General Curriculum | Brickhouse Primary School

General Curriculum

Our curriculum at Brickhouse centres around the requirements of the National Curriculum and all its subject areas. At Brickhouse, we operate a “thematic” curriculum, whereby we take the all the subject areas, prescribed by the National Curriculum, and integrate them in to “themes” or “topics”, to provide enriching learning experiences for all.

Each year, each class, from Nursery to Year 6, works through three termly topics, which links their learning together and provides a more lasting learning experience.

Nursery and Reception classes are referred to as the Early Years Foundation Stage. When the children join the Early Years, they begin to acquire the basis skills which they will need later in their school life.

They will be following seven areas of learning. Three prime areas - Communication & Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social & Emotional Development and four specific areas - Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the World and Expressive Arts & Design.

Early Years is an important stage, as it is during this time, that attitudes to learning are formed and social skills developed. These lay the foundations for future education. Young children learn most effectively through structured play.

Our Early Years staff work together as a team and plan for children's learning in the seven key areas, to ensure that all areas of development are covered within an interesting, stimulating and supportive framework. The children are taught directly and also have a choice of planned activities so that they are able to develop independent learning habits.

In Key Stage One (Years 1 & 2), the children will continue with the programme already started in the Early Years, and there is great emphasis placed on the transition between Early Years and Year 1. Also, great emphasis is placed on the teaching and enjoyment of reading, writing and Numeracy through a variety of carefully structured activities, as requiredby the National Curriculum.

Science, Information & Communication Technology, History,Geography, Art, Design & Technology, Music, Physical Education, SMSC and Religious Education, also have an important place in Key Stage One, as does our commitment to the provision of carefully structured and well organised play activities.

On transferring to Key Stage Two (Years 3 to 6), the children will be encouraged to broaden, and study in greater detail the various learning areas. Reading material will be presented, which will increase vocabulary and also take account of the changing interests of the children as they mature.

Language activities (including speaking and listening, creative writing, handwriting and spelling) take on a more defined role as the children progress through Key Stage Two, as do the other important subject areas of Numeracy, Science, Information & Communication Technology, History, Geography, Art, Design & Technology, Music, Physical Education, SMSC. Modern Foreign Language and Religious Education. The children will be encouraged to put forward their points of view on various issues, solve problems and make judgments regarding their work in school and life in general.

Home Learning

Children are set weekly home learning tasks, the amount depending on the scheme of work they are following. We would appreciate it if you could support your child by encouraging them to complete their home learning. Another way you can help your child is by reading to them and later listening to them read, as well as supporting them in their learning of their times tables. Children with particular learning needs, may be provided with additional work for completion at home.

Health and Sex & Relationships Education

The School has a formal policy for the teaching of Health and Sex & Relationships Education. This subject is taught to both Key Stages. Sex & Relationships Education is provided through the broader framework of the Sex & Relationships Policy. Section 241 of the Education Act 1993 introduced new arrangements for the teaching of sexual matters. Parents do have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons. Children whose parents exercise this right will have alternative arrangements made for them. The School has produced an explanatory leaflet for parents on this subject, and this will be made available when your child is due to receive this education.

Special Educational Needs

Assistance is available for those children with learning or behavioural difficulties. This help is generally provided as a matter of course by the teaching staff of the school, however, children with special difficulties are referred to specialist teachers who are provided by the Local Authority. The use of these teaching specialists always follows discussions with parents, in conjunction with our Special Needs Co-ordinator.

Extended Schools Provision

There will be a number of opportunities for children to experience off-site activities e.g. visits to the theatre, art galleries and museums. The children may also be offered residential experiences as they move through school. We see these as a very important part of our curriculum.

Extra curricular activities are provided for the children after school e.g. football, dance, netball, multi-sports. They are run by a variety of people. They include our teachers, support staff and external providers. These clubs are all chargeable, and you will be expected to pay for each half terms club in advance.

At Brickhouse, we also run a before school Breakfast Club, from 7.30am daily. For more details about places and charges, please contact Mrs. J. Magson - Breakfast Club Manager on 0121 559 1629.

Curriculum Policy