Early Years Curriculum
Primary Curriculum
The first few years of your child’s education are essential for their future as he or she moves into more formal schooling and then adult life beyond. It is vital therefore to get those first few years right.
The First Steps curriculum caters to children in Rising 2’s (16 months +), Nursery (2-3 years old), K1 (3-4 years old) and K2 (4-5 years old). We are renowned for providing a nurturing learning environment for young children. We believe that an outstanding Early Years education lays the foundation for everything that follows and make it a priority to care for each individual child, nurturing their unique blend of talents and abilities.
We follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) currently being taught in all Early Years settings in the UK. Our well-balanced, carefully-planned curriculum will enable your child to progress towards Primary School. Work is planned through the seven areas of learning, where language, numeracy, social, physical, scientific and technological skills are provided for and developed through conversation, discussion, questioning, reasoning, stories, rhymes, books, social play, games and outdoor activities.
Almost all of our activities are based on structured play and exploring which allow the children to develop their essential skills and progress at their own speed. Play-based learning also ensures wide-ranging and first hand experiences for all based on child’s interests and needs. Learning is carefully differentiated to cater for individual needs as we aim for children to develop their independence and confidence alongside personal, social and academic progress. Praise is given to celebrate successes and support provided in areas for development.
EYFS THEMES
All our Early Years classes follow the English Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) which is based on the best practice from the UK with a strong focus on learning through play. Four themes underpin the learning and development that your child will take part in through the EYFS Curriculum which are:
A Unique Child
Every child is a competent learner from birth and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Positive Relationships
Every child is a competent learner from birth and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Enabling Environments
Every child is a competent learner from birth and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Learning and Developing
Every child is a competent learner from birth and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
EYFS AREAS OF LEARNING
The EYFS curriculum consists of seven areas integrated and overlapping areas of learning and development:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
We provide children with experiences and support which will help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others, respect for others, social skills and a positive disposition to learn.
Mathematical Development
We develop children’s understanding of Maths in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk about their developing understanding.
Literacy Development
Children’s learning and competence in beginning to read and write is constantly supported and extended.
Communication and Language
Children’s learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening is constantly supported and extended.
Physical Development
The physical development of students is encouraged through the provision of opportunities for them to be active and interactive and to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. With our specialist Early Years PE teachers, our pupils are always supported in developing an understanding of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food.
Understanding the World
We support children in helping them to make sense of the world through offering opportunities for them to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments; undertake practical experiments and work with a range of materials.
Expressive Arts and Design
Children’s creativity is extended by supporting their curiosity, exploration and play. Our pupils are provided with opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings, for example, through a variety of art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role-play activities, design and technology. In addition, pupils will also receive specialist teaching in Music.
Students in Years 1 to 6 benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum enabling them to achieve their full potential and develop essential skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. The curriculum covers the core subjects of Maths, English, Science and Computing and is further extended to include a wide range of secondary subjects including, History, Geography, Art and Design and Design and Technology.
The combination of breadth and depth of study is at the heart of the School’s philosophy, ensuring that students experience the full breadth of the curriculum in and out of the classroom. Our personalised learning approach tailors our curriculum to suit the learning styles and aspirations for our children. Music, PE, Swimming and Languages are taught by specialist subject teachers.
The emphasis in Primary remains on encouraging students to explore beyond the formal curriculum and continue to develop a true love of learning. Such an approach ensures that by the end of Year Six all of our students will be well prepared both academically and socially for the excitement and new challenges of senior school.
Each class in Primary benefits from a dedicated Teaching Assistant and maximum class sizes are 24 students.
KEY STAGE 1 (YEAR 1 AND 2)
Your child’s FSB experience begins in Key Stage 1 which consists of Year 1 and 2 (ages 5-7). We incorporate the best practices of the English National Curriculum by creating a thematic approach where learning is integrated into child-centred activities.
The curriculum covers the core subjects of Maths, English, Science and Computing and is further extended to include a wide range of secondary subjects including, History, Geography, Art and Design and Design and Technology. Music, PE, Swimming and Languages are taught by specialist subject teachers.
Curriculum objectives are taught through a range of inspiring topics that encourage the students to be creative. These topics are delivered in a variety of ways to ensure that all learning styles are met. As in Early Years there are still elements of carefully planned play, keeping the interest of the students high. We know that students learn best when they have an input in what they are learning, so we give the students a voice. The students have many opportunities to lead their own learning, which is carefully monitored by the teachers.
KEY STAGE 2 (YEAR 3 – 6)
Key Stage 2 at FSB is organised into the four Year groups of Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 (aged 7-11). Students continue to follow the English National Curriculum as they build on the skills and knowledge acquired in Key Stage 1.
The curriculum covers the core subjects of Maths, English, Science and Computing and is further extended to include a wide range of secondary subjects including, History, Geography, Art and Design and Design and Technology. Music, PE, Swimming and Languages are taught by specialist subject teachers.
As in Key Stage 1 an integrated learning approach is followed, with key objectives and skills taught through a range of challenging, innovative and creative topics that change every half term. The topics are developed so they are meaningful and purposeful, allowing learning to be put into real-life contexts, with a deeper understanding gained and greater connections made. Further emphasis is placed on problem solving and creative thinking in order that students become more independent in their learning.
