Battle Abbey Prep School Bexhill Curriculum
Foundation Stage The Nursery children enjoy a straight forward and simple transition into the Reception class with both sets of children attending Forest School together. Learning in the Reception class continues to build on the firm foundations of their Nursery education and the children make exceptional progress; many of the children exceed expected levels of achievement across the Early Learning Goals. If your child has achieved something special at home, be it tying their shoe for the first time, something funny that they said, or anything else you think is worthy of a mention, we will put it on our special “Wow!” achievement board.
Key Stage 1 Curriculum In Battle Abbey Prep School Bexhill’s Key Stage 1 we aim to build upon the enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning fostered by the Early Years, especially the Reception Class. Years 1 and 2 work closely together and, whilst we base our learning on the National Curriculum, we are not restricted by it. Our excellent facilities and grounds enable children to enjoy a wide range of other activities, investigative, creative and physical. Emphasis is placed on the early acquisition of essential literacy and numeracy skills but this is strongly supported by a wide range of subjects and activities designed to broaden their outlook and inspire their imagination. Art and Design, Music and Singing, Physical Education, Swimming, Drama, French and Computing complement the more traditional subjects of Science, Geography and History which are taught as part of their ‘Learning Journey’. At Key Stage 1 children have two double lessons of swimming each week and quickly become confident swimmers. They also have two double lessons of PE which incorporates ball skills, simple tactical games, gymnastics, dance, athletics and early tennis skills. In addition, Year 1 and 2 have Forest School or Beach School each week where they learn about the environment through a wide variety of practical activities. We feel that it is important to encourage both physical and intellectual independence so that the children can begin to take some responsibility for themselves and their learning. We encourage a good working relationship with our parents recognising that learning goes beyond the classroom. Parents’ Evenings and written reports provide a more formal opportunity to discuss a child’s progress.
Key Stage 2 Curriculum Children in Key Stage 2 enjoy being taught by subject specialists and they benefit from the expert knowledge they receive in lessons. Children develop as confident, independent learners within our superbly resourced learning environment where skills such as touch typing are taught for life. Children develop self-confidence through experiencing a broad and enriched curriculum; where the arts and sport are greatly valued alongside academic subjects. Identifying and encouraging individual talents builds a confidence that transfers to all areas of learning. There are numerous opportunities for all children to discover where their particular talents lie. This broad curriculum is enhanced by the wide variety of high quality extra-curricular activities available to the children every day e.g. individual instrument tuition, sport, ballroom dancing, speech and drama, roller dance, kickboxing and water polo at our own swimming pool. Classroom boundaries and opportunities for learning are often stretched through visits within the local area and more distant excursions and field trips.