English is a core curriculum subject and includes speaking, listening, reading, writing and drama. Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding across all these areas.

Speaking and Listening are fundamental skills and we appreciate the importance of teaching and supporting these from a young age. We encourage the children to work collaboratively, share their thoughts and ideas and practise speaking in sentences before being expected to write them. Children who struggle with communication and language are quickly identified and supported. 

In the Early Years, writing is taught through shared writing and small group work, this is guided by Development Matters. Within Key Stage 1 we are guided by the expectations in the National Curriculum and we teach writing within our literacy lessons, using lessons from the Literacy Tree scheme. In Literacy we write everyday and use a range of hooks, prompts and scaffolds to make writing enjoyable and meaningful. We use high-quality texts suggested by the Literacy tree as a foundation for high-quality writing. We encourage children to write across the curriculum in different subjects as well as ensuring children enjoy the chance to hear stories and take part in drama through our Wise about Words partnership with Norwich Theatre. 

Phonics and reading

We follow the Read, Write Inc scheme to teach phonics. Read Write Inc. Phonics is a literacy programme developed by Ruth Miskin and published by Oxford University Press.  This teaches phonics in a lively and engaging way, which encourages children to sound out and blend words quickly. Our phonics lessons are comprised of the speaking, handwriting, listening, spelling and reading elements of Read Write Inc.

In the programme children learn sounds and the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters. Then, they read books written using only the letters they have learnt (and a small number of separately taught 'tricky words'). This gives the children plenty of early success and builds up their reading confidence.

Information and guidance on the Read Write Inc. programme and its mission can be obtained by following this link:https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/about-us/mission/ 

As a school, we understand the importance of reading for pleasure and make time each day to share stories together as a class everyday. Some classes vote for which book they would like to hear that day. 

Children then bring home book bag books which are from the Read Write Inc programme and are at the child’s appropriate level.

Because we value the importance of children reading at home, we encourage them to take books home to share with parents and carers  in addition to their 'scheme' reading book-bag-books. This link gives information for parents on how you can support your child reading at home. https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents-copy-2/

Vision for Science

Science

In Science I will learn to ask questions about why things happen in the world around me and find out answers by investigating and testing.

People who work in science are called scientists. 

At Arden Grove Infant and Nursery School  we want to ensure that all children are aspirational and  inspired. Therefore,  we teach Science and Outdoor Learning  every week across the school  creating a love of Science and stimulating curiosity from an early age. Some of these sessions take place in our outdoor learning space and around our Cob-Lab. We want children to be able to think scientifically and take risks with their learning  through  hands-on outdoor experiences and enquiries. Throughout the school the children are taught the skills of enquiry; asking questions,  making predictions, setting up tests, observing and measuring, communicating and interpreting results and evaluating and these are prompted by the enquiry symbols seen in every class. We want children to feel passionately about caring for the environment and living things and to develop an understanding of the effects of the everyday choices which we all make. This is why we intertwine Science  with outdoor learning knowledge and skills outside to foster these through experiences.

We follow the Developing Expert Lessons which teach Science knowledge and Scientific enquiry skills. The lessons use a variety of exciting videos including 'expert videos' which feature talks from real life Scientists and experts in their field. 

Vision for Computing

Computing

In Computing I learn how a computer follows instructions and how to make a technology work through programming and how to use the internet responsibly and safely.

Many jobs use technology but people who work in computing are called programmers and coders.

We believe  that  computing has a very vital role to play in this generation of young children. Technology already forms an important part of their lives and this role will be even greater in years to come as we begin to prepare our computer scientists for jobs which are yet to be invented. We use computing in many areas of the curriculum to enrich learning opportunities, while also empowering children to conscientious and critical digital citizens. We use the Governments Teach Computing Curriculum and resources to support planning and progression of skills and knowledge. It teaches the major themes: algorithms, computing systems, creating media, data and information, design and development, effective use of tools, programming, safety and security in a safe and child appropriate style. The school recognises the importance and it’s duty to keep children safe online and holds regular online safety events as well as online safety lessons. 

Vision for History

History

In History I will find out about people, events and objects from the past.

People who study history are called historians. 

At Arden Grove when teaching History we begin in the very recent past, looking at the children’s own history; their family experiences and photographs. We also focus on local changes. The use of historical artefacts and visits to local places of interest help children to understand how and why changes occur. We commemorate significant historical events and use stories from the past to help the pupils' historical understanding.  We encourage and develop deeper thinking, historical vocabulary, asking questions and the forming of opinions based on what we have found out. Each class has a timeline with significant events to help children develop chronological awareness as well as a sense of world and British History. 

Vision for Geography

Geography

In Geography I will learn about the natural and human parts of the world. 

People who study Geography are called geographers.

At Arden Grove, we recognise that geography should develop a child’s natural curiosity and fascination about the world.  We ensure all of our learning starts with the children’s local area, encouraging children to explore the school grounds and surrounding area from the Nursery. This will lead to a greater understanding of places, people and a greater awareness of their own place within our world and community.  It should help to provoke and provide answers to questions about both natural and human aspects of the world. We want children to feel connected to the world around them and recognise the important part we all play in looking after it. Children will have opportunities to explore and investigate their local area using geographical fieldwork skills and they will seek to make comparisons with other regions in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. They will learn how to draw and interpret maps of their school, local area, United Kingdom and the world. Through carefully planned experiences, children will develop skills that enable them to recognise, describe, explain, compare and evaluate natural and human aspects of the world, gaining respect and appreciation of the world we live in, different cultures and ways of life. We encourage and develop deeper thinking, geographical vocabulary, by asking questions and forming opinions based on what we have found out. 

Vision for Art

Art and Design

In Art I look at and create paintings, drawings, sculptures using lots of different materials.

People who produce art are called artists, painters, sculptors or designers

Our curriculum aims to help the children develop creatively and to foster an understanding and enjoyment of art, throughout the school. In Art & Design lessons children are taught to represent in visual form what they observe, remember and imagine.  They are encouraged to develop skills sequentially in the area of drawing, painting, 3D, textiles and digitally. Our Children work practically and imaginatively with a variety of materials, tools and methods, exploring the elements of art and design, including colour mixing, texture, pattern and form in two and three dimensions. Children are taught skills to help them succeed in using different mediums, media and materials and final pieces are celebrated as well as the process. 

Vision for Design and Technology

Design and Technology

Design and technology is where I explore designing and making products for a purpose, and then evaluating how successful they are.

People who work in Design and Technology are designers, testers and manufacturers. 

Design and Technology skills are taught through projects within a learning theme, structured through the steps of test, plan, make, evaluate.  In Design and Technology, children are taught new skills and techniques as well as practising previous ones. These skills are then used creatively to design and make objects for a purpose using a range of tools and materials.  Children are introduced to following  a design criteria and to select the materials and tools they will need. Children are encouraged to evaluate their finished work to see which elements were successful, and how they could improve their  work.

Vision for Religious Education 

In Religious Education I learn about different religions of the world and their traditions, practices and beliefs. I accept and celebrate how everyone’s lives are unique and may have things that are the same or different.

The Religious Education curriculum is taught in accordance with the new Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, a copy of which may be viewed Norfolk Agreed Syllabus 2019  The children are taught to have respect for people’s beliefs focusing on the religions of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and people with multiple faiths or those with no religion, in a way that is appropriate to their age and level of understanding.   They are taught through a multidisciplinary approach which include philosophy, theology and human or social science Assemblies provide opportunities for moral and spiritual development through the use of a variety of poems, stories, music and occasional visits from representatives of various religions.  We celebrate religious education through half termly ‘Faith Days’ where the children take part in religious enquiries from the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus and may enjoy the links we have with the local community, have visitors coming in or groups having a chance to visit a place of worship. 

Parents have a right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship.  Please talk to the Headteacher about alternative provision provided as this will depend on individual circumstances.

Vision for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Learning

In Outdoor Learning we explore and are adventurous outside. We are curious and learn  about how the world changes around us through the seasons.  We take wonder in the natural world and learn how to care for it. 

At Arden Grove Infant and Nursery School, we believe that outdoor learning enables our children to develop and nurture their self-belief, confidence and our school's other values where every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential in a learner-led enabling environment. In Outdoor Learning our children learn through hands-on experiences to develop fine and gross motor skills, to assess and manage risk, to practise and achieve goals, to enquire and investigate, whilst embracing the challenges that working outside in all weathers can present.  We create a time and space for the children to enjoy, respect and look after themselves, others and all living things in their outdoor learning area, whilst developing their interests, knowledge and skills.  Wellbeing and health (mental and physical) is an integral part of our school and outdoor learning sessions.   The school outdoor learning area includes a wild area, our Cob-lab with pizza oven,  fire circle, mud kitchen, pond, and a wooded area with rope swings, a hammock, a slackline, rope ladder, adventurous terrain, growing beds, climbing routes and loose parts play equipment.  Class teachers are encouraged to use the outdoor space to make real life curriculum links and take learning outdoors, especially in Science. We are always proactive in developing our outdoor learning space and work with our local community, our school council and children to plan and make this happen. It is our intention that every pupil develops a real passion for the great outdoors and celebrates their local, natural environment.  We wish for every child to develop a knowledge and passion for their local habitat and how to look after and nurture it.