Our Motto

At Broadstone First School we want our curriculum to be a rehearsal for life and nurture the skills that are explicit in our core values. We want our curriculum to develop individual talents and unknown potential and to challenge all learners to be better tomorrow than they were today.

Our Curriculum Aim

At Broadstone First School we want our curriculum to be a rehearsal for life and nurture the skills that are explicit in our core values.

We want our curriculum to develop individual talents and unknown potential and to challenge all learners to be better tommorow than they were today.

All children from Years 1-4 follow the National Curriculum and children in Reception classes work towards the Early Learning Goals. We passionately believe that the curriculum offered to children should be based on play at an appropriate level and rooted in real life experiences. We aim to link learning wherever suitable and adopt a cross curricular approach when appropriate.

     

EARLY YEARS:

"I like it out on the playground with the big car”. (Reception).

Our Early Years Curriculum is carefully structured to build on what your child has already learnt and can do. We provide a high quality nurturing environment both indoors and out, where well planned and purposeful activities enhance their:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communications, language and literacy
• Problem solving, reasoning and number
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Creative development

We build positive relationships with you in order to work effectively with your child.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH EDUCATION:

We aim to make school a health promoting experience by increasing knowledge and providing up-to-date information about matters which affect the present and future physical and emotional health of individuals and the community. Children develop perceptions of self-worth, build a sense of responsibility in respect of themselves and others and develop social skills. As the children progress through the school they build personal awareness which we hope will lead them to make informed choices.

SEX EDUCATION:

Sex education in this school is broad-based and of a cross-curricular nature. The subject is approached through topics and covers a wide variety of themes.

Such topics as families and family relationships help the children to understand the value of family life and the importance of proper care of all young things. This allows the opportunity to consider different types of home background.

An atmosphere that encourages questions about families, pets, plants and our own bodies is developed so that these can both be asked and answered without embarrassment.

Proper names for parts of the body will be introduced and the children will be encouraged to develop a sensible attitude to bodily functions and the elimination of waste. Variations in appearance will also be discussed.

Reproduction and growth in pets and plant life will be studied at the appropriate level and staff will be prepared to correct false ideas and fears that children have about their own bodies and origins.

Through play, stories and discussion, the acceptance of non-stereotyped gender roles will be encouraged. Also, through these activities, the children will be able to develop attitudes concerning sharing, co-operation, showing affection and coping with loss and separation.

MATHEMATICS:

“We hold up banana cards to show the right answers” (Year 1)

Mathematics develops concepts and skills in number, measure, data handling, shape and space.

Children are encouraged to use mental strategies so that they understand how the number system works before they learn standard written methods.

Staff ensure that pupils select the right mathematics to solve a problem and are able to check their answers and make sure they are correct.

ENGLISH:

“Looking at big books is interesting and fun” (Year 2)

Communication, Language and Literacy are vital to ensure learning in all areas of the curriculum.

English Language and Literature are rich and influential, reflecting the experience of people from many cultures and times. In studying English, pupils develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. It enables them to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively. Pupils learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of fiction, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction.

SCIENCE:

“In science we find out why things happen” (Year 4)

Through a balance of practical investigation and the pursuit of knowledge, Broadstone First School aims to help children develop their innate curiosity in the world around them. The children are encouraged to suggest their own ideas, test them out and evaluate their findings. Through close observation they begin to discover the amazing environment in which they live.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY:

“First we draw, then we make” (Year 1)

Design and technology is all about problem solving.

First the children investigate a product and find out how it works and practice the practical skills needed, including learning how to use tools safely.

Then individually, or in teams, they plan and make their own version and finally decide if it works! Then they need to work out how to improve our designs.

ART:

“I like painting because we made Teddy Bears” (Reception)

At Broadstone First School we aim to give each child a wide range of artistic experiences. This will mean working with a variety of tools and media and in a number of different styles. We want all our children to relish the opportunity to celebrate the world around us through art.

HUMANITIES – HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY:

“The trip to Marwell Zoo was brilliant” (Year 1)

At Broadstone we have opportunities to explore and observe our world, both past and present, through outings and visits, as well as through studying books and maps.

We aim to enable the children to develop an interest in people, places and to understand the relationship between them. We hope they will appreciate the wonders of the world and develop a tolerance for different cultures, beliefs and attitudes.

We aim to develop skills to interpret different sources, both primary and secondary, and encourage an enquiring attitude towards the past, to understand how people’s attitudes have changed over time. We aim for the children to develop a range of skills that will enable them to carry out geographical enquiry and interpret information. We will encourage children to develop their own opinions about their environment and a sense of responsibility for its care.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY:

“When you write without a computer you can’t press delete” (Year 4)

Every class in school has several computers and they are used in all curriculum areas. Our computers are networked. Computers allow us to do things more efficiently. They also make learning more exciting and fun.

PE AND DANCE:

P.E.G.’s helps us to get better at games!” (Year 3)

Dance is taught in all year groups and this includes creative, traditional, country dancing and experiences of dance in other cultures. Throughout the school the children learn gymnastics and basic games skills and are awarded certificates from the P.E.G.’s award scheme as set levels of games skills are achieved. In Years 3 and 4 children are also offered regular swimming lessons.

In addition there are after school clubs e.g. football, short tennis and ball skills. The overall aim is to offer the children an opportunity to experience and enjoy a range of physical activities and develop interest which will continue into their adult lives.

MUSIC:

Music is taught through singing, listening, composing and performing. Percussion instruments are used when composing music. Year groups 1 to 4 have an additional singing session each week.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:

Religious Education is of a broadly Christian nature but we also offer children an insight into the beliefs, practices and festivals of other religions. We do not promote any particular religious standpoint but widen the children’s experiences through a range of class activities including handling artefacts and inviting guest speakers to visit, encouraging acceptance, enjoyment and tolerance of differences.

TRIPS:

We believe that trips and visits enhance our curriculum and provide inspiration for learning. Using the community for learning is a vital part of becoming an effective citizen. Examples of some of the trips we value include Moors Valley (Reception), Marwell Zoo (Year 1), Scaplens Court Museum (Year 2), Broadstone Church (Year 3) and River Piddle (Year 4).We ensure that all tasks and activities that the children do are safe. When we plan to take children out of school, we first inform parents and obtain their permission, ref. School Off-Site Policy.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP:

It is a statutory requirement to have a daily collective worship promoting spiritual, cultural and social development. We aim to ensure it is an opportunity for quiet and personal reflection. We aim to promote a respect and tolerance for other people’s beliefs and an understanding that people have similarities and differences in their lives and cultures.

Opportunities occur during the week to come together as a whole school, Key Stage and class. Personal achievement and special occasions of pupils and staff are shared and celebrated.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Collective Worship and Religious Education. Alternative provision will depend on each individual’s circumstances and will be discussed and planned accordingly. Please make your request to the Lead Learner in writing in the first instance.