Key Stage 2 Curriculum

The curriculum is delivered primarily through over-arching topics, although some subjects such as Science, Religious Education and Computing are often taught as stand-alone units. Maths is mostly taught separately using the White Rose Maths scheme and resources to build fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills across Maths topics.

 English

Strong literacy skills are essential for success and it is a priority to ensure children leave primary school well-equipped for high school.

We follow the National Curriculum objectives for Key Stage 2. Wherever possible, we make links to the current topic or choose books which enhance our understanding of the world including different cultures and understanding diversity, on which to base our literacy work. In writing, we try to provide many real opportunities for children to practise their writing skills, such as writing letters, newsletter articles, readings and book reviews.

In reading, we continue to use the phonics reading scheme children use in Reception and Key Stage 1. School has invested in Big Cat Phonics Reading books to provide a continuous scheme but this is supported by a large range of other quality reading books including Oxford Reading Tree. Additionally, we use quality texts from the class library to ensure children read a variety of genres. All children in Key Stage 2 use the Accelerated Reading scheme to support their learning, choosing reading books at the appropriate level, taking comprehension quizzes and working towards targets. This widely-used scheme is a highly successful way of developing reading skills and its principles fit the school-held belief that children best learn to read if they are deriving lots of pleasure from their reading.

Our grammar, punctuation and spelling scheme follows the National Curriculum for lower and upper KS2.

Mathematics

The White Rose scheme for teaching Maths Mastery is used to plan and deliver Maths . Children build fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills progressing through a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach. Children are taught in small groups which means we can readily assess understanding and address misconceptions through same-day intervention, so that everyone can make good progress. We use additional high quality resources as required, including some from Heinemann, Abacus and Twinkl. Children are encouraged to learn number bonds and tables facts and teaching incorporates lots of recall practice.

Science

This is taught as topics on a two year rolling programme. This way, all children cover each topic in both lower and upper KS2, building on their previous learning and developing deeper understanding. Opportunities to revisit knowledge and vocabulary are planned into teaching to help children retain their learning. Learning about plants, animals, nature and the environment is often outside the classroom. There is a strong emphasis on children working scientifically as well as getting involved in specific STEM projects. We encourage visitors with careers in Science into school, to talk to the children and show us that Science learning is a route into a rewarding career.

Alongside Science we learn about the importance of healthy eating and exercise in PSHE and PE.

Computing

Using computers and developing skills for coding are important skills for all children to develop. We use the Purple Mash learning platform to develop basic skills across the curriculum. This platform has been successfully used for remote learning in Key Stage 2 as well as for setting, completing and handing in homework tasks. Coding is taught using Purple Mash as well as unplugged resources.

Religious Education

RE is taught both as a separate  subject, following the Derbyshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2020 - 2025, and within specific theme days such as trips, work with other schools and Children's RE Conferences.

The principal aim of RE in Derbyshire schools is to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.

Questions which form the basis of a line of enquiry are chosen each year based on the children's existing understanding and prior knowledge and to ensure progression. The questions for 2021 -2022 are as follows:

Autumn:  Believing - What do different people believe about God?

Spring:  Expressing - Why do some people think that life is like a journey?

Summer:  Living - What does it mean to be a Christian in Britain today?

It is a legal requirement that R.E. is taught in school, but parents do have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons after discussion with the Headteacher.

Physical Education

We offer the children a range of physical opportunities to enable them to: develop competence to excel in a broad range of physical activities, be physically active for sustained periods of time, engage in competitive sports and activities, lead healthy and active lives.

We have our own playing field, play equipment and hard surface for games and school sports and we employ Derby County Football in the Community  and Primary Stars coaches to support our sessions.

We take part in organised events held with other schools involving swimming, football, netball, basketball, hockey and athletics.

The village hall is used for gymnastics and dance during the winter months. We enjoy taking part in local dance competitions, too.

Each year we offer Outdoor Adventure Activities to Year 6 children in our Small School Cluster at the White Hall Centre, near Buxton.

Languages

French is taught in KS2. We use a variety of resources and are use singing and games to consolidate learning. Opportunities to explore other languages take place on themed language days.

Music

We follow the New Model Music curriculum 2021 and strongly believe in the benefits of Music for academic success, group collaboration, wellbeing and enjoyment. Singing is an important aspect of school life. Children sing in collective acts of worship, Church, concerts and village activities.

In Key Stage 2 all children learn to play an instrument using the Wider Opportunities Music Partnership. Currently children are learning to play trumpets and trombones. As part of our curriculum enrichment opportunities, children recently completed a 'composing day' in school working collaboratively to create a suite of music to complement their History topic on Kings & Queens. Children perform in small concerts for parents and we join larger events too, such as 'Young Voices' at the Sheffield Arena and 'Playing with the Halle'.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education/ Character Education/ RSHE

We provide a range experiences in PSHE through discreet lessons, cross-curricular opportunities, and collective worship. We use a wide variety of resources and follow the Derbyshire PSHE Matters scheme. We cover the Jubilee Centre Primary Character Education schemes to develop the children's understanding of character education, encourage self-reflection and deliver service to others. The character virtues covered  include Courage, Caring, Honesty, Patience, Helpfulness, and Resilience. These virtues sit alongside our ethos of Achieve, Believe and Care,  We use Church of England resources for teaching Relationships, Sex and Health Education. In this way, we ensure coverage of important issues including staying safe online and sex education at an appropriate level to each child.

Geography 

Geography topics are planned on a four year cycle to ensure a full coverage of learning across Key Stage 2:

History 

 History is taught on a four yearly cycle to ensure a full range of topics is covered:

Educational Visits

Educational visits are an important part of school life and are a great way to provide memorable experiences that consolidate learning and put it into context. We aim to have at least one major visit per term which is related to topic work or current events. In addition to that we regularly visit other schools and places of worship, local places of interest and explore the nearby countryside on nature walks.

To find out more ...

Parents and members of the public can find out more about the curriculum our school is following by contacting the Headteacher: Miss Teresa Nicholls.