Curriculum

There is something special about the art of young children – the unselfconscious way in which they work, their intuitive sense of composition and form, and the way this is reflected in their art. Picasso famously said, ‘It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child. Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once you grow up.’ If this is so, what is the role of the art teacher?

In the Junior School we aim to provide a stimulating approach, one that gives expression to a child’s voice whilst simultaneously challenging them by exposing them to new artists, techniques and ways of seeing.  We have a specialist room, and during their time here children will have a chance to try exciting techniques like batik and reduction printing, as well as painting, drawing and sculpture. The school has its own kiln, and ceramics is an important part of the curriculum.

Each year we participate in the National Gallery's ‘Take One Picture’ scheme, and our work has been selected for display in London on several occasions.
 

We are lucky enough to have a specialist room for DT, and this enables us to offer a wide range of experiences, including cooking, woodwork, textiles, electronics and computer control. Children enjoy the responsibility of learning to use specialised equipment, whether that is a saw, a food processor, a motion sensor, or our new pizza oven. As well as developing useful life skills, there is an emphasis on iterative design; children learn to problem solve and adjust their design as they meet obstacles, developing qualities of resilience along the way. 

We have also recently started a kit car club, where children build an electric powered vehicle, which we then enter into local race competitions.
 

We LOVE Drama! In our school it is vital, dynamic and readily available through weekly English lessons (both premeditated and spontaneous) and extra-curricular clubs.   

We believe that Drama can engage children in new ways: it nurtures and encourages their natural enthusiasm and creativity; develops self-confidence, imagination, and empathy, and expands skills in co-operation, communication and concentration.  Above all, it is great FUN, the children thoroughly love and enjoy both the journey along the way and the annual opportunities to perform in Creative Week, Whole School Musicals and Speak Out!  
 

Our children leave the Junior School loving English! We provide opportunity for each and every child to engage with their learning, linking the children's shared interests with the texts we study, the writing projects we adopt and the performances we celebrate. 

We place equal importance upon all three elements: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. 

In Years 3 and 4, English is taught by the class teacher with emphasis on embracing the essential skills of English and engaging in interesting and challenging activities.  As the children progress into Years 5 and 6, English is taught by specialist teachers and the children have endless opportunities to sharpen their skills, perfect their performance and add to their adventure. 

There are all kinds of exciting school events throughout the year which bring literacy and a love of reading to life: annual visits to the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Book Week & World Book Day, National Reading Champions Quizzes, the Speak Out Festival and more.  Our terrific trio of English, Drama and the Library really help to make this subject vibrant, dynamic and enjoyed by all.
 

Geography aims to foster and develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world within our pupils and to also help them develop a sense of place. It aims to develop empathy within the children for the lives of others on our planet and to understand key issues concerning the environment. Furthermore, it provokes and answers questions about physical and human geographical processes. 

Topics studied reflect a wide range of issues that are occurring in our ever-changing world. For example, Year 3 debate arguments for and against deforestation of the rainforests. Year 4 take a deeper dive into Europe and then study the effects of rivers on our landscapes. A fieldwork study also allows them to measure the nature of one river to enhance their understanding.  Important issues such as fair trade and climate change are studied in Year 5 and Year 6, giving our pupils a real understanding of the ways in which we are linked to other countries and people. We only have one world; we want the children at the Junior School to understand it to help them protect it for future generations.
 

At the Junior School, History is alive! Whether exploring medieval Baghdad, analysing the causes of the Bath Blitz, or evaluating Stone Age technology, children learn what we have in common with our ancestors but also how views, beliefs and ideas have changed over the centuries. In this way, History shines a light on current events, helping children to understand how change happens, and how it can be shaped by individual lives.

By the time children leave us, they will have a sound grasp of major events and changes in British history as well as an understanding of how changes happen over time. They will have the skills to sort through evidence to find out why different people have differing interpretations of past events. Most importantly, they will build an ongoing fascination with the people and stories of our past.
 

Our ICT curriculum is inspired by the children’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for modern technology, and it continuously evolves in response to our ever-changing technological world! It provides careful balance of topics across the three strands of Computer Science, ICT & Multimedia and Digital Literacy, whilst taking full account of the latest government guidelines and the cross-curricular needs of the School. 

We aim to provide real-life context for our ICT projects; for example, being tasked with designing, budgeting, producing branding and marketing materials for a new Theme Park or developing solutions for real-life problems through inventing a new product along with coding to show its use. 

We use wide variety of technology throughout the School – a fully equipped ICT suite, the latest smart whiteboards, iPads, laptops, control technology resources, animation and film making resources, enhanced computer programming curriculum as well as an extensive range of applications and programs.  

Our Virtual Learning Environment allows families to log onto the school’s servers from home, opening a wealth of new opportunities for linking the School and home learning.  

Each year, our pupils have the opportunity to participate in regional and national competitions, like the PA Raspberry Pi Competition in which we have proven success. 
 

What better way to explore the world than through Mathematics! Here at Junior School we encourage our pupils to view Maths as a language like any other. Whether we are investigating shape, measure, statistics or number, Mathematics is all about the journey, as well as the destination. We encourage mathematical curiosity and bravery as we tackle problems, which is an approach shown not only to allow our children to reach ‘the answer’, but more importantly to increase their self-confidence and self-belief.

We are committed to a mastery approach, meaning that we aim to ensure that our learners are able to understand, use and manipulate concepts with confidence in a range of contexts. Whilst following the national curriculum, we ensure that our pupils have every opportunity to explore topics in greater breadth and depth in order to reach their full potential. We believe that Maths in the home deserves a high a profile and this is achieved through a ‘triangle of learning’, between the child, the teacher and the home. We encourage parents to join their child on their mathematical journey and to witness the joy of their discoveries on the way.

The learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience, and encourages children’s curiosity about language.

French is introduced in the Nursery and continues throughout the Pre-Prep and Junior School. German and Spanish are introduced in addition to French in Years 5 and 6, and we aim to promote positive attitudes towards language learning in a way that is enjoyable and fun.

Whilst the emphasis is on the spoken language, teachers use a variety of techniques to encourage the children to have an active engagement with MFL, including games, role play, action songs and IT. Some written language is also explored, particularly in Year 6.

We are fortunate to have many bilingual pupils, and we encourage them to develop pride in their home language and culture through regular events at school.
 

Music lessons at the Junior School offer a wonderful mix of genres and opportunities to perform on a variety of instruments.  In Year 3, all children learn to play an orchestral string instrument and in Year 4 the classroom is filled with a full band sound, as the children learn to play a wind or brass instrument. In these first two years, important skills are developed in understanding notation, building ensemble skills and taking on an identity as a valued KEJS musician!

In Year 5 and 6, the focus is on learning about music from other cultures. We are extremely well resourced with our own traditional Indonesian Gamelan, African djembe, samba and a full set of steel pan instruments. Children learn to play by ear, create their own compositions, sing in harmony and express themselves through music.

Performing is at the very heart of what we do, and our philosophy that music should be inclusive, ensures that all children will perform in at least one of our many concerts each year.

86% of our children are currently learning at an instrument and we have a dedicated and talented team of specialist music teachers offering individual tuition.  At the Junior School, we keep our musicians busy with two choirs and five instrumental ensembles which meet each week. 

Music is the universal language and offers children the space to be creative, find their voice, collaborate with each other and emerge as confident, literate and capable musicians!
 

King Edward’s Junior School staff always hold the health, wellbeing and personal development of our children amongst our highest priorities. It is a priority that arises both out of our aim to help our pupils develop into well-rounded and fulfilled individuals, and out of a recognition that social, physical and emotional health underpins the foundation for successful learning.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHEE) is taught weekly through our Jigsaw programme and lessons are delivered using a range of teaching and learning styles designed to include and value everyone. The children love the Calm Me chime time and the Jigsaw buddies that help create a positive learning environment for each lesson. Topics include setting goals and targets, online safety, puberty, friendships and conflict resolution, fundraising and helping others and relationships. 

Our scheme aims to:

• Develop self-confidence and self-esteem, recognising their own worth, and making informed choices regarding personal and social issues
• Equip them to stand up for their beliefs in the face of external challenges e.g., peer pressure;
• Form positive relationships with other members of the school and the wider community, recognising and respecting diversity and differences, remembering our core value; ‘to treat others as we would want to be treated’
• Develop social, emotional, and behavioural skills through following the Jigsaw PSHEE/RSE scheme alongside a values and virtues programme. (CARERS)
• Be responsible and active members of a democratic society
• Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle
• Support the teaching of British Values
   

In Religious Studies children are encouraged to explore religious ideas through reflection, empathy and imagination and to recognise that religious beliefs are often deeply felt. They are encouraged to ask questions and to recognise the rights of others to hold their own views.

By the end of their junior years, children have been introduced to a number of major faiths and are well equipped to live successfully in our multi-faith society, feeling empowered to voice their own reasoned perspective on matters of religious and philosophical importance.

In Year 3 the main emphasis is on understanding what it means to be a Christian, culminating in a visit to a Christian church in the summer term. An awareness of other faiths is also encouraged through the use of creation stories, as well as by comparing birth ceremonies and places of worship.

The focus in Year 4 is on developing children’s willingness to discuss moral and ethical issues through the ‘community of enquiry’ approach used in philosophy sessions. An in-depth study of Buddhism, enhanced by a visit to a Buddhist Centre, also offers pupils the opportunity to understand an approach to life, which (for many children) is very different from their own. Children also spend time considering important aspects of Judaism.

In Year 5 children continue to grapple with moral and ethical problems, through topics such as ‘Poverty and Wealth’ and ‘Life’s Big Questions.’ The topic on ‘Festivals of Light’ provides opportunities to observe similarities and differences between a number of different faiths and leads into a detailed study of Hinduism.

Year 6 cover topics on Islam and Sikhism. Christianity is also explored in greater depth through the Miracle Maker and Easter topics. In Year 6, pupils are encouraged to make comparisons between the different faiths they have studied during their junior years, preparing them for more in depth study in Year 7 and beyond.
 

"Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding" - Brian Greene

Science at the Junior School is all about discovery, asking questions, making mistakes, and a journey of understanding the wonderful world around us. We are fortunate to have a dedicated science lab which is used by all year groups and has been stunningly designed so that the children can develop the practical skills that they will need throughout their science education.

The aim is to encourage the pupils to look at the world as a scientist and to ask questions about the world in which they live. They use their senses to observe and measure, use their skills to record findings, and explain trends in their results.

Throughout their study, pupils are encouraged to develop independence, confidence, curiosity, self- motivation, co-operation, communication, and critical thinking skills and to treat the world around them with respect.

Ultimately the children should develop a love of Science that will continue throughout their lives. After all, Science is like a tub of ice cream: 'cool and fun!'
 

King Edward’s Junior School welcomes pupils who can access the curriculum but may need extra help due to a specific learning need or have a lack of confidence in a particular aspect of their work. Our approach is to educate these pupils, wherever possible, alongside their peers within the normal curriculum. Where pupils face specific challenges, we encourage them to be ambitious, independent and confident.

All staff at the Junior School understand the need to be responsive to the individual learning needs of their pupils. This is done in consultation with the Learning Support department. 

If a child requires additional support, teachers, parents and the Learning Support department work in partnership to ensure that the correct route is identified.

The Learning Support Department consists of the Head of Learning Support (SENCO) and three additional, specialist teachers. They work closely with academic and pastoral staff to ensure that the correct support in in place for each child who has been identified. If a child receives additional Learning Support lessons (for which there is an additional charge), termly targets are set and reviewed alongside the pupil.

In order to ensure that the correct support is identified, the Head of Learning Support works closely with the Academic and Pastoral Deputy heads. This also ensures that continued support can be provided at times of transition.
 

Our Library is the beating heart of our school, supplying knowledge to all in our Junior School community. It is a treasure, a sanctuary, a pivotal place for learning, research and relaxation!

With fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, comics, audio books – all in both classic and modern - the Library appeals to all and entices you in to explore.   

Year 5 Librarians take an active role, becoming adept at issuing and returning stock, as well as putting together displays and advising their peers on what to read. Weekly lessons in the Library are always a highlight with the children and frequent author visits inspiring our whole community with their reading, writing and beyond. The Library is the place to be!
 

Classroom learning is accompanied by a range of outdoor experiences, swapping screen time for green time all year round. 

Through many subjects, children enjoy opportunities to learn from nature directly. We are very lucky to have plenty of outdoor space and different habitats surrounding the Junior School, including the meadow, wild area and dipping pond. We aim to nurture a love of nature and a passion for encouraging diversity in wildlife.

Subject teachers take every opportunity to create learning opportunities outside, from developing key skills on our Junior Astro, to solving clues in the Year 6 Maths Treasure Hunt. The benefits of outdoor learning are well known, including better concentration, improved mood and greater confidence. 

Children can also choose to challenge themselves, with our range of exciting playground equipment, den building areas and a cross-country route. Children and parents have worked to build new homes for wildlife, including planting trees and stocking the ponds, while opening up areas for people to share with nature. The children and staff get great pleasure from gardening for nature.