Curriculum Information
Click on the subjects below to find out more about the curriculum at Crescent School.
Art and Design
Crescent School allows all pupils to experience the benefits and enjoyment of studying Art and Design through practical application and passionate teaching. We are fortunate to have a specialist teacher leading stand alone lessons for the older pupils who as subject leader co-ordinates a full programme throughout the rest of the school.
Art is important in developing children’s awareness of their environment and the development of cultural identity. Art is not just for the making of artists but can teach individuals self-confidence and creative and critical thinking. At Crescent this is done by examining the work of others including iconic masterpieces, experimenting with a wide range of materials and mediums, and encouraging the pupils to analyse their own outcomes within the context of the project starting point.
Typical topics will include Cubism and Expressionism in 2D and 3D, exploring fragmentation of images and use of colour and pattern. Students will also explore art and cultural identity by looking at art throughout history all over the world. Throughout all their work, it is the development of the children’s creativity that is paramount so they are constantly encouraged to reflect on their own progress and be involved in collaborative evaluation of their work and that of others.
Computing (ICT)
At the Crescent School we recognise the vital importance of ICT and technology in the modern world and instil this in our pupils through both discreet Computing lessons and the wider use of technology
in the classroom. Computing equips children with a range of fully transferrable computational skills – flexibility, adaptability, creativity and critical thinking skills that they can utilise to express themselves and make themselves stand out in the future workplace – active participants in a digital world.
We have our own state of the art Computer Suite where the children have a networked computer each to work on. Also, they have access to tablets to learn about touch screen technology and to support learning. Computing is taught from Reception to Year 6 weekly with pupils learning a wide range of skills from programming to multimedia skills, to understanding how computers work and more.
We have computers in every classroom as well as an interactive whiteboard or screen. Each subject can book the Computer Suite and use the facilities to enhance learning. Children can use the computers in the morning, at lunchtime and after school as well if needed.
Digital Citizenship is taken very seriously at Crescent, providing pupils with the skills not just to keep themselves safe online, but also the ability to participate, safely, intelligently, productively and responsibly in the digital world. We follow the ‘Education for a Connected World’ framework, made up of 330 very positive ‘I can’ statements broken down into 8 key areas. This is incredibly progressive as well as age-appropriate, allowing the pupils to develop into safe and secure digital producers and creators as they move through the school. The most powerful defence against online dangers is education, teaching children not to live in fear of technology, but to be able to sensibly and safely use it to enhance and enrich their daily lives.
Children who have moved on to senior school often report that the skills they have learned at the Crescent mean that they are ahead of the class at their secondary school.
Design and Technology
As Design and Technology is so integral to our society and culture, it is important we show our pupils how they can influence future product designs in their lives.
At Crescent we teach pupils the design process from research to evaluation through hands on practical experiences. Research leads to the development of design specifications that pupils use to formulate and create their products. We encourage pupils to have confidence in their own unique ideas when solving problems and presenting solutions to a range of design challenges and to recognise that continual review and improvement is a critical part of the design process. The pupils develop their analytical skills through evaluation of both the process and product.
Design and Technology lessons provide experiences that introduce techniques and methods in construction, electronics, renewable energy sources, mechanisms, textiles and food technology. This may be through designing and making bridges, marble runs, electronic games, moving vessels, kites, Christmas stockings, packaging and healthy meals. It is taught as a specific subject in Years 1 to 6 in blocks throughout the academic year. The children are taught by a specialist teacher to develop their practical skills and they have access to a wide range of technology, tools and materials to enhance their learning experiences.
English
Here at Crescent School a love of English is developed through being motivated and confident in reading, writing, speaking and listening. We recognise that the skills of English are implicit in all curriculum areas. The children are taught by class teachers in Reception to Year 4, from Year 5 English is taught by the English specialist.
We aim to help children to develop a love for the English language through the spoken and written word, by developing a literacy rich environment. We explore books as a stimulus; guiding the children to learn the skills required to write in a variety of genres and types of text, building and progressing with their grammar and punctuation as they move up through the school.
Children’s reading is listened to by an adult most days from Reception and through Key Stage 1, allowing for a firm foundation in their skills, this is then supported and extended in Key Stage 2 through the introduction of Accelerated Reading which motivates and tracks what the children are reading.
The children are encouraged to have pride in their writing, starting to learn a cursive style from Reception, which progresses through their time at Crescent, developing from pencil to handwriting pen through Year 3 and 4, to become accomplished in penmanship. Our children feel happy and confident and supported in their literacy and so are fully prepared through school for lifelong learning.
Phonics are a regular part of lessons in Pre-prep. This is run alongside spellings. Spelling patterns are taught through the school and the children do have spelling tests to check their learning.
Forest School
Forest School is an approach that promotes self-esteem, creativity, confidence and independence. It enables supported risk-taking, child-centred learning, exploration and play. Activities are child initiated, allowing children to explore and make choices about their own learning while encouraging children to be physically active.
The variety of sessions and activities that are offered provide a host of learning experiences with staff supporting the natural curiosity children have for the world around them and providing the necessary tools to work out answers to questions independently. The benefits of Forest School are wide ranging and include increased self-belief, confidence and concentration as well as improved mental and physical health, communication and problem-solving skills.
Children in Reception will have regular sessions throughout the whole school year while the rest of school will have sessions as part of our Outdoor Learning curriculum.
French and Spanish
French and Spanish are taught from Reception to Year 6 by Mrs Day, who is a qualified specialist languages teacher.
The curriculum is topic-based so that the children acquire a basic understanding and knowledge of a variety of age-appropriate and relevant topics that will provide a sense of security and enable success. This is achieved through the use of a variety of resources and kinaesthetic methods including repetition, games, flashcards, ICT, songs, role play and worksheets. Every pupil will be able to understand, speak and (in the case of pupils from Year 3) write French and Spanish appropriate to their ability. The lessons are conducted in the target language as much as possible, as immersion will encourage pupils to get used to using their second language casually and within spontaneous conversation.
The youngest children have two thirty minute lessons per week, the older children have a one hour lesson per week. The two skills practised are that of Listening and Speaking in the foreign language with a view of acquiring a large bank of vocabulary and a good accent. Pupils in Year 3 and 4 are introduced gradually to Reading and Writing skills with continued emphasis on pronunciation, intonation and memory skills. The ground covered is familiar and mostly known to the pupils. By concentrating attention on the new skills of Reading and Writing, pupils may build, little by little, on the breadth of their previous oral and aural knowledge. Understanding written language and copying it accurately is stressed upon. Spelling is introduced slowly and progressively to focus attention on association of sounds to letters and the effect of accents (or lack of). From Reception to Year 2, the focus of lessons is an engaging, interactive fun time where children will come away having learned e.g. basic greetings, colours, colours, foods, clothes and animals and also about the cultural differences that French and Spanish speaking countries enjoy.
In Years 3, 4, 5 and 6, the children have an hour-long lesson of Modern Foreign Language a week, developing their knowledge, skills and understanding. The lessons continue to be of an essentially communicative nature. Reading skills are also targeted, with the use of simple worksheets. Writing is developed further, with children applying simple patterns, with also increased opportunities for longer, more complex sentences and independence for those children who are ready for it. A range of strategies is used to engage the children in both languages including the role of ICT, role play, dialogue and practical activities as well as direct teaching.
By the end of Year 6 children should be able to listen, speak, read and write in French and Spanish. Most of all, they will have gained in confidence and they will feel excited about being able to communicate in different languages. The children will have learned about people who live in different countries where French and Spanish is spoken and about different cultures and traditions. Most of all, they will have acquired an important skill and gained knowledge that will stand them in good stead as they grow towards adulthood.
Geography
Geography is taught once a week in cross curricular topics in Year 1 and as part of the ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World’ learning area in Reception. In Years 2 to 6 it is taught as a separate humanities subject once a week.
Geography at Crescent focuses on who we are and how we live in and treat the world around us. We hope to instil a sense of curiosity about the world, the people and its different environments as well as an interest in the issues that develop or threaten our planet. Studies begin with personal geography and works its way outwards via map work, research skills, fieldwork, debate and independent study. Children are encouraged to relate personal experiences as much as possible to make studies of people and places relevant to them.Comparing their own lifestyles to others has led to a connection with Bwengu, Malawi, an area where we raise money for as part of studies on an annual basis. We are proud of this connection and the name Crescent on the side of buildings, thousands of miles away leaving the pupils’ legacy.
In Year 6, children spend a residential week away at a field centre in Devon which includes many cross-curricular skills, but mostly it is Environmental Science that they experience. This residential trip is one of the occasions that stays in the memories of former pupils.
History
History is taught using the progressive skills of:
- Chronological understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of past events, people and changes in the past
- Historical interpretation
- Historical enquiry
- Organisation and communication.
These skills are taught though History topics ranging from pre- historic, ancient History up to the modern day, both around the world and in Great Britain.
In Key Stage 1 History is taught within a weekly lesson. From Year 3 the children have an hour-long lesson taught by the History Co- ordinator. It is important to make History real and interesting, it is an opportunity to investigate, act out, debate, be creative and learn through a variety of teaching styles.
Through their time at Crescent School children will also go on History visits and experience History where it happened.
Latin
Latin is taught to Year 6. We use the “Minimus” course and learn basic grammar and vocabulary as well as about how the Romans lived and what it was like to be a child or a Roman soldier in Britain in the second century AD.
Pupils enjoy discovering English (and French and Spanish) words that they know which derive from Latin. They also have fun making a Latin birthday card, an animal game (matching nouns and adjectives), a stand-up Roman soldier and writing their own doctor/ patient mini play.
Mathematics
Maths is a core part of the curriculum and is taught by class teachers in Reception to Year 4. The subject leader/specialist teaches throughout Years 5 to 6. Our scheme and ethos allows children to be taught as a whole class and have opportunity to experience every skill and topic. There is no streaming, but there is of course adaptive individual work that is suitable and stretches each child fairly and appropriately. We use a web-based scheme that is updated constantly and fully interactive, including a learning platform that is accessible from home. In addition, work books and text book resources are used to support all ages.
We have emphasis on reasoning and explanation of strategy as well as in the application of skills whether it be to measure, ‘real life’ problems or logic and pattern. We aim to build our mathematician tool box of skills and make links and connections between them, these combine as they progress up the school.
Areas of mathematics are used from very early life and our intention is to instil and nurture a curiosity in number and pattern that can stimulate, motivate and ultimately satisfy. We enjoy single skills tasks through to open ended investigation. Mathematical skills are of course relevant across the curriculum and applied regularly in most lessons in some way, shape or form.
Pre-Prep
In Reception through to Years 1 and 2, pupils learn the number system, how to count, read and write it. There is plenty of practical work, discussion and group work alongside the chances to work independently developing skills. Calculations start with single numbers and move into two and three digits mentally and on to informal written methods. Times tables are well on their way by the end of Pre-Prep. Pupils experience shape, space, data and measure in tasks that allow them make decisions and give reasons why. Accurate vocabulary is encouraged and organised layout skills modelled in workbooks and squares.
Upper School
As pupils move through Years 3 and 4, they consolidate previous skills and apply them to the next level of number. More variants, such as fractions, negatives and decimals are focused on. Calculations are formalised in addition and subtraction; multiplication and division of larger numbers are informal. The progression continues in all areas
to the end of Summer Term in Year 6. The opportunities to recall and combine multi-skills in problem – solving and investigation work are plentiful. Vocabulary is expanded and used to describe statistics and geometry.
Throughout, there is an emphasis on collaboration reasoning and explanation to show real understanding.
Music
All pupils are taught Music. Reception and Years 1 and 2 have two 30 minute lessons and Years 3 to 6 have an hour lesson. In addition Year 3 has 30 minutes of recorder tuition a week. Lessons are a mixture of sining, compsing and listening and performing. We have a good selection of tuned and un-tuned percussion; pupils also bring in their own instruments on occasions to use in composition or make a class orchestra.
We are proud of the high standard of Music we achieve at Crescent and the enjoyment that our pupils receive from their participation in concerts and services. Every pupil has a chance to perform on stage in our Pre-Prep Nativities and Lent Term Show, and a high proportion of the Prep pupils have individual lessons and play in one or more of the music groups. The Orchestra and Choir perform at the Harvest and Christmas Cgarol Services and in the end of term concerts. Other groups include Brass Group, Flute Group, Wacky Music and the recently formed Rock Band, along with MiniBrass for Year 2 pupils. We have also established some very successful and enjoyable Choral and Orchestral workshop days for the Choir and Orchestra in conjunction with, the Foundation’s other Prep School.
We offer individual lessons in piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, brass, guitar, drums, singing and keyboard. Approximately two-thirds of pupils in Years 3 to 6 have individual lessons, with some learning two or three different instruments. Pupils work towards examinations from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and achieve an excellent pass rate, with many being awarded Merit or Distinction marks.
Physical Education and Games
Physical Education is a vital part of a child’s education. At Crescent, we pride ourselves on giving the children a lifelong love of physical activity and a large proportion of our children partake in physical activities after school. The children learn the values of working hard to beat your own best, of teamwork, of healthy competitiveness, of following rules. The children are given opportunities, where they want to, to represent the school. This helps to build their self-esteem and confidence.
Being a small school means more individual attention can be given to pupils and they all have the opportunity to be taught by specialists. There is a culture of all children striving to reach their best. A wide range of activities are offered to the children and we do not exclude children from an activity based on their gender.
We have two dedicated Games Afternoons on a Wednesday and Thursday for Years 5/6 and Year 3/4 respectively. These allow teachers more time to develop skills and facilitate more competitive fixtures across a range of sports with other local schools. The time also
allows us to make use of facilities off site which aid the children more effectively.
Children learn individual skills and improve their movement ability when in Key Stage 1. The aim is that they are confident movers and comfortable with a ball by Key Stage 2. In Key Stage 2, the focus shifts to more teamwork and specialised skills. However, the children still work on their athletic ability. Over the last two years, the children’s rate of development has been extraordinary thanks to the programme in place and links that we have established.
Swimming
Swimming is taught across the two terms from Year 1 to 6. Four qualified swimming teachers teach the children in small groups and work on water confidence, stroke technique, stamina, water skills and water safety. Because of this intensive work, the children consistently reach outstanding levels of ability.
Fixtures
Fixtures and competitions are arranged in football, netball, hockey, rugby, swimming, cricket, tennis, rounders, athletics and cross- country. We take part in IAPS and ISA competitions to help to extend our more-able children and have B, C and sometimes D team fixtures to allow more participation from the pupils.
PSHE
PSHE (Personal, social, health education) helps pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage many of the critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face as they grow up and in adulthood.
By teaching pupils to stay safe and healthy, and by building self- esteem, resilience and empathy, effective PSHE teaching can tackle barriers to learning, raise aspirations, and improve the life chances of all pupils. At the Crescent, we follow the Jigsaw mindful approach to PSHE.
Jigsaw PSHE is a comprehensive Scheme of Work for the whole Primary School from Reception through to Year 6. It brings together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development opportunities are mapped throughout.
There are six jigsaw puzzle pieces of learning – Being me in my world, Celebrating differences, Dreams and goals, Healthy me, Relationships and Changing me. All of these pieces of learning are brought together to form a cohesive picture, helping children to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people of the world. Lessons take place every Friday afternoon throughout the school.
Alongside our Jigsaw curriculum, all children will work through the Protective Behaviours Programme which enable the children to identify the right to feel safe all of the time and that it is okay to talk about anything that is worrying them, however small it may seem. They identify significant adults in their lives who sit on their Safe Network and are given strategies to help them identify Early Warning Signs and what to do if they need to act upon unsafe feelings. This is repeated annually and the language is used consistently through school to keep this key area at the forefront of their thinking.
There is a also requirement to deliver Relationships, Health and Sex Education to all our pupils and although this is embedded through our PSHE curriculum, we raise the profile of the importance of positive relationships and physical changes during the Trinity Term. Parents are kept informed of lessons taught, vocabulary used and providing support to their child.
Religious Education
We follow the SACRE RE Syllabus for Warwickshire and this has been updated to include new world views and opportunities to understand and explore alongside developing their knowledge of the main world religions. We will be actively looking for visits to and visitors from all belief systems to give testimony and personal experiences which will give the children relevant and a realistic experience of the curriculum. One of the main objectives for teaching a variety of religions is to inform pupils so they can understand and show a high respect for those of different faiths and none.
As Crescent has a very strong Christian ethos we have an annual Harvest Festival Service and a Carol Service which is held at local churches. We take part in acts of Christian worship and we pride ourselves on our spiritual outlook and sense of good human values which are nurtured throughout the school and paramount in our School Promise. Through assemblies, RE lessons and in individual form times, we recognise a number of faith practices that our own children are celebrating at home. From Diwali to Eid, from Rosh Hashanah to Vaisakh; we continue to respect the faiths of others and broaden our knowledge beyond our own experiences.
Science
We believe that the teaching of Science develops in children a life-long curiosity about the world in which they live, raises an awareness of how to care for and respect their environment and the confidence to develop original ideas and a questioning attitude about our universe.
Through the programmes of study in The National Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2 Framework, pupils acquire knowledge of key topics and develop their scientific skills throughout their primary years. Our teaching allows the iterative revisiting of topics so that pupils can deepen and widen both their knowledge and skills on each successive encounter, preparing them thoroughly for the study of sciences in secondary education.
We deliver science teaching that offers hands on and practical learning opportunities where the children develop ways of finding things out for themselves and gives them experience in problem solving. They develop their own logical and critical thinking and their skills in collaborative teamwork. Through this approach combined with specific teaching their knowledge and skills grow and they become proficient in selecting and using scientific equipment and collating and interpreting results which leads to an increasing confidence in their own ability to draw conclusions based on real evidence. We encourage children in KS2 to recognise and use the most suitable scientific enquiries for their investigations including observation, grouping and classifying, research, pattern seeking and comparative and fair testing.
In science, we encourage the children to be open-minded and to try to make sense of the world around them. The children are encouraged from a young age to fully use their senses to explore and investigate key scientific themes and concepts. We aim to inspire our pupils to develop a passion for science and to lay the foundations for the next generation of scientists.
is taught as a specific subject in Years 1 to 6 and in reception is taught through the Knowledge and Understanding of the World goals. Years 1, 2 and 3 have two lessons of science per week and Years 4, 5 and 6 have three lesson per week. Most of the classes are taught in our purpose-built science room where the children benefit from specialist teaching, resources and materials to support and enhance their teaching and learning.
SMSC - Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Education
At Crescent School we recognise that the children’s development socially, morally, spiritually and culturally is an important part of their education.
We therefore aim to provide an education that gives children opportunities to explore and develop:
- their own values and beliefs;
- their own spiritual awareness;
- their own high standards of behaviour;
- a positive and caring attitude towards other people;
- an understanding of their social and cultural traditions;
- an appreciation of the diversity and richness of their cultures.
All curriculum areas have a significant role to play, but there is a particularly close link between SMSC, PSHE and RE. The subject leaders in these subjects work closely together to ensure a consistent and meaningful approach to the delivery of SMSC throughout the school.
In addition to this, our rich co-curricular programme provides a myriad of opportunities for our children to explore and experience SMSC development. During their time at the school, activities outside the classroom could include performing on stage in productions, learning how to make different dishes in cookery club, yoga and mindfulness sessions, or perhaps working together to raise money for charity.
SMSC education, both inside and outside the classroom, is a thread which runs through our whole school approach, and our aim is that the children move on to the next stage of their education as confident, rounded individuals who value themselves and others.
Speech and Drama
Speech and Drama is taught at Crescent School from Year 1 upwards. This is a fantastic opportunity for all pupils to gain an insight into the world of the theatre from a very early age.
Throughout the year, every child will have their time to perform on stage. This will not only improve acting skills and develop a child’s empathy but has been proven to improve confidence, creativity, concentration, communication skills across the wider curriculum.
Children in Year 3 - 6 work towards examinations from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) and achieve excellent results.
Thinking Skills
Thinking skills is taught in Year 4 and 5; it is a lesson that prepares children for the verbal and non-verbal reasoning elements often in entrance exams and 11+ exams as well as developing wider problem solving and investigative skills. Children are taught strategies and timings, recognising their own strengths and areas to work on.