KEY STAGE TWO (KS2)
The curriculum followed at Key Stage Two (S3 – S6) has the following UK National Curriculum subjects at its base:- Literacy (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening), Numeracy, Science, Information and Communication Technology, Humanities (History and Geography), Art, Music, Modern Foreign Language (Spanish) and Physical Education.
As our students progress through KS2 they are required to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding across all subject areas. It is the intention to ensure that students are provided with ongoing opportunities to develop as effective and confident learners.
The value of meaningful reading is greatly emphasised at KS2 and students can be seen reading a range of genres and materials with enthusiasm, independence and interest. They use their knowledge of words, sentences and texts to understand and respond to the written word. The writing component of Literacy at Saltus aims at developing an understanding that writing is essential to thinking and learning and is enjoyable. The rules and conventions of writing are stressed and, as the students progress, they are taught how to express meaning in different ways. Planning, drafting and editing are crucial elements for developing writers and helps to improve the quality of written work.
During KS2 students use the number system with greater confidence. Counting reliably leads to calculating fluently across all four number operations. The value of mental mathematics is stressed even more and students are encouraged to discuss their strategies and methods. Students explore features of shape and space, measurement and data handling. They are encouraged to use mathematical terminology when discussing any given content area.
Science at KS2 covers a wider range of living things, materials and phenomena. Students begin to make links between ideas and to explain their findings using simple theories and models. At KS2 the teaching and learning processes involve apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas to the content being covered. Investigations are an important element of Science at KS2 along with developing an appreciation for group work, collecting data, making observations and discussion of content.
Information and Communication Technology continues to be a vitally important component of education at KS2. Students are beginning to use a wider range of tools to increase their comfort and fluency with technology. The use of ICT is not limited to the school suite but extends to the classroom via the use of desktops and a mobile library of netbooks. In this way, students begin to appreciate that ICT is not a subject to be learned in isolation. Emphasis is place on correctly using computers as well as the internet as a means for developing research skills and identifying what information is appropriate for the work being covered.
History at KS2 exposes students to learning about significant events, people and places. History is observed from political, technological, economic, social and cultural perspectives. Teachers provide students with varying information sources to aid in the effective investigation of the past, using dates and correct vocabulary to describe events, people and developments.
Geography at KS2 involves investigating a variety of people, places and environments. They discover the reciprocal relationship between the behaviours of people on the environment. Enquiry is a key component of Geography. Geographical skills and resources (maps, atlases, globes, pictures, ICT) are also used on a regular basis.
Art at KS2 involves the development of students’ creativity and imagination through activities that allow then to build on their skills and improve their control of materials, tools and techniques. Students increase their critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art, craft and design from different times and cultures.
Music lessons at KS2 involve singing songs and playing instruments – individually and collectively - with increasing skill, confidence and awareness. Students are encouraged to develop musical compositions with personal improvement, independence and creativity. Students are given opportunities to explore their thoughts and feelings in response to music from other times and cultures.
The introduction of Modern Foreign Languages at KS2 is intended to familairise students with Spanish via instruction from trained specialist teachers. The aim is to provide students with opportunities to develop vocabulary, pronunciations and simple dialogue at the beginning of KS2. As students progress through this stage, they are engaged in general conversation and introduced to the conjugation of verbs. As a result, our S6 students enter Key Stage Three with a firm grasp on the basics of Spanish.
During KS2 Physical Education lessons students enjoy being active and using their creativity and imagination during lessons. New skills are introduced and used in different ways while students learn the rules and strategies of games. Students develop a greater understanding of what they need to succeed in different activities with continued emphasis on developing social skills and an appreciation for P.E.
- At Saltus, we believe that a coherent, engaging and effective curriculum requires clear mapping both within and across grade levels. We pride ourselves on being innovative in curriculum development and are pleased to share our curriculum with parents as equal stakeholders in the educative process. Please click on the ATLAS link below to browse our curriculum maps.
http://saltus-public.rubiconatlas.org