These units are developed by the staff and are our way of grouping and teaching the objectives from the National Curriculum in a way that our children will find fun and interesting.
Individual Subjects
Wherever possible, all subjects are based on this overall theme, however these links are not forced and the subjects only linked to the overall themes if these links are strong and purposeful. Where this is not the case, the subjects are taught discreetly.
All children enjoy weekly music lessons from Portsmouth Music Services and take part in different events to practise and enhance their skills.
We aim to teach children how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others while developing their knowledge and skills, so that they achieve their true potential. PSHE (personal, social and health education) is an ongoing focus throughout the year and we have written a programme to suit the needs of the children at Beacon View. All year groups follow the same theme each half term, for example during Spring term, everyone learns about Relationships. This progressive teaching approach further embeds prior learning and allows all children to revisit, recap and build upon the skills they have learnt the year before, whilst preparing them for the future.
In Years 5 & 6, children take part in relationships and sex education lessons which are normally led by teaching staff. Parents are invited into school before these sessions start so that they can see what the children are taught and parents are also given an opportunity to decide whether they would like their children to participate in these sessions.
Checking your Child’s Progress
Every child’s progress and attainment in English and maths is constantly assessed through both informal methods (staff observations, discussions and marking) within each lesson, and more formal methods (assessments) at regular points throughout the year. Alongside these assessments for the core subjects, we have recently introduced key questions to all of our curriculum units and use the children’s responses to these (written or verbal) to assess their learning in all foundation subjects.
Extra Curricular Activities
Running alongside our curriculum, we have an extensive programme of extra-curricular clubs at lunchtime and after school, including a STEM club, where this term the children will get the opportunity to visit and take part in activities at the science laboratories of our local secondary school, Castle View.
Extra-curricular clubs are updated every term and the children given the opportunity to choose new clubs. Please visit the school office if you would like to know what clubs are available this term.
Have your say!
Parents and carers get up to date information about our topics through a half-termly newsletter sent home to every year group, Last year, we also ran 4 parent workshops on the curriculum and more will be scheduled in for later this academic year.
Parents enjoying the refreshments at a curriculum session!
We also have a suggestions box in the reception for parents to use and encourage parents to share their thoughts and ideas with us so that everyone has a say in how the curriculum is taught and developed.
If you would like any further information about the curriculum taught at Beacon View, please make an appointment to meet with Mrs Gwilliam, a member of the extended leadership team.