Curriculum
At Queen Elizabeth’s Primary School, our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of our children and our school community. It is progressive and carefully builds on prior learning, beginning in the Early Years Foundation Stage and continuing through Key Stages 1 and 2, where we follow the National Curriculum.
We believe that every child should acquire new skills and apply rich knowledge to real-life situations. Our curriculum encourages curiosity, promotes deep thinking, and supports a broad and coherent understanding across all subjects. We place great emphasis on making meaningful links between areas of learning, helping children to deepen their understanding over time.
Our passionate subject leaders have worked hard to develop an exciting, engaging curriculum tailored to the children in our care. Their dedication ensures that learning is relevant, challenging, and inspiring, helping every child thrive both academically and personally.
EYFS
In Reception, we follow the Early Years Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, published in March 2021 by the DfE. This Framework specifies the requirement for learning and development in the Early Years; it details seven specific areas of learning and development that we must cover in the curriculum. The three prime areas are Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
The additional four areas we must support children with, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied, are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design.
We also include Music and ICT skills in our curriculum. Independent child led learning and play is an important part of the weekly timetable. The amount of time allocated to structured teacher led and whole class teaching increases throughout the year.
For more information on the EYFS Curriculum: EYFS Curriculum
Key Stage 1 & 2
In Key Stage 1, the children learn through an exciting curriculum, which is planned and organised in order to promote learning and personal growth and development. It includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum but also the range of additional exciting and creative activities to enrich the experience for the children.
It also includes the ‘hidden curriculum’, in which children learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave. We aim to teach children how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others while developing knowledge and skills, so that they achieve their true individual potential. Our timetable is flexible where possible, thus ensuring teachers have the ability to integrate lessons, allowing children to become immersed into learning and achieve the highest understanding. Some specialist teaching is also undertaken in subjects such as French, Music, Physical Education (PE) and Swimming.
Throughout Key Stage 1, the learning begins to become more formal in readiness for a smooth transition into the Key Stage 2 curriculum and comprehensive transition activities are planned into the Summer Term of Year 2. Similarly, at the end of Key Stage 2, we aim to prepare our oldest pupils for the transition into Key Stage 3, with a full range of transition activities planned into Years 5 and 6.
For both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 we have long-term curriculum plans. These indicate the topics to be taught in each year group and when; it also shows the key texts to be taught in English. We build on the learning and experiences our children bring from their education in EYFS and the previous year and plans are reviewed on an annual basis.
The curriculum is designed to stretch and challenge, and provide access and opportunity for all children. Teachers will adapt their plans to ensure the pupils are able to meet objectives and consolidate areas as necessary. The curriculum is therefore tailored to be more personalised and is adapted to children’s special educational needs.
We treat children as unique individuals and understand that they develop at different rates. We encourage them to work to their maximum capabilities and to ‘be the best they can’. At a time of constant change in education, it is important that teachers keep abreast of new developments and initiatives by seeking and sharing best practice. Through courses organised by the Local Authority and a variety of other training providers and through schools joining together to share skills and experiences, we know that the teachers at QEGS will always be fully prepared to meet the needs of our children and community.
