Main School Curriculum

At Kingscourt academic skills are developed through carefully planned schemes of work, which follow and extend the National Curriculum. The Curriculum in the Prep department is also based on the demands of the 11+ entrance exams. One of the Kingscourt's hallmarks is its recognition of what childhood is about and the foundations are laid for combining hard work with fun. The curriculum is based upon focus and rigour, underpinned by a strong pastoral ethos. We believe excellence involves setting high standards and then creating a climate in which everybody works together to achieve it.  Kingscourt blends the best of the old with the best of the new so we have a full school day which can cope with an extended curriculum where every activity has its place and its value.  It is a curriculum designed to develop:

• self-esteem and motivation;
• study skills (learning how to learn);
• life skills, thinking skills;
• specific academic, physical, musical, artistic and spiritual skills. 

Each pupil's performance will be formally assessed at various stages but the dignity and value of each individual will be upheld and the curriculum embraces the needs of pupils of all abilities. The following information gives you a taste of what our curriculum is aiming to cover. It includes:

Walk into any classroom and you will meet children thinking, questioning and learning.  The atmosphere is friendly and the emphasis is on making everyone feel valued, interested and able to contribute.

English

This is obviously a major part of our curriculum covering spelling, reading, comprehension, literature, language and poetry all of which play a vital part and are blended together to reinforce each other.  We use various approaches and text books which are available for you to look through.  It is a rich and varied language programme.

Maths

Our core schemes are Collins and Heinemann Maths and are fully integrated activity based approaches.  We combine it with an excellent grounding in the basic skills of mathematics.  We encourage pupils to develop a sound, inquisitive attitude to mathematical patterns and structures.  We use many complimentary work books, a variety of multi-sensory strategies, and computer software, providing a valuable opportunity to practice, discover and consolidate in an enjoyable way.

Science    

Our Science programme includes life processes; humans as organisms; green plants as organisms; living things and their environment; grouping and changing materials; electricity; forces and motion; light and sound; the earth and beyond

Preprep themes

Reception: Pets, Journeys, Polar lands, Plants, Life cycles and pond life, Seashore

Year 1: Pirates, Knights and castles, Dinosaurs

Year 2: Water, Rainforests and Inventions

History & Geography (Prep dept)

Careful account is taken of National Curriculum requirements and an agreed consistent system of structured, planned programmes has been produced.  The following information gives you an idea of the areas each subject will cover.

Geography includes: locality field studies; rivers; weather; settlement; environmental change; map skills; orienteering; transport; population; climate; life in other countries; shaping the land (physical geography); food and farming and global location.

History includes: Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Medieval Britain, Tudors, Stuarts, Victorians, 20^thC Britain, The Greeks and The Egyptians

French

Children start learning French in kindergarten at the age of 3.  In the Pre-prep we concentrate on pronunciation, elementary vocabulary and dialogue through songs and games in French.  All the children in the school learn French. The children have a solid grounding in basic vocabulary, grammar and structure but the emphasis is on having fun whilst learning.  We make use of videos, tapes, puzzles, games, drama and projects. 

Information Technology

Everyone should be computer literate.  Computers are easy to master at any age.  Multi-media enriches every subject.  When children are exposed at nursery age to this technology they acquire the feeling that learning is fun.  Children love computers.  Subject related CD ROMs have been incorporated into every area of the curriculum.  When it comes to learning, being able to work over points many times, having access to a great amount of information and original sources, studying animations and flow diagrams, listening simultaneously to commentaries, all at one's fingertips, at one's own pace and in one's own space, make multi-media a tool of extraordinary power.  We provide easy access for parents too; giving an email facility and information service.  In addition to the excitement of CD ROMs the children all use office software for everyday tasks linked to all subjects.  Word processing is a basic skill and at Prep level touch typing is also taught. Interactive whiteboards have been introduced in all classes and the IT suite.

Music

Every pupil is involved in class music as an integral part of the curriculum giving all pupils understanding and useful, lasting musical knowledge. It is very important that children experience quality music education and develop a melodic music ear. So music lessons contain three basic educational areas: performance, creativity and listening. In addition to this there is the opportunity to join one of our choirs or musical groups, such as the recorder group or band.

Individual tuition is available in chosen instruments from the many visiting music teachers, and children are encouraged to enter music examinations

Drama

Drama is an important tool for preparing our pupils to live and work in a world that is increasingly team orientated. In addition to its intrinsic educational value, drama can reinforce the rest of the school curriculum. Drama is a thrilling subject and at its best it provides confidence, excitement, vitality and energy.  It is a very important area of our curriculum and we have opportunities throughout the year for children to take part in festivals, Lamda exams, class assemblies, plays, carol service, drama clubs and spoken English competitions.

Outdoor Education

Outdoor Education gives children the chance to try something they thought they would never be able to manage.  Outdoor Education develops children's maturity and self-confidence.  It provides challenges at different levels.  It is an integral part of the PE national curriculum and it is fun!  The children will be given a chance to take part in outdoor team challenges at activity centres, skiing and cross country events

Life Skills: PHSE and Citzenship

This programme includes a whole variety of skills ranging from first aid to nutrition, money, safety, government, responsibility, team building, interview techniques, health and hygiene as well as current affairs, and takes place at various times during the school year.

Art/Design

Art, Design and Technology is the application of science to doing and making and it encompasses maths, craft, design and science.  There is no recipe book approach to art, design and technology.  There is no one way of doing things and children find out at their own rate how to solve problems and make discoveries about maths, physics, design concepts and the world of art.

PE

We are extremely lucky to have 15 acres of pitches adjoining our school. PE include dance, gymnastics, football, pop lacrosse, netball, rounders, cricket, cross-country, gymnastics, judo and fencing for both boys and girls.  There is a full fixture list of matches. We want all Kingscourt children to have fun and success in sport, an introduction to sport suited to their own level of development, the opportunity to develop a range of sports skills, the chance to develop good sporting attitudes, positive competition and a sound foundation for lifelong physical activity.

Religious Studies

The day starts with a corporate act of worship and Religious Knowledge is included in the timetable.  It embodies current ideas for teaching the central themes of Christianity and world religions. Assembly is an important start to every day and sets the tone for the whole school.  R.K. gives every child a chance to reflect and review their world.

Homework

Independent work habits are encouraged throughout the school with realistic levels of homework set that is age-appropriate. Homework club is available from 4.00-5.00pm.