_edited.png)
Key Stage 1
Mathematics
At Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2), we aim to ensure that students develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value. This involves working with numerals, words and the 4 operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
At this stage, we also aim to develop their ability to recognise, describe, draw, compare and sort different shapes and use the related mathematical vocabulary. Teaching involves using a range of measures to describe and compare different quantities such as length, mass, capacity/volume, time and money.
By the end of Key Stage 1, our students should know their number bonds to 20 and be precise in using and understanding place value. They should also be able to count confidently in 2’s, 5’s, 10’s.
English
​
At Key Stage 1, we encourage our students to read phonetically and break down words which they are struggling with. We push the students to develop their vocabulary and spelling by decoding and breaking down difficult words. We aim to develop their word reading, spelling and language skills. The teachers also support the students to ensure that their teaching develops the students’ oral vocabulary as well as their ability to understand and use a variety of grammatical structures, giving particular support to pupils whose oral language skills are insufficiently developed. Students are also taught the skills and processes essential to writing: that is, thinking aloud as they collect ideas, drafting, and re-reading to check their meaning is clear.
For Year 2, teachers continue to focus on establishing students’ accurate and speedy word reading skills. We also make sure that students listen to and discuss a wide range of stories, poems, plays and information books. We aim to increase their vocabulary, comprehension and their knowledge across the wider curriculum. In writing, we encourage students to compose individual sentences orally and then write them down. They should be able to spell correctly many of the words covered in year 1. We also support the students to develop skills in basic grammar and punctuation.
Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)
Mathematics
Our principal focus of mathematics teaching in lower key stage 2 is to support students to become more fluent with whole numbers and the 4 operations, including number facts and the concept of place value. Students should develop written and mental methods and perform calculations accurately with large whole numbers.
At this stage, students should develop their ability to solve a range of problems, including with simple fractions and decimal place value. Teaching also ensures that students draw with increasing accuracy and develop mathematical reasoning so they can analyse shapes and their properties, and confidently describe the relationships between them.
By the end of year 4, students should have memorised their multiplication tables up to and including the 12 multiplication table and show precision and fluency in their work.
English
​
At lower key stage 2, we aim to develop the students’ understanding and enjoyment of stories, poetry, plays and non-fiction. Students are encouraged to justify their views about what they have read: with support at the start of year 3 and increasingly independently by the end of year 4. Students should be able to write down their ideas with a reasonable degree of accuracy and with good sentence punctuation. Our teachers attempt to consolidate students’ writing skills, their vocabulary, their grasp of sentence structure and their knowledge of punctuation and grammar. Our students are encouraged to spell words as accurately as possible using their phonic knowledge and other knowledge of spelling rules. In years 3 and 4, students are encouraged to be more familiar with and confident in using language in a greater variety of situations, and for a variety of audiences and purposes, including through drama, formal presentations and debate.
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 & 6)
Mathematics
Our principal focus of mathematics teaching in upper key stage 2 is to support our students to extend their understanding of the number system and place value to include larger integers. This should develop the connections that students make between multiplication and division with fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio.
At this stage, students should develop their ability to solve a wider range of problems, including complex properties of numbers and arithmetic, and problems demanding efficient written and mental methods of calculation. With this foundation in arithmetic, pupils are introduced to the language of algebra as a means for solving a variety of problems. Teaching in geometry and measures should consolidate and extend knowledge developed in number. Teaching should also ensure that students classify shapes with increasingly complex geometric properties and that they learn the vocabulary they need to describe them.
By the end of year 6, pupils should be fluent in written methods for all 4 operations, including long multiplication and division, and in working with fractions, decimals and percentages.
​
English
​
For upper key stage 2, our teachers have high expectations and expect the students to be able to read aloud a wider range of poetry and books written at an age-appropriate interest level with accuracy and at a reasonable speaking pace. They should be able to read most words effortlessly and to work out how to pronounce unfamiliar words. Students are encouraged to read widely and frequently for pleasure and information. They should be able to read silently, with good understanding, inferring the meanings of unfamiliar words, and then discuss what they have read. Students are also taught to write down their ideas quickly and expand on what they are discussing as a class. Grammar, punctuation and spelling is focussed on strictly and students are taught to recognise and apply the rules in their writing. Emphasis on correct spellings and accurate use of punctuation is stressed highly. Our teachers also ensure that comprehension and responding to various texts are studied widely. In years 5 and 6, students’ confidence, enjoyment and mastery of language is supported through public speaking, performance and debate.
Key Stage 3
Mathematics
​
​
English
​
​
Science
Key Stage 4
Mathematics
​
​
English (Language, Literature)
​
​
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)