Core Subjects
English
Children in EYFS and KS1 are taught all of the sounds in the English language and how to write them (phonics). Each child is shown how to apply these to their reading and writing so that independence in these skills develops rapidly. There is a high level of emphasis on developing speaking and listening, including the introduction of new and rich vocabulary. At St Matthew’s, we follow Read, Write, Inc Programme: https://www.ruthmiskin.com/programmes/phonics/
Read Write Inc. Phonics was first created by Ruth Miskin in 2002. It is the UK’s leading synthetic phonics programme with the most respected and comprehensive professional development.
Read Write Inc. Phonics is for children from Reception to Year 4, and children with SEND in older year groups.
We have signed up to Accelerated Reader, which has over 29,000 books categorised to allow children to choose books suitable for them. The beauty of the programme is that when children have read a book, they complete an online quiz which tests their comprehension. The children earn points if they answer questions correctly and this in turn helps build their reading skills. Parents and children can find books of suitable levels by using the following website; http://www.arbookfind.co.uk/usertype.aspx.
St Matthew’s uses ‘Literacy Tree’ https://literacytree.com/, which is a complete book-based platform for primary schools that covers all requirements of the Primary English curriculum. Each year group has a set of high-quality texts that have been chosen to help children grow ideas and expand their minds. Carefully sequenced Writing plans are based on these books, to provide complete curriculum coverage and engage children to write with clear audience and purpose. The technical skills of Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation are taught through the medium of the text. A well-chosen text provides rich language models and structures from which children can learn how writing works and the effect it can have on a reader.
Mathematics
St Matthew’s uses White Rose Maths https://whiterosemaths.com/ to deliver the maths curriculum, White Rose aim to build a whole new culture of deep understanding, confidence and competence in maths – a culture that produces strong, secure learning and real progress. They have a simple mantra – ‘Everyone can do maths: Everyone can.’
White Rose Maths has a wealth of resources that can be accessed at home as well. They follow the CPA (Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract) approach to mathematics and their teaching videos, slides and workbooks are used and adapted by teachers to develop happy and resilient mathematicians who relish a challenge.
Science
St Matthew’s use the Kapow scheme of work for Science. Our aim is for children to be curious about how the world around them works and have respect for how the scientific community has contributed to our past, present and future.
Our science curriculum covers knowledge in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, as well as developing a broad range of skills in working scientifically. The scheme of work is inclusive and meaningful, so that all pupils may experience the joy of science and make associations between their science learning and their lives outside the classroom. We aim to foster a love for new knowledge and skills, to empower children to understand how studying science can help solve arising global challenges. We want our children to be responsible for questioning the world around them.
Our scheme encourages:
- A strong focus on developing knowledge alongside scientific skills across Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- Curiosity and excitement about familiar and unknown observations.
- Challenging misconceptions and demystifying truths.
- Continuous progression by building on practical and investigative skills across all units.
- Critical thinking, with the ability to ask perceptive questions and explain and analyse evidence.
- Development of scientific literacy using wide-ranging, specialist vocabulary.