh pitches (cricket and football). Professional cricket coaches work with a junior class each year. We are also affiliated to the Hackney Schools Sports Association for various inter–school events. The Sports Day events take place at Hackney Downs.
- Swimming – pupils attend swimming lessons in year 4, from the spring term. We expect children to attend regularly if they are to learn to swim and a note is required for an absence. They need to acquire their 25 metre certificate, which is presented in assembly.
- Outdoor and Adventurous Activities – pupils develop different outdoor skills through various activities when on school journey.
PSHCE (Personal, Social & Health Education) and Citizenship
This is very important for the health and growth of our children as well as encouraging self discipline, co-ordination and awareness of their bodies. It also trains them to listen, concentrate and learn the importance of rules in games. They also have to learn how to play safely. The children are offered a range of different sporting activities out of school as well as on the school premises, as we believe that our children should have access to inter- school competitions for enjoyment and the development of sportsmanship skills.
Some of the activities we offer are:
- Gymnastics – pupils learn to control their bodies through planning, performing, and refining different means of turning, balancing and travelling on hands and feet using both floor and apparatus.
- Games – pupils learn to understand and play ball games and develop and refine skills of sending, receiving, striking and travelling with a ball. During school time pupils play small team games, team sports are also available as an extra-curricular activity. The school has no playing field facility of its own but Hackney Downs Park for jogging, athletics training, team sports and training, as well as playing their official games on the Lea Valley Marsh pitches (cricket and football). Professional cricket coaches work with a junior class each year. We are also affiliated to the Hackney Schools Sports Association for various inter–school events. The Sports Day events take place at Hackney Downs.
- Swimming – pupils attend swimming lessons in year 4, from the spring term. We expect children to attend regularly if they are to learn to swim and a note is required for an absence. They need to acquire their 25 metre certificate, which is presented in assembly.
- Outdoor and Adventurous Activities – pupils develop different outdoor skills through various activities when on school journey.
