Curriculum
What we teach, and in what order
Each year group has a page; this is the map. If you want the detail — the texts, the topics, the trips — the year-group pages have them and the class teacher will happily talk you through it.
Reading
Systematic phonics from the first week of Reception, twenty minutes a day, every day. By the end of Year 1 almost every child decodes fluently; the ones who don't get a daily one-to-one until they do. From Year 2 the emphasis shifts to reading for pleasure: a class novel read aloud every afternoon and a library visit every week.
Maths
Taught for understanding: concrete objects first, then pictures, then symbols. We spend longer on fewer ideas — place value in Year 2 takes a term — so that later ideas have something to stand on. Times tables are learned by heart, by Year 4, and tested weekly because it works.
Science
A real lab, with sinks, from Year 3. One practical investigation a week, written up properly: question, method, result, what we'd change. The pond, the weather station and the allotment are all part of the timetable, not a club.
Arts and music
Every child learns an instrument from Year 1 (recorder, then a choice of violin, cello, trumpet or clarinet from Year 3), with instruments loaned free. Two whole-school productions a year, and an art week each summer term with a visiting artist.
Languages
Spanish from Year 3, an hour a week with a specialist teacher, and a pen-pal exchange with a school in Valencia from Year 5. Children who speak another language at home are encouraged to use it; we currently have 23 home languages.
By year group
| Year | Ages | Classes | Teachers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception | 4 – 5 | Robin, Wren | Ms Patel, Mr Lowe |
| Year 1 | 5 – 6 | Finch, Swift | Mrs Byrne, Miss Adeyemi |
| Year 2 | 6 – 7 | Heron, Kite | Mr Castellano, Mrs Ng |
| Year 3 | 7 – 8 | Osprey, Owl | Ms Fischer, Mr Duarte |
| Year 4 | 8 – 9 | Kestrel, Merlin | Mrs Sato, Mr Grant |
| Year 5 | 9 – 10 | Falcon, Harrier | Miss Cole, Mr Ibrahim |
| Year 6 | 10 – 11 | Eagle, Hawk | Mrs Okonkwo, Mr Sørensen |
Additional needs
Our SENCO, Mrs Halvorsen, works across the school four days a week. Support is in class wherever possible — small groups, adapted resources, a quieter space when needed — and we write every support plan with parents, not for them. The SEND information report explains the process and the people.