School Curriculum
As in other state schools, all the children of statutory school age at Elysian International School follow the National Curriculum. This means they follow nationally agreed programs of study in math, English, science, information communication technology, art, music, PE, history, geography and design, and technology. In addition to the subjects specified in the National Curriculum, the school curriculum also includes religious education and cross-curricular issues such as personal and social education, health education, environmental education, equal opportunities, and multi-cultural education.
How we Organise Learning
During the school year, each class’s work is planned around a series of topics or units of work, lasting half a term or a term. The topics are organised so that all areas of the National Curriculum are included over the year.
Classroom displays focus on aspects of the topic and we try hard to make classroom work fun, interesting and meaningful to children. Children are also encouraged to bring items from home into school in order to enrich their topic work. We hope children will experience memorable learning activities each week of their school life.
As well as work related to the class topic, children also work on specific subject areas. In particular, there will be ongoing activities in math’s and English - talking, listening, reading, and writing.
Within the classroom, particularly in the Infants, different activities will often be taking place at the same time.
One group of children might be carrying out a scientific investigation, whilst other groups are writing, doing math’s or making a design. At other times of the day all children will be doing a similar activity at the same time– for example, PE, music, or reading. When a variety of activities is taking place, teachers will normally be working with groups of children or individual children. Children are encouraged to work both independently and collaboratively in a group, according to the task in which they are involved.
Children progress through the levels of the National Curriculum at their own rate. Their progress is carefully checked using ongoing, formative teacher assessment in the infants and juniors as well as summative testing at the end of the year for Key Stage 2 pupils. Children complete nationally organised tests at the age of 7 and11.
Religious Education
Religious education is taught according to the Elysian Agreed Syllabus which develops knowledge of Christianity whilst raising awareness of other religions.
Children meet four times a week in the hall for assembly and once in class. The assemblies follow a different pattern each day of the week, with the final assembly each week providing an opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for the school week just ending. The assemblies provide many opportunities for children to participate.
All assemblies reflect broadly Christian traditions and some are led by Reverend.
All parents have a right to withdraw their child from the daily assembly or from religious education. Any parent wishing to withdraw a child from either assembly or religious education should contact the headteacher. Pupils who are withdrawn from assembly or religious education are provided with appropriate alternative activities.
English
Elysian International School aims to provide an environment where children can learn to communicate efficiently, effectively and with enjoyment through spoken, printed and written English. The school is responding to the requirements of the new Literacy Strategy.
Children are taught to read independently using a variety of methods and schemes. They are introduced to a wide range of attractive and stimulating books in-class book corners, the school library and book shop, including classical, and modern literature from other cultures. Visits are made to the Elysian library.
Children are encouraged to write for many purposes and audiences. They regularly compose stories, poems and descriptive passages, write letters, invitations and reports. The conventions of spelling, punctuation and grammar are taught systematically through their written work and specialised schemes. Written work is revised and redrafted, paying attention to meaning and clarity. Well-presented work is expected using a cursive style of handwriting. Children have opportunities within the school to discuss, debate and relate events in order to become confident speakers and listeners.
Mathematics
Elysian International School aims to ensure that all pupils follow a balanced mathematics programme which will enable them to cope effectively and confidently with tasks at their own level of ability. A variety of opportunities are provided for children to use their mathematical skills and concepts learned in tackling genuine problems and investigations, both through the core curriculum scheme and topic-based work.
The broad range of mathematical topics includes number, gathering and interpreting information, algebra, shape and space and the five aspects of measurement - length, area, capacity, weight and time. Children are taught addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, combined with a quick recall of number bonds and tables, through the development of their mental agility, recording skills and use of both the calculator and the computer. The school responds to the requirements of the Numeracy Strategy.
Science
Elysian International School aims to ensure that through science pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural and physical world in which they live. Scientific knowledge will be taught through schemes of work, including electricity, magnetism, forces (gravity, friction, air and water pressure, pushes and pulls), fuels, heating and cooling, light, sound, weather, the earth in space, health, decay, genetics and pollution. Scientific skills are taught through varied practical activities which build on everyday experiences and existing knowledge. Children predict what they think will happen, attempt to test their ideas fairly, record their results and describe what they have discovered.
Investigations, in which children design and carry out their own experiments, encourage original thinking and develop leadership qualities. The scheme of work emphasises progression in content, concept and intellectual demand appropriate to the ability of the child. In science, we aim to encourage children to develop enquiring minds coupled with concern and respect for resources, the environment, fauna and flora.
Art
Elysian International School aims to draw children’s attention to the purpose, challenge and enjoyment of art, craft and design, whilst fostering an appreciation and awareness of art history and art from other cultures. We provide a broad learning environment in which art can be explored in a personal creative and expressive way to develop individual potential.
In line with the National Curriculum, art is to be interpreted as art, craft and design. Pupils will be taught to use materials, tools and techniques in accordance with health and safety requirements.
Pupils are encouraged to develop their creative, imaginative and practical skills through a range of media including ICT and will experience a variety of artists and styles during art appreciation lessons.
Work from both key stages is displayed in classrooms, corridors and in the hall.
Geography
Elysian International School aims to provide pupils with the knowledge and understanding of geographical processes, structures, places and peoples whilst developing the skills required for geographical investigations.
The study of places begins with the immediate school locality and is later extended to a comparison of an economically developing country and an area in the UK. There are also four thematic topics based on rivers, weather, settlements and environmental change.
Children will develop and acquire a variety of skills to investigate places and themes including map-reading, the use of simple instruments, observation and identification. At Elysian International School our resources include our excellent school grounds and buildings, up-to-date textbooks, atlases and maps.
The geography scheme of work at Elysian International School ensures that all children develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required at a level appropriate to their ability.
History
Elysian International School aims to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of the past. Pupils are encouraged to be aware of varying interpretations of history. Through the use of a range of resources and experiences, the children are given the opportunity to compile evidence, question reliability and make deductions.
We aim to help the pupils develop an awareness of the past through the story-telling of well-known myths, legends, historical events, eyewitness accounts and fictional stories set in the past. Children are encouraged to develop a sense of their personal history and are given opportunities to sequence photographs, pictures and artefacts. They are taught about the lives of famous people and of important local, national and international events.
The children’s historical awareness is extended through studying episodes in Information Communication Technology
Elysian International School recognises the importance of Information Communication Technology and aims to develop all pupils' confidence and competence.
Classes have at least one computer and an Interactive Whiteboard, access to a colour printer and equipment for control and monitoring. The school has a computer suite with 31 CD-ROM machines, a Laser printer and Interactive Whiteboard and continually upgrades equipment.
Pupils are taught to use ICT equipment and software to communicate and handle information, support their problem solving, recording and expressive work. This is often cross-curricular.
Pupils are encouraged to extend their range of ICT tools for communication, investigation and control and are taught to use software to monitor external events. Children are helped to become more discerning in their use of ICT and assess its value. Other subject areas are supported by ICT.
Most recently classes have begun to use interactive voting pods as a tool for teacher assessment.
Music
Elysian International School aims to extend and deepen children’s responses to music through the related activities of listening, performing and composing. This is achieved through television and radio programmes and teacher-directed class lessons. All children are encouraged to compose their own music according to their age and ability. From Class 1 the children are encouraged to represent graphically the sounds they are making.
Performance is an important part of the music curriculum and singing is fundamental to class music-making.
All children are encouraged to perform their compositions, and opportunities are given for school and public performance through membership in the choir and orchestra.
Listening skills are consistently developed throughout the key stages, children are encouraged to listen attentively to all musical contributions.
Throughout the school, there are listening sessions where the children are introduced to the music of a variety of composers.
Design & Technology
Elysian International School aims to develop the process of designing and making a model for a function within a topic. Technology is a part of everyday life, and children are taught to recognise this fact by looking at designs in the home and in the world around them.
Children will be planning, designing and making models using recycled materials and construction toys. All children will be taught skills of cutting, sticking and will form an understanding of the properties of materials. They will begin to evaluate their models and suggest changes.
Children will begin to draw out and think about their designs in more detail before making their models. They will be taught how to use a variety of tools correctly and with safety. They will focus on how improvements could be made and revise their models in the light of experiences learned.
Physical Education
Elysian International School aims to teach pupils, through experience, to know and value the benefits of participation in physical activities. They will be taught to plan, to improve and to evaluate their performance and that of others. Children will be given the opportunity to learn safely how to develop strength, endurance and control of their bodies through carefully structured challenges.
All children follow a balanced program of study for gymnastics, dance, games and swimming in all years with the addition of athletics and outdoor and adventurous activities in Children in Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to represent the school in inter-house and school football, rugby, cricket and netball matches, and tournaments and athletic events.
Sporting Aims
To provide an opportunity to take part in enjoyable activities
To help develop physical competence and skills
To develop the concept of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour
To provide opportunities to work cooperatively with others
To develop the ability to cope with success and failure
To promote through direct, experience the benefits of exercise.
Environmental Education
Elysian International School aims to develop our pupils’ interest in the environment. Through various curriculum areas, we introduce pupils to plants and animals and their habitats, and a range of buildings, both within the school and the surrounding area and also through visits to other sites and areas. Pupils learn about the difficult decisions behind the development of land and are encouraged to think carefully about the problems of pollution and the use of resources.
Personal Health & Social Education
In all aspects of school life, we aim to promote the personal and social development of children. We aim to develop an understanding of how to look after ourselves, basic life skills and interpersonal skills. We help children to understand and come to terms with growing up. Sex education is taught in school as an aspect of personal and social education and is taught in a way appropriate to the age of the children. We also incorporate an appropriate programme on drugs education.