At Collingbourne Primary School we like to make learning fun! We have designed our curriculum around exciting and interesting topics that will inspire our children and open their eyes to the world. Every term contains a WOW event that is designed to spark a real enthusiasm for learning. This page will tell you a little bit more about how and what we teach in each class.
If you want to know what makes our curriculum truly special… click here!
Fox Class
Fox Class contains children from Reception year (sometimes called Early Years or EYFS) and children from Year 1. Here is some information about how and what we teach our EYFS children…
EYFS children in Fox
The Early Years Foundation Stage describes learning from birth to the age of 5. Children in their first year at school are in the Reception year which is the last part of this stage. There’s a framework that sets out national expectations. It’s organised under headings:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Maths
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design.
The curriculum is flexible so that learning can follow children’s interests, and activities are organised to suit children’s needs.
Every day children enjoy a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Children learn a great deal by playing and exploring, being active, through creative thinking and by using their imaginations. Our large and well-equipped classroom provides first-class opportunities for all these things to happen, indoors and out. Playing with others develops important social skills and promotes a positive, problem-solving attitude.
Reading skills are developed systematically in daily phonics lessons and by sharing books with adults. Children learn the sounds that letters make (phonics) and the names of each letter. They learn to write accurately and are encouraged to use their emerging writing in their play. Maths skills are developed through daily teaching and practised in carefully planned activities and play situations.
Year 1 children in Fox
The Year 1 children in Fox Class will still get the opportunities to benefit from the child-initiated and adult-led activities described above. However these children will also receive extra teacher-led input to enable them to access the Year 1 curriculum. You can find out more about the Year 1 curriculum by looking at the English and Maths documents in the National Curriculum Section. First, here are some links to the topics covered in Fox Class…
Hedgehog Class
Hedgehog Class contains children from Year 1 and Year 2. The curriculum in Hedgehog Class is designed in a 2 year rolling programme: this means that no child will learn the same topic twice!
Here are some links to the topics that are covered in Hedgehog Class. If you’d like to know more please refer to the National Curriculum section below.
Hedgehog Class Year A Curriculum Overview
Hedgehog Class Year B Curriculum Overview
The National Curriculum
In this section you can find out a bit more about:
- Science
- Art & Design
- Computing
- Design & Technology (DT)
- Geography
- History
- Languages
- Music
- Personal, Social, Health & Economic (PSHE)
- Sex and Relationships Education
There is also more detailed information for the following subjects available via the tabs on the top of the page:
- English
- Maths
- Religious Education (RE)
- Collective Worship
- Physical Education (PE) and School Sport
Science
We teach science to expand children’s understanding and knowledge, building on their natural curiosity. By learning about the way things work children are invited to enthuse about the remarkable world around them. Children learn science at first hand as they make observations and carry out experiments, some of which they help to design themselves. They also carry out research from books, the internet etc.
We enjoy superb school grounds, including a wildlife area with a pond, a vegetable garden and even a bird-hide. These resources are used to support children’s learning about living things and the environment.
Art and Design
Art is valued at Collingbourne School. By creating their own works of art children develop practical skills, extend their imaginations, express themselves and build up a feel for what is beautiful. We build art into the curriculum, allowing all subjects to be explored in creative ways. Children draw, paint, print, and use textiles, clay and junk materials.
Learning about art involves an appreciation of other people’s work. Children observe the work of artists from many cultures and times, helping them to develop their own ideas in new ways. We maintain a lively school environment that raises interest and celebrates children’s achievements.
Computing
Children see the power of technology all around them every day. In school we use this for a host of creative activities including presenting information imaginatively, retrieving and interpreting information in different ways, plus control technology including simple coding. Children are introduced, at their own level, to skills they will need as adults in work and leisure. They’re also taught to use technology safely and responsibly.
Design & Technology (DT)
By designing and making items in school, children come to understand the processes involved in making things. Activities include building with construction kits, cooking, and making models of various kinds, some with working parts. Children learn to work safely and cooperatively, handling simple tools properly. They plan, test, predict and re-think their ideas. They apply their growing knowledge to help solve problems, get a feel for how different materials behave, and see the need for accuracy and care.
Otter Class
tter Class contains children from Year 3 and Year 4. The curriculum in Otter Class is designed in a 2 year rolling programme: this means that no child will learn the same topic twice!
Here are some links to the topics that are covered in Otter Class. If you’d like to know more please refer to the National Curriculum section below.
Kingfisher Class
Kingfisher Class contains children from Year 5 and Year 6. The curriculum in Otter Class is designed in a 2 year rolling programme: this means that no child will learn the same topic twice!
Here are some links to the topics that are covered in Kingfisher Class. If you’d like to know more please refer to the National Curriculum section below.
The National Curriculum Cnd…
Geography
Learning about the Earth interests children and helps them to understand their place in the wider world. As far as possible our teaching is from direct experience. For the younger children the starting point is always their immediate environment. Older pupils also undertake local studies using a variety of sources of information, including maps and atlases. All children enjoy trips into the immediate environment and the older children have an opportunity to take part in a residential visit to a contrasting location.
History
To start with, young children consider changes in their own lives and in the lives of people around them. Older children build on this foundation by studying events from ancient times to the modern day. Children learn at an appropriate level using books, objects, pictures, film clips, and the internet. They use their imaginations when hearing stories, doing drama and visiting museums or historical sites. Knowing that things haven’t always been the same is interesting for its own sake and helps explain what happens now. It makes it possible for children to identify with modern British culture and encourages them to understand and respect other cultures, past and present.
Languages
Children in Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6) learn French and build up their knowledge of different languages and cultures. This knowledge is supplemented with special days such as ‘Go Global Day’ where the children get to explore other cultures by dressing up, tasting food and learning songs and dances.
Music
In music lessons children express themselves through singing, dancing and playing instruments. They’re taught the important skill of listening as they hear different kinds of music and they’re introduced to their own musical past, and that of other cultures.
Children are encouraged to share music with others – to sing, dance or play to audiences large or small – building their confidence as they do. We have a school choir. Each year we put on concerts and performances, and take part in musical activities that parents are invited to.
Many children learn to play instruments (mostly guitar, drums and the piano), individually or in a small group.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
We happily accept our responsibility to help prepare children for the opportunities and responsibilities of adult life. Day by day we work to maintain a community that is accepting and caring. To this end teachers work with their classes to encourage tolerant and thoughtful behaviour, responsible attitudes and an awareness of personal safety. Learning about being healthy is important, as attitudes learnt in childhood can have a big effect on lifestyles adopted as adults. We support and promote good attitudes, encouraging children to look after their own bodies. Children learn about keeping themselves safe, about personal hygiene, food and nutrition, exercise, substance use and misuse, sex education and environmental aspects of health.
Sex & Relationships Education
This is taught in age-appropriate ways as part of topic work linked to science, R.E. and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). We inform parents in advance when sex education is part of the programme of work for their children. Parents have the right to withdraw their child if they so wish (please speak to the head teacher).