At Swingate Primary School we believe that English is a fundamental life skill and the tool that enables our children to learn and communicate ideas, views and feelings across the curriculum. Through English children develop their powers of imagination, creativity and critical thinking. Our children are encouraged to use their knowledge, skills and understanding in speaking and listening across the curriculum, in a range of different situations.   English is an important aspect of everyday life and central to being a full and active member of a community. It is the foundation for almost all of the learning that takes place in our school and the participation in the learning. As a result English is given high status within the school.

• Give structured descriptions
• Participate activity in conversation
• Consider & evaluate different viewpoints

• Use knowledge to read ‘exception’ words
• Read range of fiction & non-fiction
• Use dictionaries to check meaning
• Prepare poems & plays to perform
• Check own understanding of reading
• Draw inferences & make predictions
• Retrieve & record information from non-fiction books
• Discuss reading with others

• Use prefixes & suffixes in spelling
• Use dictionary to confirm spellings
• Write simple dictated sentences
• Use handwriting joins appropriately
• Plan to write based on familiar forms
• Rehearse sentences orally for writing
• Use varied rich vocabulary
• Create simple settings & plot
• Assess effectiveness of own and others’ writing

• Use range of conjunctions
• Use perfect tense
• Use range of nouns & pronouns
• Use time connectives
• Introduce speech punctuation
• Know language of clauses

• Articulate & justify opinions
• Speak audibly in Standard English
• Gain, maintain & monitor interest of listeners

• Secure decoding of unfamiliar words
• Read for a range of purposes
• Retell some stories orally
• Discuss words & phrases that capture the imagination
• Identify themes & conventions
• Retrieve & record information
• Make inferences & justify predictions
• Recognise a variety of forms of poetry
• Identify & summarise ideas

• Correctly spell common homophones
• Increase regularity of handwriting
• Plan writing based on familiar forms
• Organise writing into paragraphs
• Use simple organisational devices
• Proof-read for spelling & punctuation errors
• Evaluate own and others’ writing
• Read own writing aloud

• Use wider range of conjunctions
• Use perfect tense appropriately
• Select pronouns and nouns for clarity
• Use & punctuate direct speech
• Use commas after front adverbials

• Give well-structured explanations
• Command of Standard English
• Consider & evaluate different viewpoints
• Use appropriate register

• Apply knowledge of morphology & etymology when reading new words
• Reading & discuss a broad range of genres & texts
• Identifying & discussing themes
• Make recommendations to others
• Learn poetry by heart
• Draw inference & make predictions
• Discuss authors’ use of language
• Retrieve & present information from non-fiction texts.
• Formal presentations & debates

• Secure spelling, inc. homophones, prefixes, silent letters, etc.
• Use a thesaurus
• Legible, fluent handwriting
• Plan writing to suit audience & purpose
• Develop character, setting and atmosphere in narrative
• Use organisational & presentational features
• Use consistent appropriate tense
• Proof-reading
• Perform own compositions

• Use expanded noun phrases
• Use modal & passive verbs
• Use relative clauses
• Use commas for clauses
• Use brackets, dashes & commas for parenthesis

• Use questions to build knowledge
• Articulate arguments & opinions
• Use spoken language to speculate,
• hypothesise & explore
• Use appropriate register & language

• Read a broad range of genres
• Recommend books to others
• Make comparisons within/across books
• Support inferences with evidence
• Summarising key points from texts
• Identify how language, structure, etc. contribute to meaning
• Discuss use of language, inc. figurative
• Discuss & explain reading, providing reasoned justifications for views

• Use knowledge of morphology & etymology in spelling
• Develop legible personal handwriting style
• Plan writing to suit audience & purpose; use models of writing
• Develop character & setting in narrative
• Select grammar & vocabulary for effect
• Use a wide range of cohesive devices
• Ensure grammatical consistency

• Use appropriate register/ style
• Use the passive voice for purpose
• Use features to convey & clarify meaning
• Use full punctuation
• Use language of subject/object

Main points:

• The curriculum is organised in a year on year basis
• Calculators will only be introduced towards the end of primary schooling, and only for pupils "secure in written and mental arithmetic to allow them to explore more complex problems."
• ICT tools, however, should be used in primary schools to "aid conceptual development".
• Pupils add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions in primary school, preparing them for more advanced topics like algebra in secondary.

 Aims of the mathematics curriculum

All pupils:

• become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that they are efficient in using and selecting the appropriate written algorithms and mental methods, underpinned by mathematical concepts.
• can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real-life scenarios.
• can reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and develop and present a justification, argument or proof using mathematical language.

While the programmes of study are organised in a distinct sequence and structured into separate domains, "mathematics is a highly inter-connected discipline," says the document, stressing that pupils "should also be encouraged to make connections across mathematical procedures and concepts to ensure fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving problems."

As with English and Science, the document stresses and reiterates that discussion should be used as a fundamental teaching tool. In maths, this is to help pupils develop mathematical vocabulary and present justification, argument and proof.

The following link outlines year by year overviews:

At Swingate Primary School we believe a high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, pupils should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Topics covered:

• Seasonal change
• Everyday materials and their properties
• Plants
• Forces and magnets
• States of matter
• Electricity
• Light
• Sound
• Rocks
• All living things and their habitats
• Earth and Space
• Evolution and inheritance
• About our environment

The new 2014 national curriculum introduces a new practical subject, computing, which replaces ICT.

Computing is concerned with how computers and computer systems work, and how they are designed and programmed. Pupils will gain an understanding of computational systems of all kinds, whether or not they include computers. Computational thinking affects many areas of the curriculum, and influences work over a wide range of disciplines.

Pupils will develop skills to solve problems, design systems, and understand the power and limits of human and machine intelligence. Pupils who can think computationally are better able to understand and use computer-based technology, and so are better prepared for today’s world and the future.

Religious education is given in accordance with the Kent Agreed Syllabus (KS1) and the National Framework for R.E. (KS2). This syllabus involves studying different religions with an emphasis on Christianity. We make visits to a St David’s Church in the local vicinity and encourage visits from others to share their faiths.

A daily act of worship is held. This helps children to develop and grow in Christian attitudes and values. The pattern of worship varies through the week but all assemblies offer a chance for the children to reflect and share experiences.

In this growing multi cultural society it is important that children have an understanding of the similarities in cultures and religions. However, every parent has the right to withdraw his or her child from religious education. If you wish to do so would you either write to the Headteacher stating your wishes or visit the school to discuss the matter.

“Learning to live well”

PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education is a planned programme of learning opportunities and experiences that help children and young people grow and develop as individuals, as members of families and of social and economic communities.

Citizenship education gives children the knowledge and skills to understand, challenge and engage with the main pillars of our democracy. It enables children to take part in an active role in society.

Both PSHE and Citizenship education have not been amended in the new National Curriculum and will continue to be taught through the support of the SEAL scheme of work. Teachers endeavour to provide children with new learning experiences and provide opportunities for them to discuss and experience life in the wider world; with focus on fundraising and our local community.

 At Swingate we will offer a quality physical education curriculum which inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically-demanding activities.

We will provide opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness during P.E lessons and throughout a range of extra-curricular activities. We will enter Mini Youth Games which will give the children an opportunity to compete in a range of sports

The PE curriculum will provide a broad range of physical activities, encourage the children to stay physically active for sustained periods of time, engage in competitive sports and lead healthy and active lives.

Swimming will be provided for some years within the KS2.

In Music, the children are taught to play and sing with increasing confidence and control. They also will begin to develop an understanding of musical composition, including using staff and other musical notations. During their time at school, they will improve an understanding of the history of music whilst looking at different examples of music from different musicians and composers. Throughout the year, some children will have the opportunity to attend different music clubs, which include choir and keyboard club and these help encourage the children’s enjoyment of music.

Through studying the past and their environment, children gain awareness, appreciation and knowledge of their personal identity in relation to time and place. Full use is made of the rich resources around Swingate Primary School with emphasis placed on practical understanding made relevant to the children’s experiences. Through investigations of artefacts, stories, local records, documents and photographs we aim to bring the subject of history alive for each and every child. We hope to communicate this ethos during our regular exhibitions throughout the year, where all parents are welcome.

In Geography our pupils develop their knowledge of places and the forces which shape them. Our geographical studies cover the local environment, the United Kingdom, Europe and North or South America. The children use a wide variety of sources, including maps, the internet and photos to establish the location of countries, cities, mountain ranges, rivers and seas or oceans. We use an ‘enquiry’ based approach to learning which enables the children to explore geographical questions as independent researchers and include fieldwork to explore the human and physical features of the local area. The children are encouraged to make links across the curriculum, and use skills learned in English, History, ICT, Mathematics and Science.

Learning through D.T promotes children to become problem solvers through practical activities using planning and creative skills. Our children learn how to use tools, design techniques and the application of these skills to create and evaluate a range of products. D.T also plays an important part in cross curricular learning and enables the children to develop their social and team work skills. Learning about making food and enjoying a healthy lifestyle, as well as where food comes from plays an important part in the D.T curriculum. Children will look at historical figures and events that have helped shape the world of D.T and use this to inform their own designs and ideas.

Our vision for art in line with the new curriculum is that EVERY child can develop human creativity. They are to be engaged, inspired and challenged. Given knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create.   We encourage critical thinking to develop an understanding of art and design, reflecting on how it shapes our history and contributes to culture, creativity and wealth of the nation.

Our aims in Swingate Primary School are:

• To produce creative work
• To explore their own ideas
• To record their experiences
• To become proficient at drawing, painting, sculpting
• To become proficient at general art, craft and design techniques
• To evaluate and analyse creative works using artistic language
• To know about great artists, craft makers and designers
• To understand historical and cultural developments of art form

Learning a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience in preparation for future life and travel. At Swingate, French is taught from year 3 to 6 with a focus on speaking, listening and responding. Our children learn using a specially designed language programme called Rigolo which allows the children to learn from a native teacher as well as listen to and participate in stories and tasks. Units include ‘La famille, Les animaux, Quelle heure est-il? and On mange!’ These units help children to develop their communication skills and encourage them to explore their own as well as other cultures.

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