Curriculum Overview

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The EYFS covers the first 5 years of a child’s life and, in schools, forms the statutory framework for our Nursery and Reception classes.

We use the document Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework, Outcomes & Development Matters as the basis for our planning, provision and assessment for our Nursery and Reception Children. There are 7 areas of learning in the EYFS curriculum, all of which are important and inter-connected:

Three Prime Areas – these areas are crucial, as they support all later learning and underpin children’s capacity to grow, learn, form relationships and thrive. We prioritise them in the Early Years as many aspects of learning in the Prime Areas are developmentally time-bound (they have to be in place by a certain age). The three Prime areas are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development

Four Specific Areas – these areas provide rich learning experiences for children, and planning provides for a mix of adult-led and child-initiated play-based activities, with more structured and guided work introduced and supported at each stage of a child’s development. The four specific areas are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding The World
• Expressive Arts and Design

At Brunswick Park, we plan a termly topic based on a two year cycle, which allows plenty of time for children to explore their interests, build on schools, and enjoy a variety of learning.

At the end of the Reception year, a statutory assessment called the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) is undertaken on each child. This assessment is based on children’s learning and progress over time, backed up by observations and assessments from all adults working with the children. There are no formal tests, tasks, or ‘set up’ activities involved in making judgements for the EYFSP. The main purpose of the EYFSP is to support children’s transition into Year 1 and to decide whether they have achieved a Good Level of Development (GLD) to prepare them for learning in Key Stage 1.

Phonics in the Early Years

We follow the programmes of study from Letters and Sounds, backed up by a Literacy-rich curriculum. We do not follow commercial Phonics schemes.

In Nursery, children follow Phase 1 from Letters and Sounds (environmental sounds, rhymes and jingles, listening skills). Towards the end of a child’s time in Nursery, s/he will be introduced to single phonemes from Phase 2, using games and songs.

Please see separate information for Reception and Year 1 in our section marked ‘English’.

Brunswick Park Primary School – Mathematics

Teaching for Mastery at Brunswick Park Primary School

Our school is currently on an exciting mathematical journey. Since September 2019, we have been working with the London South East+ Maths Hub to introduce Teaching for Mastery at Brunswick Park Primary School. Mastering maths means pupils acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. As a result of this transition, maths at Brunswick Park may look different for some of your children.

EYFS, Year 1 and Year 3 started Teaching for Mastery in September 2020. Year 2 and Year 4 have joined the journey since September 2021. These year groups will continue on their mastery journey as they complete their primary school careers. Year 5 and Year 6 are continuing to learn from the existing Southwark Planning Scheme. We have chosen to do this to ensure continuity in learning for every pupil. Upper Key Stage 2 are also having exposure to the key elements of Teaching for Mastery in daily maths lessons. They are using manipulatives, maths language and reasoning skills to develop a secure and adaptable understanding of mathematics.

To support the whole process, Brunswick has adopted the White Rose Scheme of Learning. White Rose is a leader in the field of Mastery in Mathematics. If you are interested in learning more about our schemes of work, resources or Teaching for Mastery, please see the many free resources available on the White Rose Website https://whiterosemaths.com/ or speak to Mrs Edel Fallon, Ms Dina Achilleos or Mr Thomas Moudiotis.

Schemes of Work for EYFS, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 (replacing Southwark’s Maths Plans)

Reception: https://whiterosemaths.com/reception-sol/

Year 1: https://whiterosemaths.com/resources/primary-resources/primary-sols/

Year 2: https://whiterosemaths.com/resources/primary-resources/primary-sols/

Year 3: https://whiterosemaths.com/resources/primary-resources/primary-sols/

Year 4: https://whiterosemaths.com/resources/primary-resources/primary-sols/

In line with the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, teachers guide their classes through challenging and engaging maths lessons focusing on Number and Numerical Patterns. These are the areas which are statutory under the 2021 EYFS Framework. Children are also exposed to activities involving shapes and measurement.

At Brunswick Park, we love it when parents and carers get involved.  There are lots of ways parents and carers can help boost their children’s mathematical understanding at home.  Here are some ideas:

Calculation Policy:

These documents will help parents and carers understand the concrete, pictorial and abstract methods, used in school to teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in Years 1-6.

• Calculation Policy EYFS, Y1, Y2 Y3 and Y4 2021
• Calculation Policy Y5, Y6 2021

Plans:

These documents provide a basic overview of what will be taught each week in the classroom in Years 5 and 6.  As a general rule, a different strand of mathematical teaching is covered each week. The plans are grouped firstly by year and then by term.

N.B – To ensure teaching meets the needs of the individual children, the teacher will make changes to some/all of statements to ensure there is sufficient challenge and pace in class.

Homework:

Age-appropriate maths homework is set weekly at Brunswick Park on My Maths and Times Tables Rock Stars.  Parents and carers can also help children process their learning by asking the child to ‘become the teacher’ and explain what has been learned that day at school. As maths is a part of everyday life, it is really valuable to make connections with your children.

Other suggested websites:

• www.bbc.co.uk
• www.topmarks.co.uk
• http://www.primarygames.com
• https://online.espresso.co.uk  (use your child’s school log in)

If you have any questions about maths in school please contact your child’s class teacher or one of the school’s Maths Leads, Mrs Edel Fallon or Ms Dina Achilleos.

Brunswick Park Primary School – English

At Brunswick Park, we believe that children should have access to the best possible texts and experiences as they become proficient readers and writers. We aim to foster a love of reading for a range of purposes and we are proud of our reading environments and library. We use Teaching Sequences provided by the Literary Curriculum, which provide children with a wide range of high quality texts from a diverse range of writers. Children’s English lessons promote a love of writing as all writing tasks have a strong sense of audience and purpose.

Children  are exposed to a range of reading opportunities across the key stages which include: the sharing of stories; taught whole class guided sessions; , libraries and resources and peer discussion.  They are encouraged to read  independently and with their peers though our reading curriculum and ‘Book Buddy’ programmes. Children are supported to read at home with a wide range of banded books for home reading and the use of online comprehension programmes. Pupils can also access our library and borrow books of their choice. Each KS2 class is timetabled to use the school library fortnightly, while EYFS and KS1 have termly sessions at Camberwell library. We also provide regular whole school reading events to foster a love of reading and run workshops for parents to support them with reading at home.  Children are regularly assessed through  assessment tasks and guided and 1:1 reading sessions to ensure rapid progress in reading.

Phonics is taught daily and systematically in Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2. We follow the Letters and Sounds programme and use a whole range of resources to support the teaching of phonics. We continue to support children throughout Key Stage 2 with specialist interventions if they need extra help with Phonics, reading or EAL.

Children are encouraged to read at home and we have a wide range of banded books for home reading. Children can also access our library and borrow books of their choice. Each class is timetabled to use the library once a week. We also provide regular workshops for parents to support them with reading at home. Children are regularly assessed through guided and 1:1 reading sessions to ensure rapid progress in reading.

When planning opportunities for writing, teachers use the Literary Curriculum approach. These ensure that high quality texts are chosen and a range of writing is planned for. We believe in the teaching of spelling, grammar, and punctuation being embedded within engaging lessons as part of a stimulating teaching sequence. Teaching staff have support and training from Literary Curriculum consultants.

Children also have opportunities for writing across all areas of the curriculum. We have high expectations of all our children. We use the Letter-join programme to teach cursive writing from Year 1 onwards. In EYFS we teach the children the correct way to print letters, ready to join in Year 1.

Brunswick Park Primary School – Science

We live in an increasingly scientific and technological world where children need to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to prepare them for life in the 21^st century. We at Brunswick Park Primary School believe that the teaching of Science builds onto children’s natural curiosity and interest in the world, and fosters in them a respect for the environment.

Science inspires and enhances children’s curiosity about the world around them. Through Science, children understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technology, thus impacting on current businesses, medicines and improving quality of life.

It aims to stimulate their curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do. It teaches methods to stimulate creative thought. Children will learn to ask questions to be able to appreciate the way in which Science will affect the future personally, nationally and globally.

The objective of our teaching is to:

• Ask and answer scientific questions
• Plan investigations
• Carry out investigations, using equipment, as whole class, small groups or independently
• Making and justifying predictions
• Understand and use scientific vocabulary
• Record observations, results and findings in a variety of ways (including drawings, diagrams, writing, charts or graphs)
• Interpret and analyse results
• Extend writing opportunities
• Explore the outdoor environment
• Involve the use of technology in learning and exploring

We aim to encourage and nurture children’s scientific curiosity and enable them to make stronger cross curricular and real life links by taking part in whole school STEM challenges and organising yearly Science days where children have an even greater opportunity to spend the whole day delving in scientific talk and exploration; opportunities to share their ideas to parents and other year groups are also integrated within their Science learning journeys.

To find out more about which Science topic is taught in each Year group from Early Years to Year 6 each half term at Brunswick Park Primary School, please see our curriculum map.

Science visits and visitors

Each academic year, different year groups go on related trips to further learning and explore different aspects of what they are learning in class. Visits include;

• Science museum
• Farm
• Nature garden
• Brunswick Park allotment

Occasionally we invite specialists to present Science in school. These can be in form of class support for investigations or workshops to bigger groups of children.

Useful Websites

The following links are interesting for you to use at home

• BBC SCIENCE KEY STAGE 1: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/science/
• BBC SCIENCE KEY STAGE 2: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/
• WOODLANDS SCHOOL WEBSITE:  http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/science/index.html
• ESPRESSO (use lgfl log in): https://content.lgfl.org.uk/secure/espresso/modules/subject/index.html?subject=862674&grade=ks1&&source=espresso-home-mixed-topnav-menu-key-stage-1

Brunswick Park Primary School – Computing

A high-quality Computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with Mathematics, Science, and Design and Technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of Computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

At Brunswick Park, we believe that computing is at the centre of education and has deep links with many other areas of the curriculum. In our ever changing society, technological advances are being made each day and will form a major part of our children’s lives at home, in school and places of work. Therefore, at Brunswick Park, we believe in the importance of our children being able to access and use this technology confidently and safely.

• Computing Curriculum Policy April 2021

 Brunswick Park Primary School – Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

At Brunswick Park we firmly believe that learning a foreign language is fundamental in developing key skills that support learning in all other subject areas and for supporting our children to be global citizens. We encourage the children at Brunswick Park to see the world as their playground and to be confident to take their interests and fascinations into the wider world. Spanish speakers make up a significant number of children and staff at our school and are representative of our local community.

We teach through the iLanguage Spanish curriculum. Each class in years 3-6 has 1 lesson per week taught by a Spanish lead teacher.

Geography Overview

In Geography children start with aspects that are familiar to them, the focus is then extended to the local area and finally, to the wider world. Children are introduced to other places, people, climates, economies and physical features through the use of globes, atlases, maps, photos, video clips and the internet. In this way, Geography extends the children’s skills, knowledge and understanding about the changing world we live in. At Brunswick Park Primary we make good use of our location in London to learn about areas or features close to us.

Weblinks

• http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/
• http://www.ngkids.co.uk/
• http://www.ducksters.com/geography/
• http://www.kidsgeo.com/

History Overview

History is about helping pupils to develop an interest in the past, understand human achievements and learning about the major issues and events in local, British and world history.

History engages pupils’ curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. Pupils consider how the past influences the present, what past societies were like, how these societies organised their politics, and what beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions. As they do this, pupils develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people.

They see the diversity of human experience, and understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society. Pupils become familiar with the nature of evidence by emphasising history as a process of enquiry alongside developing a range of historical skills by reinforcing that historical explanation is provisional, debatable and open to different interpretation. We aim to enhance pupils’ historical knowledge through creative experiences which help them to visually observe and analyse historical events.

Weblinks

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/z9jxhyc
• http://www.historyforkids.org/
• http://www.dkfindout.com/uk/history/
• http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/

Art and Design

Through 2D and 3D art and design our children are able to explore ideas and creativity. They also develop art skills and processes, plan and evaluate their work and investigate art across different contexts and cultures.

The curriculum programme of study for art and design is taken from the publication Art Express, adapted when appropriate to meet the explicit needs and context of our children’s learning. The programme is based on teaching and learning in six areas – drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, collage and textiles and digital media.

Through study in these areas children are taught about great artists, designers, craftspeople and architects. The Art Express programme of study provides detailed plans for six units of work for years 1 to 6. These plans present a continuous year by year developmental programme in – drawing, painting, printing, sculpture, collage/textiles and digital media. Teachers focus on a chosen skill per half term, with reference to our medium term planning, which takes account of the wider topics and texts being studied in humanities and English. Where possible, we adopt an integrated approach whereby art and design is part of the topic work and is linked to the other curriculum areas.

In the Early Years, Expressive Art & Design is explored through the EYFS curriculum.

Children’s artwork is valued both in assemblies and by displaying it attractively in the classrooms and communal areas. The children are taught the skills required to produce pleasing end products and are encouraged to value their preliminary work. Children are also given the opportunity to contribute to large artistic works to enhance the end of term concerts and link the creative subjects of art and music.

 

Design and Technology

In the Early Years, Design and Technology is taught through Understanding the World and Expressive Art & Design. Please see the EYFS section for more details.

In KS1, D&T is blocked out alternately with Art & Design and is linked to the half-termly topic

In Year 3, all children are involved in a year-long growing and cooking project, with our TA for Special Projects. In partnership with School Food Matters, the children use raised beds in school and allotment plots at Caspian Street allotments to grow their own food, with which they prepare and cook healthy meals. This year, the children were also involved in selling produce at Borough Market, with all proceeds donated to the food charity Fare Share, linking with the PHSCE curriculum.

Music at Brunswick Park

At Brunswick Park, we use music as a means of emotional and aesthetic expression. Music is a major creative art which goes beyond national and ethnic boundaries. It is a source of pleasure and a means of expression for young people, and a widespread recreational activity in adult life.

As an art form it improves concentration, teamwork, individual confidence and self-discipline; it is intellectually satisfying and stimulating study, and therefore necessary for the complete education of an individual.

Music is a key part of Brunswick Park Primary School. The children are exposed to a wide range of music through curriculum lessons and assemblies. Each class has Music taught by their teacher once a week and throughout their time here will cover music from Africa, Brazil, India, and Europe, and examine and compose music in some of the following genres: Reggae, Blues, World Music and Classical.

Children are able to explore different aspects of music through the voice and a wide variety of instruments. We have regular singing assemblies for KS1 and KS2 where children practice learn new songs which encourage them to enjoy singing. The school has a growing range of Music clubs, including Choir, Samba and Recorder which allow children to develop the skills of working together and improving their musical skills.

At Brunswick Park, we believe that making links with the wider community is important. As such, we are taking part in various community Music events, such as the Borough Market Christmas Carol service, International Evenings and singing for our local care homes.

The Music Department will endeavour to cater for all musical abilities and needs and a range of musical experiences and differing interests. We aim to ensure all pupils experience and develop their creative musical skills through the following components:

• Listening and Analysing
• Composing
• Performing.

 

Curriculum Overview

Early Years
Early Years students focus on singing and movement. Students will learn a variety of songs which will improve coordination, concentration and sharing skills. They will use movement and percussion to explore sound.

KS1
In KS1, students begin to explore musical theory and begin to develop an understanding of the elements of music. Students examine the instruments of the orchestra and composers through programme music before composing their own pieces in groups.

KS2
At KS2, students will learn about the fundamentals of music. They will learn to read staff notation and rhythmic skills will be improved. Students amongst other things will learn how to play recorder, Samba drums, African drums, notate a composition and how to improvise around a Blues scale.

Assemblies
KS1 and 2 students take part in singing assemblies every Friday where singing skills are examined and later worked on in lessons. Students learn a wide variety of songs from many genres which are often tied to the value of the month.

Religious Education

The study of religion and belief is an indispensable part of a complete education because of the impact they have on individuals, culture, behaviour and national life.

At Brunswick Park our vision is one of learning through respect, support and challenge. We endeavour, through the teaching of RE, to support young people on their personal quest to learn and develop the skills and awareness they will need to feel fully engaged in their community. Their study of other religions and beliefs will enable them to respect, understand and accept other members of their communities. RE is taught through a series of RE day which focus on the six major religions in the UK.

The provision of R.E. at Brunswick Park begins in the EYFS through understanding the world. The curriculum develops into KS1 with more in-depth study of the main religions and beliefs and an exploration of their sense of belonging within the community.

As their study continues through KS2, children are encouraged to question, investigate, evaluate and reflect on common themes across the range of religions and beliefs and to reflect on their own experiences of belief and religion.

This ability to reflect on their own beliefs and values, in addition to having an understanding of the beliefs and values of others, will be a life-long skill enabling them to seek guidance when faced with moral dilemmas and giving them a better understanding of themselves and the world.

The children participate in one RE Day every half term, during which they learn about one religion in depth.

Brunswick Park Primary School  – Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE)

The provision of PSHCE at Brunswick Park aims to enable children to reflect and clarify their own values and attitudes, exploring the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future.   In short, PSHCE makes a significant contribution to the lives of the children’s personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  The framework allows the children to develop life skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, group work, and critical thinking through core themes:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Sex and Relationships
• Living in the Wider World
• Economic Wellbeing
• Relationships

At Brunswick Park our vision is to provide high quality, planned curricular provision for PSHCE, to promote children’s personal development and well-being, through work-related learning activities in all key stages. By doing this, we aim to contribute to enabling our children to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.

The school is currently using a flexible planning model which allows for cross curricular links,   through the core themes. Sex & Relationship Education (SRE) is taught through the science curriculum which is statutory across all key stages.  Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education (DATe) is taught throughout the year across key stages. Brunswick Park also implements Mindful Learning, with the aim to empower children to become life-long learners.  The long-term vision for our school is to have a PSHCE framework that underpins the broader curriculum.

Another aspect of PSHCE is British values, which are embedded into the school’s core values. These are shared monthly and celebrated and through assemblies. Our equality calendar ensures that key national and international events are celebrated throughout the year.   Opportunities for cross curricular work  are now being well-developed across the school.

Downloads

• BPPS Equality and Diversity Calendar 2020-2021
• PSHE and Wellbeing Curriculum Framework

PE at Brunswick Park Primary School

PE at Brunswick Park Primary School is delivered by Southwark Gymnastics Club in unique format that provides specialist PE coaching across a range of sports and games. As well as drawing on our obvious links with high quality gymnastics coaching, we also employ the services of specialist Dance, Football, Tennis and Trampoline Coaches to make use of our excellent PE facilities.

Our association with the London School PE and Sports Network also provides access to an outstanding range of competitions, teacher education and resources including the ‘Real PE’ Curriculum from Create Development. Real PE aims to give all children the physical literacy, emotional and thinking skills to achieve in PE, Sport and life.

Brunswick Park School believes that physical education, experienced in a safe and supportive environment, is a unique and vital contributor to a pupil’s physical development and well-being. A broad and balanced physical education curriculum is intended to provide for pupils’ increasing self- confidence in their ability to manage themselves and their bodies within a variety of movement situations.

A balance of individual, paired and group activities, in co-operative, collaborative and competitive situations, aims to cater for the preferences, strengths and needs of every pupil. Such activities, experienced within a range of areas of activity, aim to promote a broad base of movement knowledge, skills and understanding.

The activities offered and the teaching approaches adopted seek to provide pupils with opportunities to develop their creative and expressive abilities, through improvisation and problem-solving. Pupils are encouraged to appreciate the importance of a healthy and fit body, and begin to understand those factors that affect health and fitness.

CURRICULAR AIMS

• To develop skillful use of the body, the ability to remember, repeat and refine actions, and to perform them with increasing control, co-ordination and fluency. (Acquiring and developing.)
• To develop increasing ability to select, link and apply skills, tactics and compositional ideas. (Selecting and applying.)
• To improve observational skills and the ability to describe and make simple judgements of their own and others’ work, and to use their observations and judgements to improve performance. (Improving and evaluating.)
• To develop an understanding of the effects of exercise on the body, and an appreciation of the value of safe exercising. (Knowledge and understanding of fitness and health.)
• To develop the ability to work independently, and communicate with and respond positively towards others. (Working alone and with others.)
• To promote an understanding of safe practice, and develop a sense of responsibility towards their own and others’ safety and well-being.