Subject Information

Please read below for information about specific subjects in our school. If you have any questions about our curriculum or would like to know more, please contact the school office. 

Core Subjects

English and Maths are core subjects and take up a significant part of our learning time here at East Peckham Primary. Please click on the stars to find out more. 

Foundation Subjects

At East Peckham Primary we have carefully organised our curriculum  so that wherever possible subjects complement each other and can be linked by a concept. The organisation of each subject focuses on building upon children's learning which is why our progression documents explicitly identify when prior learning has taken place. It is imperative that children build upon their learning at every opportunity, which is why children are given time to make connections between their learning. 

At the end of the subject progression documents you will also see the cumulative assessment that we use to ensure we are guiding children towards obtaining both substantive and disciplinary knowledge, so that our children can go on to be the historians, geographers, scientists, linguists, designers, athletes and artists of the future!

ART

At East Peckham Primary we want to promote a life-long passion and appreciation of art and the many forms it takes.   The value of art in a child’s life is crucial; it can provide an outlet for emotions, experiences and knowledge.  Art enables children to use their imagination, make connections, explore ideas, develop perseverance and concentration and understand the value of practice.  Children use analytical skills and problem solving when testing their ideas and develop observational skills which aids their visual thinking. Visual thinking helps children learn other subjects and is a skill used in a wide variety of professions, including the sciences as well as the arts. Our school plan includes learning about artists from different backgrounds and have differing beliefs to develop tolerance and respect in our children as well as exploring a range of techniques. As a school we also recognise the impact art has on children's wellbeing.   Expressing feelings and ideas through art, taking ownership of their work, feeling a sense of achievement all contribute to building children’s confidence and self-esteem.

COMPUTING

Coverage of the computing curriculum in our school ensures all children get to experience a wide range of software on different devices. There are termly E-Safety lessons to help all our pupils use the internet safely, sensibly and gain an understanding of what to do if they come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Throughout the year children will have the opportunity to experience and use a wide range of computer related devices and resources in fun and diverse lessons both in and out of the classroom. The lessons run alongside a variety of subjects, allowing children the chance to work in a cross curricular manner. We have multiple trolleys of modern Chromebooks which are used by classes in the classroom. We believe technology should be present in the classroom throughout the day as it allows the children access to a whole new and exciting world beyond East Peckham. 

As art of the curriculum they will have the opportunity to use a range of software, apps and online resources including Google G-Suite, TTRockstars (https://ttrockstars.com/) and Discovery Coding (https://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/what-we-offer/discovery-education-coding) to produce their work in new and exciting ways. Not only this, but they will also learn about the computing industry and how it has shaped their past and is shaping their future.

Programming (coding) can be found in almost all areas of our lives and in the electronic devices we have at work and at home. At East Peckham Primary, children learn the basics of programming, with year 6 being extended to use a language of coding which is even used in the industry.

We aim to make all lessons creative, diverse and fun! Computing does not only happen sitting at the computer, but will also include the use of Chromebooks, iPads and cross curricular writing and games. Throughout each lesson, children also learn various skills that they can use not only during their time at school, but throughout life.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

Design and Technology learning is hugely important at East Peckham Primary School. By thinking creatively and incorporating other subjects such as English, maths and science, we strive to make DT lessons fun, engaging and purposeful.  We give children opportunities to design, develop and make functional products which allow them to acquire skills, knowledge and understanding.  This enables them not only to become proficient in practical life skills such as cookery, but also to develop critical thinking and a wider understanding of technology, people and the environment.  We feel it is vital to nurture and inspire creativity and innovation so that when they leave our school they carry this passion and curiosity with them.

GEOGRAPHY

At East Peckham Primary, we want the children to know more, do more and remember more. We believe that geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it, in order for them to prepare for real life and become global citizens. The geography curriculum at East Peckham Primary enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which can and are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops and understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of East Peckham and Kent so that they can develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special. 

Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of geographers:  An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Britain and the wider world;  a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected;  an extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary;  fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills, as well as effective presentation techniques;  the ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;  excellent fieldwork skills as well as other geographical aptitudes and techniques;  the ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society and the environment;  a genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here.

As children progress throughout the school, they build on the knowledge and skills from the year before, to develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context, broadening their life views and preparing them for real life ahead.

HISTORY

At East Peckham Primary, we believe that high-quality history lessons inspire children to want to know more, do more and therefore remember more about the past and to think and act as historians.

Our teaching of history will develop a well-rounded knowledge of the past and its events, with the intention to improve every students’ cultural capital, understanding of the world around them and their own heritage; also to help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim for it to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the past and to know more about the past. We aim to enable children to adopt enquiry based learning, within which they ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. Through the teaching of history we endeavour to teach children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.

History lessons focus on enabling children to gain ‘sticky knowledge’, which means that they can remember and retain  the key facts, but at the same time, developing historical skills, with children working as historians. We intend for our children to have real life experiences and learn about history in an active and creative way. Links to geography and other subject areas are also explored. The planning of learning always begins with the  knowledge and skills that need to be taught, always with a clear end goal in mind. We aim to provide a progressive curriculum that is adaptable to change and current contexts. Finally we want to provide enrichment opportunities and opportunities to apply learning within a meaningful context. 

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE: FRENCH

We believe that learning a foreign language enriches the curriculum and provides an opportunity to foster pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.  We strive to promote our students having a sense of global citizenship whereby they are able to understand their own culture as well as those of others.  We aim for all pupils to develop communication skills including key skills of speaking and listening and extend their knowledge of how language works.  Through our teaching of MFL, we aim to inspire a love of language and promote the benefits that learning a language can add as a lifelong skill to education, employment and enjoyment. Children learn French in Key Stage 2 but have the opportunity to learn other languages when we hold our annual Languages Day. Teachers use the Language Angels scheme to teach their French lessons.

MUSIC

We believe that music is one way to enrich children's learning and broaden their experiences. We aim for every child to leave our school with experience of playing a tuned musical instrument. Starting with xylophones and then onto recorders as they move through the Key Stages. We also wish to broaden their experiences by learning about different forms of music from urban music to more classical styles. The children will be given opportunities to compose, perform, evaluate and respond to a range of music developing their ability to reflect upon different stimuli. Whole school singing also takes place once a week in our assemblies where we prepare for services such as Harvest and Christmas and rehearse for the performances we put together for our parents. 

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PSHE)

At East Peckham Primary School we aim to promote healthy, independent and responsible members of society, and we encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. We teach PSHE in a variety of ways: as a discrete subject, through following  lessons in the Jigsaw scheme, via assemblies, through other curriculum subjects, outdoor educational visits, community activities and charity work.

The Jigsaw scheme is effective in raising self-awareness, group awareness, collaboration skills, teamwork experience, respectfulness, and in preparing children for the wider world and their position in it. This approach consists of six different ‘puzzles’ (half-term units of work) each containing six ‘pieces’ (lessons). The six puzzles are called: Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships and Changing Me. These puzzles are taught across the school so the learning deepens and broadens every year. 

Through our PSHE approach in discreet lessons and through the other subjects in the curriculum which is driven by our key concepts, we aim to develop a child's character and emotional wellbeing. 

At East Peckham Primary School, Relationships and Sex Education  (RSE) is taught as an integral part of our PSHE programme, as well as in other areas of the curriculum, like science and religious education. As part of this education, children learn about the importance of friendships, different relationships, being safe, mental and physical wellbeing, and changes which happen to the human body. Please contact the school if you would like further information about the RSE curriculum.

Please find below a document that shows what we cover in our RSE education through the Jigsaw scheme.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PE)

For more information on PE at East Peckham Primary School, please refer to the Physical Education page:

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

At East Peckham Primary School we follow the ‘Kent Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.’ Children are taught to understand and respect the importance of religious beliefs in the world around them. We aim to ensure that the RE curriculum is challenging, dynamic and relevant to pupils of all ages.  The teaching of RE at our school is enhanced by visits to religious buildings, visits from different community members and the celebration of different faiths. 

In the Foundation Stage, RE is taught through a balance of guided teaching, planned teaching and child led learning. The syllabus enables children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others, and to learn how to form positive and respectful relationships. Within Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, RE is aimed to support pupils in developing their knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews, and to support their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. 

Our Religious Education follows the three main strands of: 

Believing – Children will learn about religious beliefs, teachings, sources of religion, develop questions about meaning, purpose and truth.

Expressing – Children will learn about religious and spiritual forms of expression and develop questions regarding identity and diversity.

Living – Children will learn about religious practices and ways of living and develop questions about values and commitments.

SCIENCE

We endeavour to make science investigative, relative to real life and most of all exciting for all of our pupils. Our aim is to generate a curiosity for science that will stay with them as they grow and move to secondary school and beyond. In doing so we want to inspire a sense of enquiry and allow learning to build upon real life experiences. 

We use the National Curriculum to help us set the objectives within our science topics. Our lessons are carefully planned so that every child can challenge their own thinking and  develop their scientific skills. We give children the opportunities to explore the world around them in a hands on way so that they develop an understanding of the methods, processes and uses of science. Through predicting, collecting, analysing and presenting data in meaningful ways, we want pupils to find answers to their own scientific enquiries. 

As well as having an excitement for science, we want our pupils to leave East Peckham Primary School equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the fundamental need for science, today and in the future.