Key stage 1
Within this Key Stage there are four Year 1 classes (aged 5-6) and four classes in Year 2 (aged 6-7) each taught by a form teacher. In Year 1 we have a full time teaching assistant in each class and in Year 2 we have two full time teaching assistants who divide their time equally between all four classes. The role of the teaching assistant is to support the class teacher in providing pastoral care and the curriculum.
In Key Stage 1 we use a topic-based approach, allowing us to provide an exciting and cohesive curriculum, using a cross-curricular approach. The children have lessons with subject specialist teachers in PE, French, Music, ICT and, in Year 2, Art also.
From Year 1, we begin to set the children for maths informally, in addition to differentiating within all subjects. Sets in mathematics are called Maths Clubs and are flexible. We offer extra support to children who require further consolidation or extension of skills learnt in the classroom.
The children in Key Stage 1 receive weekly maths homework and a list of spellings to reflect the sound of the week to learn for a test the following week. It is expected that the children read individually to an adult each evening at home.
Children enjoy a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. As part of the weekly programme, teachers provide clubs for Traditional Games, Construction, Origami, Art and Sewing and Needlework. Ballet, Tap, Judo and chess are available as paid extras.
A day in Key Stage 1, as you can see, is a busy but varied and fun-filled one, where the children thrive on the diverse curriculum and challenges to which they are exposed.
