Foundation Key-Stage
Key Stage 1 & 2

The philosophy of our school is to provide a firm foundation on which all aspects of education will be built. It is our belief that education is a route to spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical, and mental development and thus the well-being of the individual. We believe in equal opportunities for all the children in our school, irrespective of social background, culture, race, gender or ability. In order to ensure future progress and success, we aim to provide a curriculum that is broad and balanced. This entails following the National Curriculum, Religious Education, Collective Worship and PSHE and Citizenship. It is our belief that we should provide a learning environment that is motivating, exciting and caring, in order for a child to develop a sense of high self-esteem and academic achievement.

Our school philosophy is the framework for general and more specific whole school aims, and is the foundation from which all aspects of our school community develop.

	To create high standards of learning for all children, providing access to all areas of the National Curriculum.
	To create a lively and stimulating learning environment.
	To create a caring, secure environment so that all our pupils might enjoy high self-esteem.
	To develop responsibility towards the environment.
.	To create a lasting partnership with parents.
	To develop an assured place for the school within the community.
	To create surroundings where each individual feels confident and at ease with what they do and about the school.
	To be able to respond positively to the opportunities and challenges of the rapidly changing world.
	To develop a commitment to the virtues of truth, justice, honesty, trust and a sense of duty.

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Pupils join us in the September of the academic year in which they are 5 years old. For the first year they follow a specific Foundation Stage curriculum which is divided into six areas of development, at this stage the pupils are working towards specific Early Learning Goals.

	personal, social and emotional development.
	communication, language and literacy
	mathematical knowledge
	knowledge and understanding of the world
	physical development
	creative development.

The six areas help us plan the learning environment, activities, experiences and framework for the Early Years Curriculum. This does not mean that all the young children’s learning is divided into these areas. One experience could provide a child with opportunities to develop a number of competencies, skills and concepts across several areas of learning.

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There are two distinct ‘Key Stages’ in school. Key Stage 1 covers pupils from 5-7 years of age i.e.  Infants. Key Stage 2 covers pupils from 7-9 years of age i.e.  Juniors.

Literacy is taught on a daily basis and covers all areas of English: reading, writing and speaking and listening. We feel it is necessary to be able to speak, read and write standard English fluently and accurately in order to take part in public and working life.

Mathematics is taught on a daily basis and a positive attitude towards this subject is greatly encouraged. Both mental skills and ‘paper and pencil’ techniques are taught. Mathematics offers pupils intellectual excitement as well as having a practical value as a root for everyday life.

Science is a subject that stimulates and excites pupils’ wonder about phenomena and events in the world around them. Through Science, we aim for children to understand how major scientific ideas contribute to the quality of our lives – their influence on industry, business and medicine.

ICT is a very important area of all our lives and is accelerating and intensifying year by year. We have our own computer suite, consisting of 10 computers, all Internet linked and all pupils are timetabled to work in this area. We believe it is essential that all the children at Bembridge Primary are provided with the skills to use the ever-increasing range of technological equipment that is available in our society.

History gives us a sense of identity, set within our social, political, cultural and economic relationships. It fires the children’s curiosity about the past in Britain and the world and plays an essential part in preparing us for living and working in the contemporary world.

In Geography pupils learn the skills of understanding a locality and how and where people fit into its overall structure. At Bembridge Primary we feel that developing geographical skills is essential as children live in a world that is wide open to them.

Design and Technology is taught on a topic basis, this is often taught in a short block of lessons over a few weeks. Design and Technology has practical problem-solving as its core activity.

Music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way children feel, think and act. As an integral part of culture, past and present, it can help children to understand themselves and relate to others. The teaching of Music develops children’s ability to listen and appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgements about musical quality.

The purpose of Art and Design education is to give pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express their responses to ideas and experiences in a visual or tactile form. It fires their imagination and is a fundamental means of personal expression.
 

PE is an essential part of the curriculum. It develops pupils’ physical competence and confidence, and their ability to use these to perform in various activities. It promotes physical skill, physical development and knowledge of the body in action.
The school also has its own swimming pool and all pupils are taught water skills and swimming in the summer term.

Religious Education covers a range of different religions, including the Christian faith. It makes a distinctive contribution to the school curriculum by developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of religion, and the religious beliefs, practices and traditions that have an influence on individuals, communities and cultures.

This distinct subject is central to the educational entitlement of all children. We believe that pupils need the self-awareness and confidence to develop independence and responsibility. They need to make the most of their own abilities and respect the abilities of others.



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