Teaching and Learning
At Archdeacon Cambridge’s School we believe that all children have a right to a broad and balanced curriculum which is relevant and matched to individual needs and which ensures challenge, progression and success. In our school we support the development of the whole child, social and intellectual, creative and spiritual. We value and celebrate the many and varied abilities and talents displayed by all children.
We know that children have special abilities, and as an inclusive school it is our responsibility to nurture these.
How will my child learn in the Foundation Stage?
- The Foundation Stage curriculum covers six areas of learning;
- Personal , social and emotional development
- Mathematical development
- Creative development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
Children work and play at their own pace as they progress through the stepping stones towards the Early Learning Goals and in some cases beyond. Learning is stimulated through structured play and adult led activities. We give all children the opportunity to talk and communicate in a wide range of situations, to respond to adults and to each other, to listen carefully, and to practise and extend their vocabulary and communication skills. They have the opportunity to explore words and texts, to enjoy them, to learn about them, and to use them in various situations. The Foundation Stage provides opportunities for daily mathematical activities, either whole class, group work or on an individual basis.
Children’s mathematical development takes place both in the inside and the outside learning environment through a variety of activities including counting, sorting, matching, making connections, recognising patterns and relationships. The activities can vary from matching numbered wheeled toys to the correctly numbered parking space, setting the table for five friends in the role play area, counting insects in the wildlife area or singing number rhymes at group time. It is important at this stage of development for the children to have lots of practical experience and to talk about numbers and mathematical concepts.
Reading begins with children being taught phonics, word recognition and graphic knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on the systematic teaching of phonics and other word level skills such as knowledge of context and grammatical knowledge. Writing begins with mark making as a response to role play and adult led activities. Writing is modelled by the teacher with children being given the opportunity to write for a variety of purposes.
What will my child learn in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2?
Our school’s curriculum is made up of a wide range of planned activities. These activities promote learning, personal growth and development. In addition to the formal requirements of the Foundation Stage and National Curriculum, we provide many extra-curricular activities to enrich the children’s experience. Also included is the ‘social’ curriculum i.e. – what the children learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave. We want our children to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and cooperate with others while at the same time developing their knowledge and skills, in order to achieve their true potential.
Our assessment programme from nursery and reception onwards enables us to identify those children who have special abilities and or special talents. Children may excel in one area but need help in others. In order that children progress in all areas additional provision is made.
The curriculum is divided into two areas, each of which has programmes of study to guide planning and to enable links in teaching and learning to be made.
Core subjects:
English, Maths, Religious Education (RE), Science and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Foundation subjects:
Art, Design Technology, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education (PE), Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and in Key Stage2, Modern Foreign Languages.
