HOME OUR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS USEFUL INFORMATION CURRICULUM PARENTS CONTACTS Curriculum By developing children's knowledge, problem-solving skills and confidence, we prepare them well for the next stage of their education. 3 Early Years In the Rosemead Early Years department (Nursery and Reception) we pay heed to the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidelines but aim to go so much further. Our objective is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum from which the children will successfully progress to the next phase in their education. In the Early Years, we recognise that each area of learning and development must be implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Outdoor play and learning is valued and is considered as having equal value to indoor learning, which is why we have recently refurbished our fantastic play spaces. We have specialist teachers covering PE, Music, Spanish and optional ballet, not something that you would usually encounter in day nurseries. There are seven areas of learning and development. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas, the prime areas, are: 1. Communication and Language 2. Physical Development 3. Personal, Social and Emotional Development We also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are: 4. Literacy 5. Mathematics 6. Understanding the World (feeds into the Key Stage 1 Science, Geography, History and ICT curriculum) 7. Expressive Arts and Design (feeds into the Key Stage 1 Art, Drama and Music curriculum) The ways in which children engage with other people and their environment – playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically – underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner. For more information see: education.gov.uk foundationyears.org.uk Core Subjects English English is a core subject in the National Curriculum and the successful understanding and use of English is a prerequisite for educational progress. We live in a literate society and an ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in written form, and to read widely is essential if children are to achieve their full potential throughout their school days and into their adult life. We aim to develop our pupils’ abilities within an integrated programme of speaking and listening, reading and writing. Pupils are given opportunities for the reinforcement and consolidation of taught English skills across the curriculum. In the Foundation Stage (nursery and reception) the children are encouraged to speak and listen and represent ideas in their activities. They are given opportunities to use language and literacy in every area of the curriculum and are immersed in an environment which is rich in print and offers possibilities for communication. At Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) the children learn to speak confidently and listen to what others have to say. They begin to read and write independently and with enthusiasm. They are able to use language to explore their own experiences and imaginary worlds. At Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) the children learn to vary the way they speak and write, in order to suit different situations, purposes and audiences. They are encouraged to read a range of text types and genres and respond to different layers of meaning in them. They learn how the structure of language works and explore its use in narrative and non-narrative texts. By the time they transfer to secondary school most children have acquired a fluent and confident hand. Mathematics At Rosemead Mathematics is a strong subject and we achieve excellent results in Key Stage 2 SATS, National Curriculum tests and in the entrance examinations to local independent secondary schools. Mathematics is a core subject in the National Curriculum and at Rosemead we follow many aspects of the New Framework guidelines for numbers and algebra, shape, space and measures, handling data and beyond. Mathematics is taught so that learning is exciting and all pupils are encouraged to develop their individual abilities confidently. Practical mathematics is used successfully and children are also encouraged to learn their tables, apply known facts and use mental strategies in their work. Homework plays an important role in Mathematics and is set each day. Year 6 keenly participate in the ‘Primary Schools Maths Challenge’ each year. The children enthusiastically take part in our Maths Week where KS1 and KS2 children meet and share mathematical games and skills. All pupils from Reception and above have access to an on-line mathematics tutor that sets work at an appropriate level for each individual child. The tutor is available 24 hours a day for 365 days per year. Mathematics is a successful, positive subject at Rosemead. Science Science is a core curriculum subject taught throughout the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Children at Rosemead are naturally inquisitive and our science curriculum is designed to encourage their natural curiosity of the world. We seek to give the children opportunities to explore their surroundings and to understand the scientific ideas and processes that they can see happening around them. At Rosemead, we teach science following the QCA Scheme of Work. Science teaching is designed and delivered to engage children and cultivate their knowledge, skills and understanding in this area of the curriculum. We aim to help our pupils live in a rapidly changing world and instil in them a sense of wonder, awe and respect for the planet in which they live in and of which they will ultimately become trustees. Humanities At Rosemead, humanities are taught by the class teacher. Various topics are covered throughout the year across the key stages. In Key Stage 1 the children benefit particularly from a hands-on introduction to the subject with topics such as ‘Old and New Toys’, ‘Homes from the Past’ and ‘Seaside Holidays of the Past’, and include trips to the Museum of Childhood and Eltham Palace. Teachers use varied resources and teaching methods with educational visits playing an important role in the subjects studied. In Key Stage 2 these visits include places such as the Museum of London, the British Museum, the Horniman Museum, the Thames Barrier, Lullingworth Roman Villa, Dulwich Picture Gallery and Bromley Field Centre. In Geography at Key Stage 1, the children think about the street where they live and about their local shops and facilities. The children enjoy local visits to help them learn about the community and with Barnaby Bear they explore and learn about places in the United Kingdom and different geographical features abroad. These visits include Dulwich Picture Gallery, the Fire Station, Horniman Museum and Mountfitchet Castle. The school’s residential visits form an important part of the Geography curriculum in Key Stage 2. Each year it is abundantly clear that these visits, which are in the United Kingdom and Europe, are thoroughly enjoyed by both pupils and staff. Visitors from various organisations and theatre groups are welcomed at Rosemead to share their knowledge of the topics covered, with children having many opportunities to take part in interactive workshops. ‘History and Geography Week’ helps to further raise the profile of these subjects in school. A programme involving workshops and trips to places of interest is arranged throughout the week, encompassing all the children from Nursery to Year 6. Display boards around both sites reflect recent topics the children have been following to help with the celebration of the curriculum areas of Geography and History. Modern Foreign Languages At Rosemead we have a specialist who teaches the children from Nursery to Year 6. The major language being taught is Spanish, but the children are also exposed to French. Enjoyment and self-confidence are fostered through a variety of teaching methods including role-playing, games and songs. The children are taught to understand the written and spoken language and use it effectively in practical communication situations. Computing and Digital Learning At Rosemead we are aware of the changing needs in the world around us and we aim to prepare the children for their future in the digital age. Rosemead provides a fully integrated Computing and Digital Learning Curriculum, and all the children receive Computing teaching from Nursery to Year 6. We have two class sets of Apple iPads and six class sets of Google Chromebooks for classroom use. We have a range of other equipment to enhance learning, including digital cameras and digital microscopes. We also have a variety of robots, from early years Beebot to Sphero in Key Stage 2. There are opportunities for extra-curricular activities to explore Computing and Digital Learning further. Music and Drama Music plays a vibrant part in the life of Rosemead and a huge percentage of pupils participate. The thriving music department is overseen by the Director of Music, aided by ten peripatetic staff. All children have at least two music lessons per week and explore rhythm, composition and singing. In year 1, children learn the violin as part of the music curriculum and in Year 3 they take up the recorder. There are Christmas productions for the Foundation Stage and Carol Services for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Musical productions are performed by Key Stage 2 in the summer term. Extra tuition, arranged during the school day, is available in violin, viola, ‘cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, horn, guitar, kit drums and piano. A number of music groups also meet at lunchtimes. These include woodwind, ‘cello, strings, brass, choir, singing group, Electric Fusion Band, piano group and recorder. Each group has the opportunity to perform regularly, especially in assemblies. Among the highlights of the Rosemead year are a formal Easter concert, the Richards’ Memorial Concert and an informal “Musicians’ Tea” in the summer term. The choir has also performed several times at the Royal Albert Hall, and our musicians have performed as part of Dulwich Music Festival. Physical Education PE and Games play an integral part of the curriculum at Rosemead, taught by our team of dedicated specialist staff and coaches. Each child in the Nursery has one Gymnastics and Movement lesson per week, Reception have two PE lessons per week and Years 1 – 6 have a PE lesson, a Games afternoon and a Swimming lesson every week. At both the Prep and the Pre-Prep, a well-equipped hall and gymnasium is available for a variety of activities. They range from gymnastics and instruction in basic coordination and movement at Nursery level, to gymnastics and indoor games for all pupils. These activities are designed to develop coordination, flexibility, strength and endurance. Weekly swimming lessons are arranged throughout the year for children West Norwood Leisure Centre. Each child works towards a Swimming England award and our school swimming squad has been consistently one of the schools competing in Regional and National finals for the past decade. Rosendale Playing Fields and it’s excellent facilities is the venue for our Games sessions which all children from Years 1 – 6 enjoy on a weekly basis. The Winter programme includes Football, Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Rugby and Cross Country. In the Summer Athletics, Cricket and Tennis are the main sports. All children from the very youngest to our leaders in Year 6 are encouraged to participate in the many and greatly varied extra-curricular sporting clubs which Rosemead offers. We are very proud of the fact that there is a sporting club for all tastes from highly competitive team sports to individual pursuits like Cross Country, to the ‘get out and have fun’ games like Multi-Sports. Competitive fixtures are arranged regularly against other schools in all major sports at Local, Regional and National levels. Training for these squads are held during our many clubs and are led by our amazing specialist sports coaches who have elevated our sporting teams into Regional and National success year after year. Art In the Early Years we believe that creativity is fundamental to successful learning, and endeavour to promote each child’s independence and freedom of expression, through frequent exposure to this curriculum area. The children are given opportunities to draw or paint daily; this is not simply a fun activity for the children, but one which allows them to express their feelings. As the children progress through the key stages, they are taught skills which allow them to express themselves in various styles: to emulate different, well-known artists, as well as developing their own technique. We have an art teacher and an artist-in-residence at our Prep building and an art studio which has been developed to enhance the opportunities for children to work with different media. The curriculum is further enhanced through visits to various art galleries, including our local Dulwich Picture Gallery. Enrichment At Rosemead we recognise that all children are individuals, with different areas of strength and weakness Enrichment at Rosemead is designed to promote children working towards becoming independent and resilient learners who are able to achieve their personal potential. This is achieved through a continuous cycle of ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’ of all children’s progress and needs. Within the funding available, Rosemead will endeavour to identify and provide for additional needs, through ‘Reasonable Adjustments’. This allows all children to join in the activities of the school so far as is reasonably practical and compatible with the efficient education of other children, in accordance with the SEN Code of Practice January 2015 Children with English as an additional language will not be regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because the language or form of language of their home is different from the language in which they will be taught. (Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, DfES, 2015). At Rosemead, EAL children may, however, receive language support from the Enrichment Department to develop their English Language skills. Children with an EHC plan have targets set on a IEP, informed by outside professionals where applicable. An annual review of their EHC plan is conducted in conjunction with any external agencies such as LEA and support services. The Enrichment team provides support to ensure that all children develop confidence in their own abilities and reach their personal potential. Our specialist teachers work with selected pupils, individually or in small groups, offering teaching programmes tailored to the specific needs of each child. Parents of children receiving support have review meetings with the staff, where individual educational plans or personal educational plans are discussed and targets are set. We believe that co-operation between home and school is essential for children to meet their potential and develop their confidence fully. ADMISSIONS OPEN DAYS FEES Rosemead Preparatory School & Nursery, Dulwich, SE21 8HZ · Telephone 020 8670 5865 · Privacy and Data Protection