The curriculum
Depth before breadth
King Solomon Academy provides a rigorous curriculum which helps pupils achieve mastery of mathematics and English, which are the building blocks of all further learning.
This emphasis is reflected in the time that we give to these two subjects. This is supplemented by the ‘Everyday a Reader’ and ‘Matheletics’ programme. The academy will endeavour to develop a true love of reading in our pupils, as we know that literacy is the key driver of educational performance and life success.
Specialisms
King Solomon Academy holds two specialisms: mathematics and music.
- Mathematics
Mastery of mathematics is essential in every sphere of life, so we invest in resources to train the best teachers and offer a wide range of resources. We aim to produce confident and expert mathematicians. We will ensure that pupils acquire skills as early as possible. We will help every pupil to maximise their skills and ensure that additional support is always available to ensure every child achieves high levels of maths understanding.
- Music
A music specialism is very powerful as it is not only fun, it is inspiring and involves every pupil. We believe that being part of the KSA orchestra and choir will create a great sense of shared identity as well as enabling our pupils to benefit from the know academic, intellectual and social advantage of musical training.
The National Curriculum
The National Curriculum Programmes of Study are divided into Key Stages:
- The Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage makes a crucial contribution to children’s early development and learning.
We provide children with a rich variety of teaching and learning experiences that are appropriate to their needs. The Foundation Stage is about developing key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentrating, persistence and learning to work and co-operate with others.
The six areas of learning that make up the Foundation Stage curriculum are:
- Personal and social development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Mathematical development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
The outdoor environment is also a very special part of the Foundation Stage curriculum. As such it is carefully planned for and available each day. The nursery and reception classes have their own specially equipped outdoor area.
The teaching to achieve these early learning goals will be through firsthand experience and structured play. The areas of experience will be linked to the National Curriculum. The teacher and teaching assistant will keep records on children’s experiences and attainments. Assessments of development and learning needs will be ongoing throughout the school year. During the first half of the autumn term the teacher will carry out a baseline assessment for every child. This will establish where they are in aspects of their learning and development and help future planning. The results of this early assessment will be shared with parents at the parents evening in the autumn term. By the end of the year the teacher will have built up an accurate profile of the each child’s development. We encourage children towards reading, communication and mathematical skills from the very beginning. Reading is taught through a structured phonics schemes supplemented with a wide range of other books. Books are organised in a structured, graded way to allow children many opportunities for consolidation of key vocabulary. We encourage parents to work with their child at home by hearing them read on a daily basis.
We are always pleased to discuss ways in which they can help their child at each stage of their reading development with parents.
- Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7 years) and 2 (ages 8-11 years)
The core curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2 comprises:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Children also study the subjects below as part of the National Curriculum. These are called foundation subjects.
- Art and Design
- Design Technology (DT)
- History
- Geography
- Modern Foreign Languages (French)
- Music
- Physical Education (daily PE lessons, up to 3 hours week)
Children are also taught Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education.
Religious Education
Non-denominational Religious Education is provided for all children as part of the curriculum and is in accordance with the local agreed Religious Education syllabus. Assembly is an important part of the school day when we meet together as a community. It is a time when we place emphasis on the development of values and attitudes towards each other and the world around us. Assemblies are non-denominational and although they are of a broadly Christian nature due consideration is given to the multicultural society in which we live.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship should they so wish. If parents do not wish their child to be taught the agreed syllabus or take part in short acts of collective worship then they should inform us in writing. Their child can then be excused and suitable alternative arrangements made.
Foreign Languages
We believe that learning a foreign language is important part of our children's academic and social development. As such, all children participate in MFL lessons, which become formal French lessons from Year 2 onwards.
Sex Education
The governors have a policy for sex education, which is available on request. Children’s questions are answered frankly and accurately according to the age of the child.
Parents who have concerns about the content of SRE lessons should contact the Head Teacher for more information about the course. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons. This will need to be put in writing to the Head Teacher.
Extra-curricular activities
We want our pupils to enjoy a rich and varied school life and that includes a wide choice of stimulating extra-curricular activities. There will be clubs and societies, school plays and performances, sports clubs, opportunities to learn additional languages and opportunities to start or join clubs like chess or other games as demand rises. In addition to the regular external visits mentioned below there will be joint activities and competitions with other schools in the area and across London.
School trips
King Solomon Academy believes that our pupils should benefit from visiting places of interest. These experiences will broaden pupils’ horizons and deepen their learning. The academy will endeavour to take regular trips to London museums, galleries, theatres and parks. These will happen in school time. All the trips will be subsidised by the academy, but we will ask parents for a contribution towards the cost where necessary. We would not want cost to be a reason for pupils to miss out, so if parents are unable to make a contribution they should discuss this with the school.
