Curriculum

Our curriculum covers the whole experience that we offer the children at F& B. We provide an exciting, 'hands on' approach to learning appropriate to the children's ages and stage of development. We aim to ensure that every child's thirst for learning will be nurtured and encouraged through the many and varied learning experiences offered to them throughout the school day. Teacher's planning takes account of government requirements as well as using the school's own chosen schemes of work.

Teaching Methods

In the EYFS we have an integrated Montessori approach to children's learning. Our classes are beautifully prepared with a good range of Montessori materials to support children's learning. We have teachers and assistants that have been trained by the Montessori Centre to integrate the approach into our EYFS. Our Head Teacher was awarded 'Montessori Practitioner of the Year' - a national award in 2014.

What is Montessori?

Montessori is an approach to early education that focuses on the immense capacity of children to absorb information when given the freedom and independence to learn at their own pace.  It takes its name from Dr. Maria Montessori whose scientific background and belief in the potential and uniqueness of children empowered her to develop an educational approach that appreciates how children's thought processes differ from those of adults. Her insights and approach to child development have been enormously influential all over the world, both through which has become the Montessori movement and through mainstream education, which has come to accept many of her practices.  Increasingly, evidence from scientific research on how the brain develops, supports Montessori's views on how children learn and how to optimise their developmental progress.

What makes the Montessori approach different, and what makes it work so well, is that it is based on this deep understanding of the way children learn - through choosing, trying and doing themselves. When allied to the availability of specially developed materials in a prepared environment, and the close observation and guidance of a trained teacher, this leads to an enormously powerful, confidence-building approach to learning. (Reach Magazine).

In KS1, our children are taught in mixed ability classes. During the day they will be taught in a variety of groupings within the class - whole class, small ability groups, small mixed ability groups and sometimes, where appropriate individually. A variety of teaching strategies will be used by the teachers. To ensure children receive the best possible teaching all our Senior Leaders, including the Head Teacher will teach whole class, small groups or individual children at various times during the year.

Planning the curriculum

Whilst there is a curriculum focus/project each half term, all curriculum areas are taught throughout the term and cover learning intentions specified in the National Curriculum. Maths may link and children are given opportunities to apply and consolidate skills learned, but the teaching and learning of new concepts will be taught as a discreet subject.

In addition to the above themes and topics, we hold regular themed weeks and days linked to important days in the British Calendar such as Remembrance Day, Harvest, Children in Need, key religious festivals and any events special to our local community.

The School Curriculum - Key Stage 1

All children follow the National Curriculum as follows:

Personal, Social and Health Education/Citizenship, including sex education also forms part of our curriculum. Our curriculum is broad and balanced. The development of Literacy and Numeracy skills form a major part of our teaching and underpin the learning in other areas of the curriculum.

Fuller details about the curriculum content for Literacy and our approach to the teaching of phonics can be found in our School Brochure on our parent page.