Primary Curriculum
Primary Update: What will your child learn at the ICS Primary School?
At the ICS we have a clear understanding of how children learn and continually strive to provide the best possible conditions to facilitate this. We acknowledge that we live in a changing world and that we need to prepare our children for tomorrow’s needs. Consequently, we not only place fundamental value on academic learning, but also on key areas in preparation for the 21st century:
resourcefulness (the ability to organise one’s own learning),
reflectiveness (the ability to think about and evaluate one’s own learning) ,
and resilience (the ability to try several strategies and skills in order to succeed).
At ICS we believe every child has the right to equality of opportunity and access to the whole curriculum. We aim to provide a learning environment for every child which:
• is safe and secure.
• is exciting, stimulating, challenging and relevant
• develops the confidence and talents of each individual.
• fosters self-esteem, self-awareness and motivated learners.
• offers a wide range of activities, which includes the requirements of the National Curriculum.
What is taught at the ICS primary school?
As a primary school, ICS covers three different stages of education known as Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Foundation Stage
These are the early years of education, beginning in the nursery and ending at the end of the reception year when the children will be five years old. The curriculum is divided into six areas of learning, although we recognise that, in practice, many of these areas overlap.
Personal, social and emotional development
Children learn to work together, to share and co-operate. They are helped to develop good self-esteem and confidence. This area is the basis for success in all other areas of the curriculum.
Communication, language and literacy
Children develop speaking and listening skills in a variety of situations. They begin to read and write and to use information and communication technology (ICT) skills. These are developed through making connections, often through play.
Problem solving, reasoning and Numeracy
Children develop skills in mathematics through active learning. This will include counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognising relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. Mathematical understanding is developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play.
Knowledge and understanding of the world
Children develop those skills that help them make sense of the world. This includes first-hand experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem-solving, critical thinking, decision making and discussion. This forms the foundation for later work in science, design and technology, history, geography and ICT.
Physical development
Children develop their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. This involves using a range of equipment both indoors and outside.
Creative development
Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative allows children to make connections between areas of learning and so extend understanding. This area includes art, craft, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.
Key Stage 1 (Unit 1)
When children leave the Foundation Stage after their reception year they enter Key Stage 1. This stage lasts two years (Year1 & Year2) and finishes at the end of Year 2 when the children are all seven years old. In May of their final year children are assessed by their teachers in reading, writing and mathematics, using British National tests. Results are reported to parents with your child’s annual report.
Children in Key Stage 1 study the National Curriculum
Key Stage 2 (Unit 3 and 2)
Key Stage 2 lasts for four years (Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 & Year 6) and ends when the children transfer to our secondary school at the age of eleven. In May of their final year children are assessed by their teachers and by British national tests in reading, writing and mathematics. Results are reported to parents with your child’s annual report. Children in Key Stage 2 study the National Curriculum.
The National Curriculum
The National Curriculum lays down what should be taught by every British school during compulsory schooling from Y1 to Y13 (ages 5yrs – 16yrs).
The following subjects are known as the ‘core’ subjects and will have more time devoted to them than the others.
• English: this includes speaking and listening and drama. Reading and writing is based on the National Literacy Strategy
• Mathematics: based on the National Numeracy Strategy
• Science
Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Design Technology (DT), History, Geography, Art & Design, Music, Physical Education (P.E.), Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship.
The National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies are UK Government schemes that set out what children should learn in reading and writing, and mathematics each term. This begins in Reception year and continues throughout the Primary school. We use these schemes as a basis when planning your child’s learning.
You will receive letters from your child’s class teachers at the beginning of each term, which outline in more detail what your child will be learning.
Foreign Languages
In the UK education system the study of foreign languages becomes compulsory at key stage three (the first three years of secondary education). However, we feel that learning a foreign language is important and currently teach French or Arabic in KS2. This is a one hour lesson each week delivered by our colleagues from the secondary department. At the beginning of the year you and your child will be asked to choose a language option. If for some reason your child wishes to change language mid year we suggest this is best done at the beginning of a term.