- Key Stage 1
- Key Stage 2
- Acorn Nursery Class and Tigger Reception Class
- Topic Overview & Knowledge Organiser
In Key Stage 1 we are building on the skills learnt in EYFS.
In Year 1, we have a focus on phonics, following the Read Write Inc. scheme of work which provides a progressive framework for learning to read and write.
In Year 2, we move on to applying our phonics knowledge to reading and writing. We enjoy writing for a range of purposes including stories, information texts, recounts and instructions. We have a focus on developing vocabulary and embedding new and exciting vocabulary into our own writing.
In Maths, we are using the mastery approach to develop number knowledge through concrete objects and pictorial representations. With a focus on numbers and calculations, Key Stage 1 provides the building blocks for mathematical understanding in Key Stage 2.
In RE, we follow the Birmingham Archdiocese scheme of work ‘Learning and Growing as the People of God’, where the children learn about the Old and New Testament, developing their knowledge of scripture and discussing important events in the life of Jesus. In addition to this, we explore prayer and the shaping of the children’s own spiritual understanding as a follower of God.
Each term we have a class topic based on National Curriculum objectives and follow our own school creative curriculum, with a focus on both knowledge and skills. In Year 1 pupils go Outdoor Learning. Outdoor Learning fosters intrigue and knowledge of the natural world linked predominantly to our Science topics of seasons, plants and living things. It also provides an opportunity for the children to develop their communication and language skills.
Key Stage 2 at St. Aloysius’ focuses on building upon knowledge and skills learnt in Key Stage 1 as well as developing independence and the creativity of our pupils.
In English lessons, we select high quality texts to base learning around, discussing vocabulary and sentence structure as well as dissecting the text to answer comprehension style questions. These texts are also used as a basis to develop our pupils as writers, embedding vocabulary and writing styles into the pupils own independent writing.
In Maths, the children continue to follow the mastery approach, building upon work in Key Stage 1 and developing their knowledge of number and calculations and applying their knowledge to solving more complex problems and discussing their reasoning.
In RE, we follow the Birmingham Archdiocese scheme of work ‘Learning and Growing as the People of God’, where the children learn about the sacraments as part of their sacramental preparation and about celebrations in the liturgical year alongside deepening their knowledge of Old Testament stories, examining God’s relationship with his people and the New Testament, discussing what Christians can learn from the teachings of Christ.
Each term we have a topic based on National Curriculum objectives and follow our own school creative curriculum, with a focus on both knowledge and skills. This topic is closely linked to the high-quality class text studied in English lessons which underpins many aspects of the topic-based learning.
Alongside the academic learning, we develop our pupils to be citizens of the world through our PSHCE scheme ‘Alive to the World’, residential trips in Years 4 and 6, visits to Junior Citizen and IMPS in Upper Key Stage 2 and work on health and wellbeing through visits from Nuffield Health.
Formal SATS tests take place in the Summer term of Year 6. Pupils are well prepared for these assessments but the school goes to great lengths to ensure that the children still have a rich curriculum experience in their last year in primary school.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, we follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum, a play based curriculum centred around seven areas of learning.
The ‘prime’ areas: Personal, social and emotional development, Communication and language and physical development, are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. In the EYFS we provide a stimulating and caring environment with an emphasis on learning through play.
Children are encouraged to make choices, develop independence and take responsibility for their choices and actions. We aim to engage children’s learning by planning to their interests.
Topics will change each year with the cohorts and their individual interests. As part of our teaching of the ‘specific’ areas, which includes Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design, we teach phonics through a program called Read Write Inc. Through this the children learn new sounds and apply them to reading and writing words and sentences.
In Nursery, we develop the children’s listening skills, rhyming and ability to ‘tune into’ sounds, ready for reading and writing in Reception. We use a mastery approach in Mathematics in order to provide the children with a depth of understanding of number, shape, space and measure.
In RE, we follow the Birmingham Archdiocese scheme of work ‘Living and Growing as the People of God’, where the children learn about the Old and New Testament, developing their knowledge of scripture and discussing important events in the life of Jesus. In addition to this, we explore prayer and the shaping of the children’s own spiritual understanding as a follower of God. Through all of these focuses we provide the children with solid foundations for the best start to their school life.
Please click on the links below to view this term’s Topic Overview and Knowledge Organiser for each class.