Primary Curriculum

Primary Curriculum

Year 1 – 6

Curriculum

National Curriculum of England

6 Learning Gears

To provide the learning skills & values

Seamless Progression

Throughout the primary & into the secondary school

Curriculum Overview

At SCS we follow the National Curriculum of England, and the primary school is broken into two key stages: Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 3 – 6). Our creative, child led curriculum is designed around overarching concepts, which provide students with real life context that integrates and connects all curriculum areas. As a school, we ensure that we offer a consistent and seamless progression as the children transition across the different phases throughout the primary school.

Core Subjects

At SCS, we use a range of exciting teaching and learning styles in English lessons. Much of the children’s work in English is provided within the context of high quality texts and this becomes the main stimulus for generating children’s ideas for writing.  Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding in English to ensure that the children then transfer these skills into all subjects within the creative curriculum.  Lessons consist of a variety of whole class and group teaching.  

A range of teaching strategies will be used including:

  • Demonstration
  • Modelling
  • Explanation
  • Questioning
  • Discussion
  • Role play

All lessons have clear learning outcomes which are shared and reviewed with the pupils effectively, using steps to success as a means of achieving these outcomes.  Children have access to and are able to use a range of resources such as dictionaries and thesauruses to support their work.

At SCS, we encourage the love for reading and incorporate technology in innovative ways. Seesaw enables teachers to plan activities that the children can record reading fluency, practise reading strategies and develop comprehension skills. Y3-6 students use Century to design an individual pathway for Reading. Tasks are set during Guided Reading sessions. 

Years 1-6 complete a Shared Read every Sunday to introduce the reading strategy of the week. Teachers model using the skill when reading to support students later in the week when working independently. Class teachers complete two sessions of Guided Reading per week. The sessions give students opportunities to explore Myon, century, AR quizzes, reading support with teachers and teaching assistants and develop comprehension skills.

At SCS, in mathematics the programs of study are organised in a distinct sequence and structured into separate domains. Pupils should make connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems at a mastery level. By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant program of study. The White Rose Scheme blocks are followed in Years 1-6 to ensure the constant progression within lessons of fluency, reasoning and problem solving.

At SCS, the science curriculum will develop within pupils their; curiosity, enjoyment, skills and a growing understanding of science knowledge, through an approach in which pupils raise questions and investigate the world in which they live.Equality of access to the science curriculum implies courses of study that are geared to the different needs and abilities of the pupils. All pupils will be taught the same key skills and content for each component of the science program of study. Schemes of work will be designed to enable pupils who may not have mastered those skills to receive extra support, whilst others will enrich their learning through extended topics, in readiness for moving on to the next component.

Children studying Arabic A are registered with the school and KHDA with an Arabic passport. Their lessons are taught fully in Arabic. Arab students follow the standards set in the National Curriculum Document for Arabic first language and use the Ministry of Education prescribed textbooks as the main resource in their curriculum.

Children studying Arabic B are non-Arabic speakers who are learning the language. Their lessons are taught predominantly in Arabic. Non-Arab students follow the curriculum standards and expectations as set in the updated Ministry of Education framework for Arabic as an additional language.

Children studying Islamic A are Muslim children registered with the school and KHDA with an Arabic passport. Their lessons are taught fully in Arabic. The students follow the standards set in the National Curriculum Document for Arabic first language Muslim learners and use the Ministry of Education prescribed textbooks as the main resource in their curriculum.

Children studying Islamic B are non-Arabic speaking Muslim students. Their lessons are taught predominantly in English. Islamic B students follow the curriculum standards and expectations as set in the updated Ministry of Education framework for Non-Arab Muslims.

At Safa Community School we use a range of exciting teaching and learning styles in Social Studies lessons. Much of the children’s work in Social Studies is provided within the context of high quality texts, videos and images and this becomes the main stimulus for generating children’s discussion ideas.  Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding of the UAE whilst ensuring that the children then transfer these skills into all subjects within the creative curriculum.  Lessons consist of a variety of whole class and group teaching.  Children will be encouraged to work independently and collaboratively both in pairs and groups.  A range of teaching strategies will be used including: inquisition, demonstration, modelling, explanation, questioning, discussion and role play.

At Safa Community School we use a range of exciting teaching and learning styles in Moral Education lessons. Much of the children’s work in Moral Education is provided within the context of high quality texts, videos and images and this becomes the main stimulus for generating children’s discussion ideas.  Our principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills, and understanding of Moral Education to ensure that the children then transfer these skills into all subjects within the creative curriculum.  Lessons consist of a variety of whole class and group teaching.  Children will be encouraged to work independently, collaboratively, in pairs and groups.  A range of teaching strategies will be used including: demonstration, modelling, explanation, questioning, discussion and role play.  All lessons have clear learning outcomes which are shared and reviewed with the pupils effectively, using steps to success as a means of achieving these outcomes.  Children have access to and are able to use a range of resources such as dictionaries and thesauruses to support their work. Children use ICT in Moral Education lessons where it enhances their learning

Specialist Teaching

At SCS we aim to provide pupils with a love of Physical Education & Sport. Inclusiveness is at the forefront of everything we do, whether that be in PE lessons, the ECA programme or the Sport representative squads that are available for our students. 

We believe students learn most effectively when they are having fun and taking ownership of their learning. A progressive,  developmental curriculum and supportive PE team  ensure that all students are equipped with the skills and confidence required to participate in physical activity and Sport during their time at Safa and beyond. 

The PE curriculum is designed to support and improve your child’s physical literacy. As students transition through each key stage exposure to a wide range of sporting environments is provided to ensure the development of fundamental movement skills and sport specific techniques.

The PE team challenges students to become young leaders by providing opportunities in every lesson for them to take ownership of their learning and  use their learning skills to improve both their own and their peers’ performance. As students move into Year 6 they will have the opportunity to participate in  our successful Sports leadership programme where students become involved in the planning and delivery of many of our Community sports events throughout the year.

Swimming is very much at the forefront of the Physical Education programme here at SCS, our Primary Students swim every week during Term 1 & 3. 

 

Water safety is of vital importance to us; we have fully qualified lifeguards on poolside for every swimming lesson and we ensure that children are being taught in a small group, with low pupil to teacher ratios, allowing for both high quality teaching and the highest level of safety.  The Swim programme exposes children to the eight core Aquatic skills that are required to become competent and confident swimmers. 

 

Swimming begins in FS1 where students will develop water confidence and water safety in our learner pool. When students are ready they transition into our 25m pool where they embark on our learn to swim programme where there is a key focus on the core aquatic skills and stroke development. Our Swim programme ensures that all children master a key life skill whilst also providing a large number of opportunities to expose students to a competitive swim pathway through our Inter house and Sports ECA programme.

At SAFA, computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into the various ways computing systems work. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate, learn about the importance of E-Safety,  and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology. We are aiming to build Computing and Digital Literacy skills at a level suitable for potential career prospects.

At SCS, Art is taught to provide children with opportunities to explore their ideas by experimenting, inventing and creating their own works of art. Whilst using a range of materials, they learn how to draw, paint, sculpt and explore other art, craft and design techniques. Through stimulating activities, pupils are encouraged to appreciate colour, texture, tone, line, shape, form and space and identify how it is embedded across all areas of Art. At SCS, importance is placed on pupils thinking ‘Critically’ and in Art, activities have been implemented into the lessons to encourage the exploration of these skills. This has a beneficial impact on how children self assess, evaluate, reflect and modify their own Artwork. Throughout the year, pupils will learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers. They will explore the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and make links to their own work. For children that have a keen interest in this subject area, there are opportunities to attend a range of Extra Curricular activities and apply to become an Art leader.

At SCS we are using the National Curriculum for England standards to ensure that all students recieves in-depth and stimulating musical experiences within their regular music lessons. KS1 and KS2 take part in one music lesson a week.

In KS1 students will make a variety of Sounds with their voices, bodies and instruments as well as will explore how these sounds can change and be used expressively. Children will play percussion instruments with control, paying attention to dynamics, tempo and pitch as well as will create their own rhythmic patterns and accompaniment for the songs.

In KS2 the children will have a deep understanding of how music is created, produced and communicated through the interrelated dimensions such as pitch, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and music notation. Each topic includes music history as well as music theory. Students learn how to play various instruments such as xylophones, ukuleles and digital keyboards.

All music lessons at SCS are an integrated, practical, exploratory and child-led approach to musical learning. All topics are weaved through to encourage the development of musical skill as the learning progresses through listening and appraising, different musical activities such as playing melodies, accompaniments, composition and performance.

We also offer a wide range of music ECA Clubs such as Ukulele, Guitar, Chime bars, Boomwacker and Choir.

One of the areas of particular focus at Safa Community School is the teaching of foreign languages being offered by subject specialists from Year 1.

Whilst second language options are available in French, Spanish, German and Mandarin, we also offer Mother Tongue French, German and Spanish.

Within the MFL curriculum our aims are that children can learn about different cultures and be engaged in a range of activities which are planned and delivered at the appropriate level for the age and language ability of the group.

In our school the teaching of languages is interactive and stimulating. During the school curriculum time and after school activities the children are given opportunities to engage in conversations and build vocabulary to become more confident in developing their language skills through a gradual approach.

As a through school it is important that our Modern Foreign Language programme in the Primary enables success for when the children enter the Secondary school.

At SCS, Performing Arts is taught throughout Key Stage 2. This subject enables children to build upon their imagination, develop confidence and prepare them for future opportunities. Throughout the year, students develop  their oracy, public speaking and performance skills as well as deepen their understanding of their class texts and themes. At Safa we have a cross curricular and theme based approach, enabling students to use their new skills in all subject areas and bring their learning to life.  For children that have a keen interest in this subject area, there are opportunities to attend a range of Extra Curricular activities and compete against other schools in debating, reading and public speaking competitions, as well as perform in our school productions.

Free Flow  provides children in Year 1 and Year 2 with the opportunities to independently make choices in their learning, while also developing their knowledge and understanding of the Safa learning gears (Learning Skills).Each child is allowed to make free choices of what they want to do next.

PCaRT provides children in Years 3-6  with an additional specialist session in an area of personal interest. This will enable children to discover their passions over a prolonged period of week (time changes according to the term) but allow them to be reflective in their choices. PCaRT will support them as they prepare for secondary school and in making their curriculum choices.

Learning Gears

At SCS we provide our pupils with the skills to thrive and succeed in this changing world. We believe that children benefit from learning about their own learning. We encourage children to reflect on the way their minds work and make conscious decisions based on these reflections. At Safa, we develop the characters and attributes of our students, alongside their knowledge and understanding of the curriculum.

Our SCS Learning Gears are interwoven throughout the curriculum and daily life at Safa. The Learning Gears provide the learning skills and values that our students need not only to successfully shape their own lives but also to contribute positively to the lives of others and the planet. Safa is a community of learners. 

Identity

Celebrating Uniqueness, Cultural Identity, Daring to be different.

Self Managers

Crafting and improving, Resilience, Reflecting critically, Developing techniques.

TEAM

Contributing positively, turn taking, partnerships. Sharing the product.

Thinking & Questioning

Inquisitive, wondering and questioning, exploring and investigating, challenging assumptions.

Talking about Learning

Collaborating, cooperating appropriately, giving and receiving feedback.

Connect the Dots

Imaginative, using intuition, making connections, playing with possibilities.

Online Platforms

Seesaw is an online learning platform that enhances student engagement. Teachers can empower students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate. Students “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. It’s simple to get student work in one place and share it with families.

Seesaw Login

CENTURY is an AI-powered online home learning platform that tailors study materials to the needs of every child. CENTURY learning ages range from Year 3 to Year 13 and focus specifically around English, Maths and Science. As CENTURY is an AI platform, it is able to develop an individual education plan for each child. Every individual path, as it is referred to in Century, is different in order to challenge all students across all ability groups.

Century Tech Login

Busy Things provides curriculum-linked content that can be accessed digitally by children in an engaging and fun way. This platform is Foundation stage and also Key Stage 1.

Busy Things Login

myON is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Children are able to independently choose their own book which they are able to read at their own pace. When each child has finished reading their book on myON,  they are then able to complete a short quiz on Accelerated Reader in order to assess their understanding of the text. Each child has a zone of proximal development level which means they can only access books that are appropriate for their age range.

myON Login

Times Tables Rock Stars is a carefully sequenced programme of daily times tables practice. Each week concentrates on a different times table, with a recommended consolidation week for rehearsing the tables that have recently been practised every third week or so. This format has very successfully boosted times tables recall speed for hundreds of thousands of pupils over the last 8 years in over 16,000 schools – both primary and secondary – worldwide.

Times Table Rockstars Login

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