Curriculum

KEPS Curriculum

KEPS Curriculum Intent, Implementation And Impact 2023

Yearly Overview of Subjects

By clicking on each King Edwin icon, you will be able to view the subjects our children will be studying.

At King Edwin Primary School, the aim of our English curriculum is to provide thoroughly engaging experiences for children throughout the school so that they can read, write and speak fluently, communicating their ideas and emotions to others. Learning to read fluently, to write confidently and express oneself well orally are essential skills, which underpin all other learning. Children at King Edwin will use their English skills to communicate and work effectively with others and to develop as independent learners. We hope that through their literacy skills, they will be able to become active participants in society beyond the school community.

We take every opportunity in our teaching to immerse the children in engaging, high quality texts in order to raise attainment in reading and writing. By using Power of Reading and other quality children’s literature, we can utilise creative teaching approaches to support and develop a whole school love of reading and writing.

As part of our teaching, grammar is also given considerable importance, along with the formal skills of spelling and punctuation. Learning to understand the structure of language is seen as integral to the development of reading and writing skills.

Mathematics:

At King Edwin Primary School, we believe the basic skills of mathematics are vital for the future life opportunities of our children. Our aim is for all children to think mathematically, enabling them to execute basic skills fluently, reason critically and solve problems confidently. In order to do this, we access a range of resources, planning and activities to give children a broad maths curriculum.

Maths is taught through our own unique way of teaching, known as our ‘Stages of Learning’. These stages include the Teaching stage, Fluency stage, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Hybrid and NRICH. Our Stages of Learning in Maths have been designed and implemented to support children in becoming competent mathematicians across all areas of a broad curriculum, whilst at the same time challenging and enabling them to do so at their own pace.

Finally, at King Edwin we are NRICH ambassadors. By using NRICH in school, we enhance the experience of the mathematics curriculum for all learners, develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills, offer challenging, inspiring and engaging activities; and show rich mathematics in meaningful contexts.

Below are each year group’s medium terms plans as well as a progression document which shows how maths develops throughout the school:

SCIENCE:

At King Edwin, our vision is to give children a Science curriculum which enables them to explore and discover the world around them. We provide children with exciting, practical hands on experiences that nurture children’s natural curiosity and encourage questioning.

Through a hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum, children experience the joy of exploration and investigation – that is, the joy of finding out. Our aim is that these stimulating and challenging experiences help children secure and extend their scientific knowledge and vocabulary. We believe that these opportunities will ensure that our children are confident, life-long learners.

Science is the deep vein running through our entire curriculum as it is not always taught as a discrete subject but is entwined throughout our topics, which gives the children even more purpose. In addition to our lessons, Science is also offered to the children through other exciting avenues, such as STEM weeks and extra-curricular activities.

STEM:

STEM stands for ‘Science,Technology, Engineering and Maths’. All of these subjects apart from Engineering are taught as discreet lessons within school and are creatively planned, resourced, taught and monitored. During one week out of the academic year, usually in March, we take part in STEM week. The whole school gets on board with this and it is popular with our children. We dedicate each day of the week to each of the subject areas plus a few more fun activities thrown in for good measure. We liaise with outside companies, businesses and people within our community to help support the learning during this week which not only makes it a fun experience for the children but it brings their learning to life.

We offer further opportunities for the children to participate in after school clubs, such as, ‘Science Tots’ and ‘Gizmo Science’ to enrich the curriculum further.

Religious Education

Our teaching of Religious Education follows the guidance given in the latest Agreed Syllabus: Religious Education for All 2021-2026.

Using this Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, we will enable our pupils to discover more about religion as well as other world views as we assist them to apply their learning to a range of topics. Our pupils are encouraged to express ideas and insights into key questions which face all human beings as we travel through life. They will take part varied experiences in order to gain insights and knowledge to help equip them as responsible citizens, ready to contribute positively to our society and the wider world.

The three-fold aims of RE in Nottingham City and the County will ensure that our pupils:
1. Know and understand a range of religions and world views which will allow them to recognise the diversity which exists in our city and wider society.
2. Can express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and the impact of religions and world views as they develop their own personal views on a range of issues
3. Develop and use skills which will assist them to engage seriously with religions and world views

By following the Agreed Syllabus, RE will also contribute to a whole range of school priorities. Study of religious and world views will also promote spiritual, cultural, social and moral development, and will support pupils’ understanding of British Values such as acceptance and respect for others who hold different world views.

Appendix – Curriculum for Religious Education – Years 1 – 6

Foundation Subjects:

MFL

At King Edwin Primary School, we believe that learning a foreign language is necessary to have a global awareness, respect of other cultures and be a valued member of a multi-cultural society. A languages education fosters children’s curiosity and deepens their understanding of the world. We aim to inspire the children with a love for languages and develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to communicate effectively, for practical purposes and to enable them to express their ideas and thoughts in other languages. This also lays foundations for future learning at KS3 and beyond that, engages and prepares them for travel and work in other countries throughout their lives.

At KEPs, children have weekly lessons in French from years 3 – 5 using the ‘La Jolie Ronde’ programme of study to ensure curriculum coverage and progression across school, in addition to other resources. Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics including: greetings, numbers, colours, food and drink, in town, home and family, the classroom, clothes and hobbies.

In year 6, through the Bloomsbury Teaching Primary Spanish programme, together with other resources, the children learn Spanish, in order to raise pupils’ awareness of another modern foreign language, and to lay the foundations for further foreign language teaching at Key Stage 3. Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world, and is the modern foreign language studied at most of our local secondary schools. Therefore, learning some Spanish in Year 6 gives pupils a significant head start when they move on. The course includes developing competence in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as regular cultural input in order to develop a gradual understanding of Spanish and Hispanic culture.

Children at King Edwin Primary School are also exposed to other languages during our bi-annual Jet Setter Days which ensure all the children at KEPs from FS1 to Year 6 experience a virtual visit to 2 foreign countries every year when they learn about different languages, cultures and traditions.

We believe at KEPs that all our children will embrace their love of learning languages to enhance their own lives and those of others. As Nelson Mandela once said “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

 

MFL Progression Map

Physical Education:

Here at King Edwin Primary School, we understand the importance of ensuring that our children are active in school and therefore see Physical Education as an integral part of children’s everyday lives. Our aims as a school is to ensure that all children are provided with regular opportunities to partake in both physical activity and competitive sport, helping children to develop skills and attributes that they may use and rely upon in future life opportunities. In order to ensure this, we have a vast range of sporting facilities and resources available so that our children are given a broad Physical Education curriculum.

 

Attached are the National Curriculum Objectives for KS1 PE…

PE KS1

Attached are the National Curriculum Objectives for KS2 PE…

PE KS2

PSHE:

At King Edwin Primary School, we believe that personal, social and health education (PSHE) education is a vital part of primary education, therefore this is an embedded part of our broad and balanced curriculum. The pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development is at the heart of our school values and ethos. Whilst British Values are promoted through the aims and objectives of PSHE by supporting our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society – as well as preparing them for life and work in modern Britain.

The intent of our PSHE curriculum is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child. At King Edwin, PSHE aims to help our children understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We provide our children with opportunities for them to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community.

We follow the SCARF scheme of work, which provides a whole-school approach to building these essential foundations – crucial for children to achieve their best, academically and socially. However, we are aware that the delivered curriculum must reflect the needs of our pupils therefore teachers will always adapt the scheme to meet the needs of their class and individuals when needed.

PSHE

Humanities (History & Geography):

The’KEPS’ Curriculum has been designed to support pupils to do more, know, and remember more specifically in science, history, and geography. It effectively provides a sequence of learning for these three subjects using the National Curriculum as its reference points. These sequences are then supported by activities which effectively help staff to focus on the main learning in each of the subjects and to create tasks and activities that will help pupils know more and remember more.

Geography Curriculum

History Curriculum

Computing:

At King Edwin Primary School, we believe that computing is an essential part of modern education. Our primary computing curriculum, based on the ‘Teach Computing framework’, is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in today’s digital world.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on projects, our students learn about a wide range of computing concepts, including programming, algorithms, data analysis, and digital citizenship. They also have the opportunity to explore different programming languages and tools, and to work collaboratively on real-world projects that demonstrate the practical applications of computing.

We believe that computing is not just a subject, but a way of thinking and problem-solving that can benefit students in all areas of their lives. Whether they are pursuing a career in technology or simply using computing to enhance their personal interests and hobbies, our students are well-prepared to succeed in a world that is increasingly shaped by technology.

Computing Skills Map

Key Stage 1 Progression Map

Key Stage 2 Progression Map

Computing Vocabulary Definitions

Art:

Our Art program is designed to inspire and nurture the artistic talents of our students. Through a variety of engaging and hands-on activities, we encourage our students to explore different art forms, experiment with various materials, and express themselves imaginatively. Whether it’s painting, sculpture, drawing, or mixed media, our students have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and develop their artistic skills.

As holders of the Arts Mark accreditation, we are committed to providing a high-quality arts education that enriches the lives of our students and celebrates their artistic achievements. We strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every student can discover their artistic voice and feel a sense of pride in their creations.

Art Progression Map

MUSIC

Our music curriculum intends to inspire creativity, self-expression and encourages our children on their musical journey as well as giving them opportunities to connect with others.   We hope to foster a lifelong love of music by exposing them to diverse musical experiences and igniting a passion for music.

We follow a differentiated, spiral approach to musical learning which responds to the national requirements for musical education. Within each unit of learning, students revisit existing knowledge and skills and then build upon and extend them incrementally. In this manner, learning is consolidated and augmented, allowing for increasing musical confidence, while constantly being gently challenged to go further.

In the classroom, students learn how to play various un-tuned and tuned percussion instruments. There is also the opportunity to play instruments in small groups, taught by peripatetic staff. Currently these include flute, clarinet, piano, violin, guitar and Rocksteady bands.

Songs are at the heart of our music, including after school clubs and the opportunity to attend Young Voices each year.

‘Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity’ (The National Curriculum)

Design & Technology:

At King Edwin Primary School we have designed a bespoke KEPS Design Technology curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous, and practical. We want our children to use creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We intend for all children to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. It is our aim to create strong cross curricular links with other subjects as part of the Unit of Learning. We want Design and Technology to prepare our children, to give them the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they need to be successful in later life.

Design &Technology Progression Map