Welcome to our Curriculum Page
The Government released the latest National Curriculum which came into effect in September 2014. The National Curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens.
Each half term information about the topics your child will be exploring and how you can help them at home will be uploaded to class pages.
Phonics is taught throughout Nursery, Early Years and Key Stage 1 school using the Letters and Sounds publication and is continued on through Lower Key Stage 2 using Support for Spelling.
Our school does not follow a set reading scheme however all our books are separated by National Curriculum level (colour banded). If you would like a copy of this, please feel free to ask the school.
Early Years Curriculum
A cross curricular thematic approach is used
for planning all units of work, although the
progression and integrity of each subject is planned for and the relevant skills and concepts for each subject are taught.
We place an emphasis on the social and emotional well being of children in the Foundation stage and the curriculum is planned to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to succeed.
Maths
Mathematics is a creative and highly
inter-connected discipline that has been
developed over centuries, providing the solution to some of history’s most intriguing problems. It is essential to everyday life, critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. A high-quality mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, the ability to reason mathematically, an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics, and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Geography
Geography lessons at Andrews Lane School
inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about
the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. What we teach will equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.
Music
Music is a universal language and allows
children to be creative. A high-quality music
education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. At Andrews Lane School music is taught by Miss Campbell. Children learn about music through singing and in Key Stage 2 they have the opportunity to learn the ocarina, the recorder, the ukulele and also the piano through Miss Gaston our piano teacher.
Computing
At Andrews Lane we recognise that confidence
with computing is essential for children growing
up in a world that relies on technology. We
cover key areas of the curriculum, such as coding, e-Safety, networking and using software effectively in our purpose built Computing Suite. In addition to this, classes support their learning in other subjects using laptops in lessons and we have a set of iPads to further enhance opportunities. By combining the excellent resources available to us with effective teaching we aim to ensure all children leave Andrews Lane using technology confidently and safely.
English
English has a distinguished place in education
and in society. A high-quality education in
English will teach pupils to speak and write
fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society.
Science
A high-quality science education provides the
foundations for understanding the world.
Science has changed our lives and is vital to the
world’s future , and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
History
History lessons at Andrews Lane School will help
pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of
Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It inspires pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past, to ask perceptive questions, think critically, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.
Religious Education
At Andrews Lane we study all religions, so that we can learn to respect one another and live together peacefully. RE is taught in every class and we follow the Hertfordshire agreed syllabus, covering different religions in each year group.
We also have daily worship where we encourage the children to take part or deliver the worship.
Modern Foreign Languages
In Key Stage 2 at Andrews Lane School we
focus on enabling pupils to learn French.
The teaching provides an appropriate balance
of spoken and written language and lays the foundations for further foreign language teaching at key stage 3. It enables pupils to understand and communicate ideas, facts and feelings in speech and writing, focused on familiar and routine matters, using their knowledge of grammatical structures and vocabulary.
PE
Sport is highly valued at Andrews Lane. The
school believes that physical education,
experienced in a safe and supportive
environment, is a unique and vital contributor to a pupil's physical development and well-being.
A broad and balanced Physical Education curriculum taught by a specialist sports coach provides pupils with a range of opportunities to develop physically and competitively.
Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the importance of a healthy and fit body and mind, and to begin to understand those factors that affect health and fitness.
