Years 1 & 2

Art is such a valuable part of our curriculum. Children learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines and making links to their own work.

Teaching encourages children to investigate, explore and develop their own ideas, as well as to evaluate results.

The Pre-Prep has a dedicated, and newly refurbished Art room which is extensively resourced and organised to give children choice and independence in the creative process.

Specialist teaching is provided by our Senior School Art department staff.

Design Technology is an inspiring and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.

They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative and enterprising.  They develop critical thinking as they evaluate and modify their work.

We take a rigorous approach to teaching English so that every child gains a solid and technical knowledge of all aspects of the subject. Teaching focuses on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Individual targets are set and developed with each child to suit their learning needs.

We embrace a broad range of traditional and contemporary literature, including non-fiction and poetry from the UK and abroad, which often inspires class projects and enables us to make cross-curricular links to subjects such as Religious Education, History and Geography.

The children are introduced to a breadth of writing genres. Grammar and punctuation, combined with an awareness of technical grammatical language, are covered in detail. Good handwriting skills are emphasized and we teach a cursive handwriting style from the Nursery onwards. Phonics continue to have a very important role for spelling and reading unfamiliar words and spelling homework is set on a weekly basis.

A love of telling, reading and writing stories is regularly brought to life with events such as Book Week and by visiting authors and illustrators. Children also take part in a sponsored reading event to help raise money for Clic Sargent.

It is always a pleasure to visit King Edward’s Pre-Prep.  The children are wonderfully imaginative, enthusiastic and very well behaved for young super villains!

Kim Donovan, Childrens' Author

All the children enjoy a weekly French lesson with our specialist French teacher. Use of songs, games, storybooks and puppets all help to bring the language alive.

The children are taught to listen attentively to spoken French and to show understanding by joining in and responding. French is frequently linked to classroom topics, for example around the world, transport and castles.

Learning focuses on extending the children’s knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They continue to build on basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.

At the Pre-Prep, children are taught Geography in a cross curricular, creative way both in and outside of lesson time. For instance in summer the whole school performed in a wonderful musical, ‘Eddie the Penguin Saves the World,’ helping to stimulate enquiry about the world and develop a sense of responsibility for the environment. Autumn saw the school celebrate a ‘Harvest Around the World,’ and last Christmas the children staged a spectacular production at the Egg Theatre, Bath, entitled ‘Children of the World.’

Further initiatives include a whole school ‘Water Day’, where pupils and staff from the Senior School Geography department join us for the day to explore the many issues relating to water, including the water cycle and water pollution.

We encourage our children to explore Geography beyond classroom activity, taking them to local places such as art galleries, museums, parks and churches. We also have weekly Forest School sessions, where we encourage our very young children to explore their outdoor environment and use it as a platform for learning a variety of skills.

 LYN-MARIE WILLIAMS, GEOGRAPHY SUBJECT LEADER

The children continue to develop an awareness of the past. They learn where the people and key historical events they study fit within a chronological framework and identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods.

We focus on local, national and international figures and use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms. The children ask and answer questions, choosing and using parts of stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events. They understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.

To support their learning, topics include Knights and Castles, with a trip to Cardiff Castle to help bring their classroom learning to life, the Victorian era, and considering the role and impact of historical figures such as Amy Johnson and Neil Armstrong.

History topics frequently link to other elements of the curriculum, for instance Year 2’s topic on Space Exploration included understanding the importance of the first lunar landing, while Year 1’s trip to Cardiff Castle inspired the stunning model on show in reception, made with the help of local potter, Nick Inns.

To aid the children's understanding of historical events a new sixteen metre history timeline was recently installed in the School's playround, featuring key historical moments through time.

In recognition of the excellence of History teaching within the School, King Edward’s Pre-Prep was recently awarded a Gold Standard Quality Mark by the Historical Association.

With technology playing such a fundamental role in our lives, we aim to provide high quality computing skills to our children. Curriculum work also encourages the children to be able to think logically and creatively and make links with other areas of the curriculum, e.g mathematics, science, and design and technology.

Using technology safely continues to be a high priority, with children made aware of the risks associated with internet use.

ICT is used imaginatively to foster a range of skills.

ISI REPORT 2015

We continue to develop curiosity and enjoyment in Mathematics in Year 1 and Year 2, with personalised learning to ensure every child is provided with the challenge and support that they require.

The children develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting and place value. They work with numerals, words and the four operations and include practical resources (for example, concrete objects and measuring tools).

During Year 1 and 2 children develop their ability to recognise, describe, draw, compare and sort different shapes and use the related vocabulary. We use a range of measures to describe and compare different quantities such as length, mass, capacity / volume, time and money.

The quality and variety of language that the children hear and speak are key factors in developing their mathematical vocabulary and presenting a mathematical justification or proof. They are assisted in making their thinking clear and teachers ensure that the children build secure foundations by using discussion to probe and remedy any misconceptions.

Music makes a huge contribution to the wider life of the school.  Every child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, make music with others, learn to sing, to listen and appraise, to compose and perform.

Highlights of the musical calendar include the nativity play, which last year was staged at the Egg Theatre in Bath, and the Summer drama production.

Building on Foundation Stage learning, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is taught discretely and throughout the school day in various activities in and out of the classroom, with circle time forming an important part of PSHE teaching.

Pupils learn about themselves as developing individuals and as members of their community. They learn the basic rules and skills for keeping themselves healthy and safe and for behaving well. Children are encouraged to show that they can take some responsibility for themselves and their environment, as well as others.

During Year 1 and 2 pupils also begin to learn about their own and other people’s feelings, with social skills explored, such as how to share, take turns, play, help others resolve simple arguments and resist bullying. At this stage children also begin to become more practically involved in the life of the school and its local community. Children play an active part in the school council, either as a member or simply by putting their views forward to the class representative.

In RE we explore the wider range of cultures, beliefs and values of different faiths. RE provides opportunities to investigate patterns of diversity of religion and belief and to forge links with different groups in the local area. We increase knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other major religious traditions represented in contemporary Britain and the ways in which they approach or explain fundamental issues of life.

Classroom learning is supported by visiting experts and trips to local religious centres, including All Saints Church Weston and the Bristol Hindu Temple.

This year we held a Diwali Day with the help of local friends, Satyen and Mita Gadher, who spent the day at school helping us to understand how Diwali is celebrated. The children had lots of fun learning to drum and sing a typical Hindu hymn and also learnt some traditional children’s arts, crafts and dance activities.

In Science pupils experience and observe phenomena and look more closely at the natural and humanly constructed world around them.

Biology is a key focus, with our fantastic school grounds and forest school sessions playing an important role in learning. The children are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about what they notice.

Working scientifically is weaved into everything we do, for instance:

• asking simple questions and understanding that they can be answered in different ways
• observing closely, using simple equipment
• performing simple tests
• identifying and classifying
• using observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
• gathering and recording data to help in answering questions

Sport plays a vital role in your son or daughter’s development, helping to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as developing gross motor skills and learning through movement. Sporting activities also encourage self-esteem and instil an appetite for teamwork that extends into the classroom.

Here at King Edward's Pre-Prep, PE is an important part of our daily lives. The children’s day always begins with ‘Wake and Shake’ – a fun, aerobic exercise, set to music. The children enjoy weekly gymnastics, games, dance and swimming lessons with specialist teachers. The after school programme provides further opportunities for sporting activity and includes mini tennis, football, judo and dance.

As they move through Year 2, our children are well prepared with all the necessary skills to take part in competitive team games when they move to the Junior School.