In Key Stage 1, we focus on fostering children’s creativity, choice, and love of learning by incorporating opportunities for them to learn in different ways with increasing independence. In Key Stage 1, the taught ‘core’ subjects are: English (reading, writing, speaking & listening), Maths and Phonics. These subjects are usually taught in the mornings.
Children in EYFS and Year 1 and 2 learn phonics using Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds.
The Non-core subjects taught in Key Stage 1 are Design & Technology (DT), Geography, History, Computing, Music, Personal Social Health Citizenship Education (PSHE), Physical Education (PE), Religious Education (RE) and Science.
Throughout the year, pupils are assessed against learning objectives and the National Curriculum and this is reported to parents. It is our aim that, through an engaging and vibrant curriculum, full of rich experiences, our pupils develop a life-long, love of learning.
Learning at Thornhill Primary School is focused on skills and as such we follow a similar method of planning for each of the core subject areas.
Reading, Writing and Maths
Maths – We follow the White Rose scheme for maths in Key Stage 1. In classes, most lessons start with revisiting previously learnt mathematical concepts, before beginning the new learning through a teacher modelled 'I do/you do' approach. Children practice the skills in a specific area of maths and then apply their skills when assessed against their age-related expectations. Children are further challenged with deepening tasks.
Reading - In EYFS and KS1 reading is taught in phonics but also in skills based whole class teaching. Home reading is strongly encouraged and the aim would be for children to be reading at home at least 3 times a week. Children are provided with a 'learn to read' book, linked to their phonic ability, and they are also allowed to choose their own 'love to read' book from our library.
Writing - Children focus on a series of skills at the start of a writing journey. They practice these skills and then rehearse their writing. Finally, they produce a piece of work that allows the child to apply the skills in a real-life context with an audience and purpose clearly in mind.
Non-Core Subjects
In a similar manner to Reading, Writing and Maths, our Non-Core subjects also follow a skill led approach. Through these subjects, we aim for our pupils to partake in a vast range of opportunities which deepen their knowledge and understanding the wider world, including faiths and cultures, so that they are exceptionally well prepared for the next steps in their education and for their life in modern Britain.