Curriculum
Curriculum Information
‘Pupils should leave Ditton Infant School as resilient members of the community, with a thirst for learning, and a desire to be the best they can be’
At Ditton Infant School our curriculum is designed to help children become confident, curious and resilient learners. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum across EYFS and Key Stage 1, with opportunities for children to learn through play, discussion, practical exploration, creativity and outdoor experiences.
Curriculum overview for EYFS and KS1
The information below provides an overview of the content taught across each subject within the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. It explains how we help children build knowledge, skills and confidence as they move through Ditton Infant School.
English
Teachers develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing and vocabulary as integral parts of every subject. English is a subject in its own right, as well as a medium for learning across the curriculum. Fluency in the English language is essential for success in all subjects.
Reading and Phonics
At Ditton Infants we place a huge emphasis on the importance of reading and use a wide variety of reading scheme books and real books to ensure that children are exposed to different vocabulary, styles of text and genre. In the early stages books are closely matched to the phonic scheme so children can decode them. Children are encouraged to take books home regularly to share with adults. Children are taught to use a range of reading strategies and are encouraged to read for enjoyment. All children will be encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop knowledge of the world in which they live and establish a love of reading. This is supplemented by book events, book fairs and World Book Day themed activities.
Phonics is taught for up to 30 minutes a day in ability groups, using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds. Please see the link below, which shows how to pronounce each phoneme that your child will be learning. Class teachers will also recommend activities that families can use at home, including online activities, to support phonics learning. All Year 1 children take part in the statutory phonics screening check in Term 6 of each academic year. Once children pass the phonics screening check, there is a stronger emphasis on spelling and spelling patterns as they move into Year 2, although some children may continue to need phonics sessions. We can also provide additional “Keep Up” phonics sessions for children who require them. Some children receive additional reading support to help build independence and confidence. Reading books are closely matched to phonics development up to the end of the Orange Band. Subsequent book bands are linked to Accelerated Reader quiz levels. KS1 classes also have reading lessons, group reading sessions and individual reading sessions. We are fortunate to have highly skilled volunteers who also support reading in school.
https://www.littlewandle.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Writing
Children’s independent writing is encouraged and praised from the earliest efforts. We follow the Write Stuff Sentence Stacking approach to writing alongside the colourful semantics programme. Teachers demonstrate and model writing daily and there are numerous opportunities for children to practise their skills. We place a strong emphasis on correct letter formation and the development of correct sizing and spacing of letters.
Speaking and Listening
Speaking and listening is a very important part of the new English National Curriculum. At Ditton Infant School speaking and listening is part of all lessons. We have developed a whole school vocabulary booklet and use colourful semantics to enhance our teaching and learning. New words are taught and practised, and children work with "Talk Partners" to explore ideas and embed their knowledge. These mixed ability pairs enable children who are confident with speech and language to work alongside their peers and model good speaking and listening skills. We also use drama and role-play to develop speaking and listening – as this is the foundation for reading and writing skills, and indeed essential for all learning. The Write Stuff is an approach we can use for children to orally rehearse stories and non-fiction texts. Reading aloud and reciting rhymes and poetry are also important.
Maths
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, reason mathematically and can solve problems.
At our school we aim to make maths fun and engaging from the very beginning. We follow the White Rose Maths scheme and teach Maths four times a week. Our Maths lessons provide the opportunities for children to develop skills, concepts and knowledge in number, shape, space and measure. Problem solving challenges demonstrate how maths is part of our everyday life and gives the children opportunities to apply their learning. Children are encouraged to talk about the maths that they are doing. Parents are encouraged to support and re-visit their child’s learning through activity ideas sent home on termly newsletters.
Science
We believe that Science is a fascinating subject and we aim to enthuse the children. The subject is taught through the Kent Science Scheme and an annual Science Week. The activities at Ditton Infants are aimed at developing the child’s intellectual and practical skills, thus empowering them to explore and investigate the world in which they live. Each topic is designed to develop pupils’ enjoyment and interest in Science by building on their curiosity and sense of awe of the natural world. It includes a planned range of investigations and practical activities to give pupils a greater understanding of the concepts and knowledge of Science and develop their scientific vocabulary. We use careful questioning to encourage the children to give thoughtful responses and develop their thinking skills.
Computing
We value the contribution that ICT can make for the benefit of our whole school community, and especially for our pupils. The School actively promotes and utilises ICT opportunities to empower our children to make relevant and safe choices and to be flexible as they develop their personalised learning in line with our whole school vision. Each class is equipped with a smartboard. There is a class set of iPads which are used to support the children with their learning in all curriculum areas. The school subscribes to Purple Mash which has software covering mathematics, language, paint programmes, graphs and word processing and has an online safety scheme of work.
Religious Education (RE)
RE covers religious traditions and moral issues and the application of religious insights into the children’s own lives. We use the Kent Agreed Syllabus, where Christianity, Islam and Judaism are the major religions studied at KS1. We also recognise the variety of religious and non-religious families from which our pupils come.
Parental right of withdrawal from RE
This was first granted in 1944 when curricular RE was called ‘Religious Instruction’ and carried with it connotations of induction into the Christian faith. RE is very different now – open, broad and exploring a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. In the UK, parents still have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to provide their own RE. We request that parents express their wishes to a member of the Senior Leadership Team. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. Children who are withdrawn from RE are supervised by a member of staff and given alternative tasks.
Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSH&E)
At Ditton Infant School, we aim to support children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of the community. We encourage all pupils to play a positive role in school life through class discussion and the school council. Through lessons and assemblies, children are given opportunities to develop confidence and self-motivation using Jigsaw. Jigsaw is a spiral and progressive scheme of work that helps children prepare for life, understand themselves, value who they are and learn how they relate to others in an ever-changing world.
Art and Design
The visual world and our perception of it are fundamental to how we think, act and feel. Art enables children to express their ideas, observations and feelings creatively. We provide our children with the experience of using a wide range of tools and materials to practise their skills in two and three dimensions. Children should know how art and design reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture of our nation.
Design and Technology
Design Technology is an important life skill. Activities include cooking, sewing and making and learning about a variety of structures and mechanisms. This is where our future designers and engineers begin to develop the understanding needed to produce the innovations of the future. It is also an opportunity to learn and practise mathematical skills in a meaningful context. Children will be taught to design, make, evaluate and use their technical knowledge.
History
Our children begin by sequencing recent events in their own lives. They then begin to learn about the differences between life in the present and in the past, major events in history and something of the lives of famous people. Where possible, we use primary sources, such as visits, artefacts and people, such as elderly visitors talking about such topics as school life in the past. Historical role play areas, where children can act out some aspect of life in the past, also help young children to begin to develop an historical understanding.
Geography
The geography curriculum is concerned with children learning about their own locality whilst developing an interest and knowledge in the world beyond their own environment. Emphasis is placed on the teaching of geographical skills, subject specific vocabulary and practical fieldwork activities. The children are encouraged to develop an appreciation of the world around us and an awareness of the influence that man has on the world. Through geography, children are introduced to a sense of belonging, not only to our local community, but to the global community.
Music
We use the Charanga scheme as a basis to ensure that there is a development of knowledge and skills across the school. Children experience a range of musical activities which include singing, performing with simple instruments, and listening and responding to music. A high-quality music curriculum should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians. Every child will also have opportunity to take part in several musical performances throughout their time at Ditton Infant School, for example the Nativity and Christmas carols celebrations.
Physical Education (P.E.)
Throughout the year, all Key Stage 1 classes participate in gymnastics, dance and games lessons. Each class has 1 hour a week timetabled for Physical Education and this can include sessions in the hall or outside in our large playground. There are also a range of movement breaks planned during the day. One of these incorporates the ‘Daily Mile’ to ensure that children are receiving up to 2 hours a week of physical activity. It is also possible to plan for some lessons to take place on the shared playing field. At Ditton Infants, we are keen to place a high emphasis on enjoyment and all children take part at their own level, gradually improving their skills and techniques as they move through the school. The lesson content aligns with fundamental movement skills and as well as an emphasis on physical activity, the children learn about the importance of being healthy and leading active lives.
Forest School Inspired Learning
At Ditton Infant School we believe that outdoor learning can have many benefits for children. Children in the Reception Class have daily access to an outdoor area with a free flow system in place between the indoor and outdoor spaces. In KS1 regular access to a shared outdoor area is also available. Across the school Forest School Inspired Learning sessions take place weekly in our dedicated wildlife garden and field area. Children are given time in nature to play, explore and learn. Amongst other things we practise using tools safely, we cook delicious treats on the fire and explore our pond.
Forest school inspired learning
Other Information
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Data outcomes
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download_for_offlineData outcomes
- Early Learning Goals download_for_offline
download_for_offlineEarly Learning Goals
- School Music Development Plan download_for_offline
download_for_offlineSchool Music Development Plan
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Reception baseline Information for Parents
Papers copies of Curriculum and Other Information are available on request from the school office
- Early Learning Goals download_for_offline
