Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

Our Lady of Sion - Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)
Years 1 and 2 are for children aged 5 to 7 years. Maximum class size is set at 20 pupils, and our well-qualified and experienced class teachers deliver the majority of lessons. French, Music and PE are taught by specialist teachers. Year 2 pupils take advantage of swimming lessons at the local pool. Spanish Club (from Year 1) and Tennis Club (from Year 2) are available after school for a nominal extra charge. As well as formal lessons, trips and visitors are an important part of our balanced and extensive curriculum.

School uniform must be worn.

After school supervision is available at no extra charge.

School opens 8.00 am
Registration 8.50 am
Morning break 10.20 am
Lunch break 12.00 noon
Afternoon break 2.15 pm
School ends 3.15 pm Year 1; 3.30 pm Year 2
Supervision ends 5.00 pm

Lessons last for 30 minutes. School Assemblies are held on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings.

Click here to see photos of KS1 Christmas Nativity Play 2012

Key Stage 1 Curriculum

Years 1 and 2 - ages 5 to 7 years

Great emphasis is placed on Literacy and Numeracy. These subjects are complemented by lessons in Art, DT, French, Geography, History, ICT, Music, PCSHE, PE, Science and Religious Education.
ICT is an integral part of the curriculum. Our networked system comprises a dedicated ICT suite, a computer in each classroom, all with regulated internet access. Pupils also have the use of an interactive whiteboard.

We offer a variety of trips to enhance the curriculum and to keep learning fun. These may include visits to the theatre and to the Wetlands Trust in Arundel, as well as walks to the local library, museum, shops, Post Office and seafront.
Visitors are regularly invited to the school to talk to the pupils about subjects as wide ranging as Road Safety, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Dental Health.

Art
Art classes generate work of a very high standard in our well-equipped Art Room. Pupils work creatively using a range of media such as clay, charcoal, pastels, watercolours and silk paints. The school's kilns are used to great effect to fire the pupils' exciting ceramic work. Examples of their work are on display throughout the school.

English
“English is concerned with clarity and precision, but it also encourages individuality of thought, perception and expression”.
In both KS 1 and KS 2 English is divided into 3 main areas:
    1.  Speaking and listening
    2. Reading
    3. Writing – incorporating spelling, grammar and handwriting
English is taught everyday throughout the school. Children are heard read every day and great emphasis is put on the teaching of reading and instilling a love of books from an early age.
Year 1
The children follow ‘The Jolly Phonics’ and ‘The Jolly grammar’ methods of learning to read. The ORT is the reading scheme that is used throughout KS 1, however other parallel readers are also available.
The children are encouraged to write in a variety of ways and enjoy the various genres including Poetry, non fiction writing, plays and story writing.
The children are taught how to spell correctly and use a wordbook to aid their writing.
Year 2
The children are encouraged to develop their reading and writing further. The children continue the ‘Jolly grammar’ methods and are able to consolidate their skills. The skills they were taught in Year 1 are reinforced and extended in order to develop their writing. They are encouraged to be independent writers and develop ownership of their work.

French
Pupils have French lessons with a specialist teacher, introducing them to the concept of learning a second language through games and activities.

Geography
In Geography, throughout the school, each year group follows the QCA Geography units.
In KS1 it is taught as part of our topic work. Each QCA unit is covered by a variety of teaching methods and using a wide variety of resources. These include use of IT, DVD and field trips.
Year 1
Topics that are covered in Year One include Houses and Homes and cross curricular links are made through other topics such as Toys and Ourselves.

Year 2
Topics that are covered in Year 2 include ‘Where in the world…?’ and other topics whereby geography is covered include The Great Fire of London, Wildlife, Healthy Eating and Electricity.

ICT
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) establishes links with all curriculum areas across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
The aim of the curriculum is to give our children the ability to use ICT effectively in order to enable them to become more confident and competent in skills vital for modern society.
We strive to achieve these aims by;
• Helping all pupils to use ICT with purpose and enjoyment;
• Helping al pupils to develop the necessary skills to exploit ICT;
• Meeting the requirements of the National Curriculum as fully as possible and helping all pupils to achieve the highest possible standards;
• Helping pupils enrich their learning across all subject areas by including ICT where relevant.
The following skills and techniques are developed in increasing depth throughout each year group;
General Technological Awareness
Keyboarding Skills
Paint / Draw / Graphics
Word Processing
Data Handling
Control
The school benefits from four interactive whiteboards, three around the school and one in the purpose built ICT suite. Each class has timetabled sessions in the ICT suite every week. Each classroom also benefits from a computer linked to the system network.
In addition to timetabled ICT lessons, the children in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 have the opportunity to join our “Computer Explorers” after school club.

Mathematics
In Key Stage 1 Mathematics is taught by the class teacher aided by their respective classroom assistant. We use the Ginn Abacus syllabus and workbooks which cover each of the five strands suggested by the National Numeracy Strategy.
Work in Year 2 builds on that done in the Foundation Stage and Year 1, reinforcing the fundamental principles. By the end of Key Stage 1, we aim to provide a sound basis in number skills for each of the four rules on which the children can build in Key Stage 2.
At the same time we encourage the children to develop their concept of space, shape and measure, so that they can use simple mathematical terms and vocabulary with confidence.


Music (Reception, Year 1 & 2)
Our very successful music department aims to develop aesthetic and creative ability in all pupils.  It strives to develop pupils’ understanding, knowledge, skills and enjoyment of music through involvement in performing, composing and listening.  Above all, pupils are encouraged to develop a love of music, and are encouraged to become actively involved in the musical life of the school.
• Timetable: Two class music lessons per week with a specialist teacher.
• Singing: Pupils learn and memorise an expanding repertoire of songs.  Develop an understanding of basic singing technique.
• Instrumental:  An opportunity to express their individual creativity through the use of percussion instruments. 
• Performance:  Performance is encouraged individually and collectively within the lessons and in a concert setting.
Musical Events:  Reception, Year 1 & 2
Stomp/Body Percussion Workshop - to see photos of Stomp workshop - Click here


PSCHE
During Key Stage 1 pupils learn about themselves as developing individuals and as members of their communities, building on their own experiences and on the early learning goals for personal, social and emotional development.

They learn the basic rules and skills for keeping themselves healthy and safe and for behaving well. They have opportunities to show they can take some responsibility for themselves and their environment.

They begin to learn about their own and the life of their school and its neighbourhood. other people’s feelings and become aware of the views, needs and rights of other children and older people. As members of a class and school community, they learn social skills, such as how to share, take turns, play, help others, resolve simple arguments and resist bullying. They begin to take an active part in the life of their school and its neighbourhood.

Click Here to see Whole School PSCHE Scheme of Work
Click Here for photos and write-up of Junior School Council visit to Worthing Mayor's Offices 31 January 2012

Religious Education (RE)
As a fundamentally Christian School, our Religious Education studies are based on our mission statement ”Consideration Always”. We welcome children from other faiths and endeavour to encourage all children irrespective of their faith to reach their true potential in a caring atmosphere.
In Key Stage 1 we encourage the children, through the teachings of the Bible, to experience awe and wonder for God’s created world and their unique place within it. The children visit the local Church, to highlight the signs and symbols of the Christian faith. The children are given an insight into other faiths through both festivals and artefacts.

Science and Humanities (Taught through Topic Work)
In Year One topic work incorporates the subject areas of Science, History and Geography. The QCA units are covered in these areas and usually two topics are covered per term. These include Ourselves, Toys, Pushes and Pulls and Houses and Homes.
The aim of these topics is to make learning the key skills as much fun as possible. A variety of resources are used within the classroom such as DVDs and books and the internet.
In Year One the children are encouraged to do research themselves and class field trips include visits to The Weald and Downland Museum, The Hurstmonceux Science centre and Highdown Gardens.

In Year 2 we base our topic work on some of the suggested QCA Units for Science and the Humanities. Each term we usually have two different topics and build on the children’s understanding and knowledge. We aim to introduce them to relevant vocabulary, encourage scientific observation and prediction, and develop their concept of time in the past.
The children take part in educational trips to reinforce their learning and gain first hand experience of the topic at that time. 
In the Summer term we look at animals and plants in the environment ( QCA Science: Unit 2B.) Having explored the school garden we visit the beach and will compare the two environments.   We have used geographical terms to describe the locations and maps to follow our journey. In addition we will use our discoveries to carry out simple scientific experiments.

To see photos and information on Year 1 visit to Herstmonceaux Science Centre June 2011 Click Here
To see Energy Workshop; The Story of the Five Sunbeams Click Here
To See photos and information on Kids in Space Show : Click Here

Sport & PE (Year 1 and 2)
A broad and balanced programme of PE is taught throughout the school by specialist and non-specialist staff enabling every child to find something they enjoy and through which they can gain a sense of achievement. 
Co-operation and a competitive spirit are developed through inter-house sporting activities and regular fixtures against other local schools.  Our specialist Games teachers ensure that sport plays an important part in the life of the school. 
There are Annual House competitions in most of the sports mainly for Years 5 and 6 as well as House Mini Swimming Galas for all classes from Year 2 to Year 6.
We offer Key Stage 2 pupils, extra- curricular team practices for football, netball and summer games which take place each term either at the Junior School, Senior School or Off-site.
Tennis coaching is offered to Years 2 – Year 4 at the Junior School.
Starting in the Foundation Stage with basic skills, the curriculum steadily builds to cover a range of activities including dance, gymnastics and ball skills.
The large, well equipped Senior School is also used by Years 3 to 6 for some lessons each week.  Years 2 – 6 are able to enjoy a structured and progressive swimming programme at the nearby 33m Aquarena Pool.
The school was recently awarded a Sport England Activemark, reflecting the breadth and quality of the PE curriculum.

Key Stage 1
All children from Reception to Year 2 have a minimum of four thirty minute lessons a week.  The activities covered include football, chess, music and movement, educational gymnastics, athletics, tennis, net and wall games, striking and fielding games and invasion games. 
In Year 2, the pupils start swimming in the summer term which culminates in a mini-gala at the end of their session.
All children in Key Stage 1 take part in the annual Sports Day which takes the form of ‘Potted Sports’, as enjoyment and inclusion is one of the top priorities.

Click here to see Sports Day 2011 photos and write-up

See Junior School Clubs and Activities for details of sports clubs and practices
See Sports News for updates on recent sports successes.