Thematic Curriculum
In the thematic curriculum 4 subjects that were previously taught separately, namely history, geography, art and design technology (DT), are combined into themed work which is more meaningful to the children.
In key stage 1 there are 3 themes per year for each year group (lasting one term each) and 2 themes in key stage 2 (which covers half a year of work). At present our themes are:
Year 1 | Victorian life |
Year 2 | Looking at London |
You are what you eat | |
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! | |
Year 3 | Crystal Palace and the Great Exhibition |
Prehistoric Britain | |
Year 4 | Romans |
Invaders and Settlers (Anglo Saxons) | |
Year 5 | Invaders and settlers (Vikings) |
Crime and punishment | |
Year 6 | Greece is the word |
Walk like an Eygptian |
When planning for our thematic work we use the best elements of many different schemes of work, as well as original material that teachers themselves have contributed. In key stage 1, the children are introduced to a topic and any prior knowledge is established. The children engage in practical and fun learning activities planned by the teacher, with areas of learning all linked together under a common theme. In key stage 2 the work moves towards children engaging in independent research and they are carefully guided towards this by teacher led whole class sessions and ‘carousel’ work in which some groups are working independently and some groups are working with an adult. These groups then rotate (hence ‘carousel’) for the next session so that all groups get equal access to adult direction. Of course if children encounter problems the staff are still there to help.
By independent research we do not mean that the children are left to work without any adult intervention but rather that the direction their learning takes at this stage is determined by the child. If they are not confident working on answering their own questions it may be that they would work with another child or in a friendship grouping. Some suggestions of what this independent work might constitute are:
library research, using the internet, devising a questionnaire, taking photographs, recording a spoken answer. Answers may be recorded as a written piece, a table, an ICT presentation (‘2 connect’ or ‘Powerpoint’), labelled photographs, a labelled diagram, a picture, a sculpture, a recording, a video, something that is cooked (photographed), a model (photographed), a comic strip etc.
Independent research is arranged when all previous lessons have been completed to a good standard. It may be that some children only get a few sessions of independent work as the emphasis is on quality not quantity.
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Curriculum Home
Details of all the National Curriculum subjects taught at Pegasus schools and curriculum Long Term Plans for each year group.
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Writing & handwriting
Our aim is to ensure that all children reach a high standard of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the written word.
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Spelling & Grammar
How we work with pupils from early years education through to Key Stages 1 and 2.
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Mathematics
We follow the National Curriculum and The Early Years’ Foundation Stage Curriculum for mathematics and teach maths daily.
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Religious Education
We develop positive attitudes and values such as self-esteem, a respect for others and their beliefs and an appreciation of the natural world.
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PE and swimming
Physical Education forms an essential part of the curriculum at The Pegasus Academy Trust.
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MFL (Modern Foreign Languages
At Pegasus we have chosen to teach French (at KS2) as well as some Spanish (at KS1) as our Modern Foreign Languages