Autumn Term Report: Curriculum
EYFS
This term Ladybird pupils have settled into their school routines very well already this term. Our new starters have shown wonderful confidence when getting used to their new school setting and have begun to develop excellent relationships with the supporting adults.
This term our topic is 'Marvellous Me' which has been fabulous in allowing us to focus on exploring the children's unique interests, likes and dislikes. Our key text for this half term is 'Peepo' by Janet and Alan Ahlberg which focuses on family life, with lots of events seen through the eyes of a young baby. The children have enjoyed engaging with a 'Peepo' sensory story and using different AAC methods to communicate what they can see within the text or during the story.
They have also been exploring the role play corner frequently, with lots of home corner play including looking after the different babies by bathing, feeding and getting them dressed. In addition, the children have been engaging in lots of mark making activities focused on drawing themselves. They have been working hard to look in the mirror and use different mark making tools to represent their own faces. Some children have been able to form some of the pre-writing shapes and we have had some brilliant self portraits.
Key Stage 1: Creative curriculum
Term 1: All About Me!
Pupils are developing their Art and Design, History, Science, and Computing skills in different ways through the topic "All About Me!" They will experiment with various drawing materials and express their preferences, as well as sequence key events in their day using words like today, yesterday, now, and then. In Science, pupils will learn to identify their senses and name body parts, while Computing will involve creating a family tree using photos of their family members.
Term 2: Barnaby Bear
Pupils are developing their Geography, Science, Computing, History, Art, and Cooking skills through the Barnaby Bear topic. They will name and locate the world’s seven continents, explore land masses using a globe, and learn the capital city of the UK and some European capitals. They will compare a small area of the UK with a non-European country to understand geographical similarities and differences. In Science, pupils will experiment with everyday materials, such as investigating which material is best for an umbrella. They will use technology to create, organise, and manipulate digital content, while exploring pictures and 4 objects significant to different cultures, like the Eiffel Tower.
In Art, pupils will develop a range of drawing and painting techniques, such as pointillism, and learn about artists from around the world. In Cooking, they will explore where food comes from, learning about ingredients from different parts of the world. Lower
Key Stage 2: Creative curriculum
Term 1: Down to the Woods
Pupils are developing their Science, Art, and Geography skills through the topic "Down to the Woods." In Science, they will identify and name different food sources, including plants and animals, observe how seeds and bulbs grow into plants, and learn about deciduous and evergreen trees. They will explore what plants need to grow—light, air, water, soil, and space—and identify the parts of a plant. In Art, pupils will experience and express their views on Andy Goldsworthy’s work and use sketchbooks to record observations, reviewing and revisiting woodland pictures. In Geography, they will use basic geographical vocabulary to describe key physical features such as forests, soil, and vegetation.
Term 2: Come Dine With Me
Pupils are developing their Science, Computing, and Design Technology skills through the topic "Come Dine with Me!" In Science, they will learn about the importance of hygiene and understand that both humans and animals need the right types of food to stay healthy. In Computing, pupils will create and produce a recipe using a word processing program. In Design Technology, they will explore the seasonality of different ingredients and prepare meals for a healthy and varied diet using a range of techniques. Pupils will also prepare and cook a variety of savoury dishes, developing their practical cooking skills.
Upper Key Stage 2: Creative curriculum
Term 1:Dinosaurs
Pupils are developing their Science and History skills through the exciting topic of Dinosaurs. In Science, they will explore how living things have changed over time, identify how animals and plants are adapted to their environments, and learn how fossils provide information about creatures that lived millions of years ago. Pupils will investigate different types of rocks, how fossils are formed, and make careful observations as they research fossils and rocks. In History, they will record and present information about dinosaurs in a fact file, understand that dinosaurs lived a very long time ago, and recall key facts about these prehistoric creatures. Pupils will also explore how fossils give us knowledge about the existence of dinosaurs and changes beyond living memory.
Term 2: When I Grow Up!
Pupils are developing their Science, Design Technology, and Art skills through the topic "When I Grow Up." In Science, they will learn that living things produce offspring of the same kind, recognize how people change as they grow older, and explore the senses to increase awareness of the world around them. In Design Technology, pupils will understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet, learning about key food categories.
In Art, they will choose an artist such as a sculptor, painter, or sketch artist—like Michelle Reader, Miro, or Rausch—and use the same media to create their own artwork.
Key Stage 3: Creative curriculum
Autumn 1 - Sensational Safari
During this topic, the students have the opportunity to develop their understanding of safaris. The trees that grow in the safari and the animals that live there. Categorising the animals by carnivores, omnivores and herbivores. The students will explore the climate and seasons in an African safari - making comparisons to the UK.
Autumn 2 - Apprentice
During this topic, the students have the opportunity to create, prepare and cook simple dishes. The students will also build on their construction techniques to create a product/s to sell at our whole school winter market using tools and other materials safely.
