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Foundation Curriculum
Art and Design
‘Creativity now is as important in education as literacy.’ Sir Ken Robinson.
At St.John Fisher, Art and Design is a celebrated and much-loved subject with many children identifying it as their favourite subject in our student voice. It is taught as part of our interdisciplinary foundation theme. Details of termly themes can be found on your child's Curriculum Overview.
We aim to provide teaching and resources to ensure each child can reach their artistic potential in a wide variety of media. The children are offered opportunities in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics and creative textiles.
Pupils are encouraged to use a sketchbook regularly. They are set tasks related to projects studied and linked to their class foundation theme where appropriate.
We aim to explore a broad curriculum that stimulates imagination and develops visual, tactile and sensory experiences, providing a unique and diverse way of understanding and responding to the world around us.
The department is always open to welcoming visits from local and inspirational artists.
‘It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.’
Pablo Picasso.
Intent
All pupils at St John Fisher School have the right to have rich, deep learning experiences that balance all the aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, we believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught if they are to be able to participate effectively and safely in this digital world.
A high-quality computing education equips pupils to use creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science, and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems.
At St John Fisher School pupils have access to a wide range of technology, including laptops, iPads, and interactive whiteboards, allowing them to continually practice and improve the skills they learn. This ensures they become digitally literate so that they are able to express themselves and develop their ideas through information and computer technology, at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.
We intend to build a computing curriculum that develops pupil’s learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge of the world around them that ensures all pupils can understand and apply the fundamental principles and concepts of computing.
Internet Safety
St John Fisher School takes internet safety extremely seriously. We have an E- Safety Policy that provides guidance for teachers and children about how to use the internet safely. Every class participates in lessons on e-safety and children understand how to stay safe when using technology.
To support the teaching of computing at St John Fisher School we use Purple Mash.
Design and Technology
‘Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.’ Robert L. Peters
At St. John Fisher Design and Technology is a celebrated and much loved subject. It is taught as part of our interdisciplinary foundation theme. Details of termly themes can be found on your child's Curriculum Overview.
We aim to inspire children to become autonomous, creative problem solvers with many new practical skills.
Pupils partake in the whole design process – designing, making and evaluating. The pupils have to consider commercially available products before designing their own and will investigate, dissemble & evaluate products. They work through design briefs, which become more complex as they progress through the school. By the end of Year 6, pupils will be able to complete a range of practical tasks that they would be able to expand upon and take with them into everyday life. Projects undertaken will cover varied themes such as structures, textiles, mechanisms, electrical control & food technology.
Food technology lessons teach children about healthy eating, culinary techniques and about a variety of cooking styles. Pupils prepare food using basic kitchen equipment and start to learn how to develop their own recipes.
We aim to explore a broad curriculum looking at a diverse range of designers and food styles from all around the world.
‘Cooking demands attention, patience, and above all, a respect for the gifts of the earth. It is a form of worship, a way of giving thanks.' Judith Jones
HISTORY
INTENT
History at St John Fisher is led by Ms Syeda
At St John Fisher, we encourage pupils to see the diversity of human experience and understand more about themselves as individuals and members of society by exploring historical models. What they learn can influence their decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values as well as give them the ability to question the past critically.
“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.”
Theodore Roosevelt
History with geography will be interwoven and serve as the basis of a thematic approach which will influence lessons and projects covered in art, design technology, French and music. Historical vocabulary will be revisited wherever possible to embed knowledge and concepts further.
Progression in history throughout EYFS, KS1 and KS2 are based on pupils attaining historical knowledge, historical concepts and skills to enable historical enquiry. We aim to stimulate the pupils’ curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world.
Through KS1 and KS2, pupils will develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people throughout their time at St John Fisher. By the end of KS2, pupils are taught how to effectively research, sift through evidence, and argue for their point of view. Pupils will find and consider evidence, in order to reach their own conclusions. They will study history with a comparative approach and be able to evaluate the events of the past with a sense of confidence.
IMPLEMENTATION
Early Years
History is taught in Reception and children are given the opportunity to find out about past and present events in their own lives, and those of their families and other people they know. This makes a significant contribution to developing a child’s understanding of the world, through a variety of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Pupils will learn how the past is different from the present.
Key Stage 1
During Key Stage 1, pupils learn about significant men, women, children and events from the recent and more distant past in Britain and the wider world. They listen and respond to stories and use sources of information to develop skills that help with historical enquiry.
Pupils should be taught about:
- changes within living memory – where appropriate, these should be used to reveal aspects of change in national life (Year 1 Exploring Time);
- events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally (Year 2 City Study - The Great Fire of London);
- the lives of significant individuals in the past who have contributed to national and international achievements, some should be used to compare aspects of life in different periods (Year 1 Exploring Place - Explorers) ;
- significant historical events, people and places in their own locality (Year 2 City Study - St Albans).
Key Stage 2
During Key Stage 2 pupils look at history in a variety of ways, for example from political, economic, social, religious and cultural perspectives. They use different sources of information to help them investigate the past both in depth, using dates and historical vocabulary to describe events, people and developments. They also learn that the past can be represented and interpreted in different ways. We encourage pupils to critically evaluate historical sources for elements of bias by the end of KS2.
Pupils will be taught about:
- changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age (Year 3 - Ancient Britain);
- the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain (Year 5 - Roman Britain);
- Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots (Year 5 - Invaders);
- a local history study (Year 5 - Roman Britain);
- a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066 (Year 5 - Crime and Punishment, Year 6 - Impact of War);
- the achievements of the earliest civilizations – an overview of where and when the first civilizations appeared and a depth study of Ancient Egypt (Year 4 - Ancient Egypt);
- Ancient Greece – a study of Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world (Year 4 - Ancient Greece);
- a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history – one study chosen from: early Islamic civilization, including a study of Baghdad c. AD 900; Mayan civilization c. AD 900; Benin (West Africa) c. AD 900-1300 (Year 6 - The Americas Mayan Civilization)
A child's journey around the world in Geography at St John Fisher
Geography at St John Fisher is led by Ms Syeda.
INTENT
At St John Fisher we have a thematic approach; geography and history will be interwoven, wherever possible, and therefore taught through art, design technology, music and French. The teachers and subject leads will endeavour to create this cross-curricular link ensuring that vocabulary and concepts are revisited throughout the Foundation curriculum.
Progression in geography throughout EYFS, KS1 and KS2 is based on locational knowledge, place knowledge, physical and human geography, geographical skills and fieldwork. The children progressively learn geography from across the globe, through each termly topic, ensuring that they have covered some of each continent during their time at St John Fisher.
IMPLEMENTATION
Early Years
Geography is taught in reception as an integral and dominant part of the Foundation curriculum covered during the year. We relate the geographical aspects of the pupils’ work to the objectives set out in the Early Years curriculum which underpin the planning for children aged three to five. Geography makes a significant contribution to developing a child’s understanding of the world through activities such as finding out about different places, habitats and investigating the locality.
Key Stage 1
During Key Stage 1, pupils investigate their local area and a contrasting area in the United Kingdom or abroad, finding out about the environment in both areas and the people who live there. They also begin to learn about the wider world. They may carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. They are encouraged to ask geographical questions about people, places and environments, and use geographical skills and resources, such as maps and photographs.
Topics with a particular Geography focus:
- Year 1 - Me and My World
- Year 1 - Exploring Place
- Year 2 - City Study
- Year 2 - Seaside Resorts
Key Stage 2
During Key Stage 2, pupils investigate a variety of people, places and environments in the United Kingdom and abroad. In accordance with the National Curriculum, pupils will focus their study on the United Kingdom, Europe, North and South America. Pupils will find out how people affect the environment and its secondary impact. Pupils may carry out geographical enquiry inside and outside the classroom. They are encouraged to ask geographical questions, and use geographical skills and resources, such as maps, atlases and aerial photographs. Children will develop geographical enquiry skills; collecting and recording information; developing suitable vocabulary; using fieldwork techniques and maps, plans and atlases. Pupils will use secondary sources of information with accuracy, including aerial photographs, satellite images, etc.
Topics with a particular Geography focus:
- Year 3 - UK Geography (Mountains and Rivers)
- Year 3 - Extreme Earth
- Year 4 - Modern Europe
- Year 5 - The Americas
- Year 6 - Comparing People and Places across UK, Europe, North & South America
- Year 6 - The Rainforest and Sustainability
The school uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in geography lessons. We believe in whole-class teaching methods and combine these with enquiry-based research activities. We offer them the opportunity to use a variety of data, such as maps, statistics, graphs, pictures, aerial photographs, geographical footage. Children take part in discussions, and they may even present a report to the rest of the class.
There may be opportunities to engage in ‘real’ geographical activities, e.g. research of a local environmental problem, visiting relevant sites and carrying out fieldwork. We recognise the fact that we have learners of differing ability in all our classes, and so we provide suitable learning opportunities for all pupils by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this through a range of strategies which are differentiated by task, expected outcome and/or support from peers or adults.
Music
'Music has a power of forming the character, and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young.' Aristotle
Music is seen as a real strength throughout the school. All classes have a weekly music lesson with our specialist teacher, Ms Foster, who comes in from Hertfordshire Music Service.
The music curriculum is built using a range of resources. Children have the opportunity to develop their skills in singing, instrumental performance and composition.
Performance Opportunities
We aim for all children take part in at least one performance each academic year.
Music concerts are organised in the spring and summer terms for those taking instrumental lessons.
Some children from the school have had the opportunity to perform in The Hertfordshire Schools Music Gala at the Royal Albert Hall. St. John Fisher also takes part in the St Albans Primary Schools’ Music Festival held annually at the Alban Arena and the Primary Schools’ Carol Service in St. Albans Abbey.
Instrumental Lessons
The school provides the opportunity for Key Stage 2 to pupils to learn a variety of musical instruments. Children from Year 3 and above have the opportunity to learn to play the recorder, woodwind and violin, and those from Year 4 and above may learn these as well as the guitar; these instruments are taught via the Herts Music service.
Rocksteady Music School offers group lessons in electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard and voice. Groups work together on a chosen song and perform in an end of term music concert.
Singing Strategy
Singing is an essential strand of the music curriculum and an important part of our school community. As a Catholic school, the singing of hymns plays an integral part in our worship. Children sing weekly hymns in our Friday morning Liturgy and Celebration Assembly as well as in weekly class collective worship.
Choir
We are immensely proud of our choir who, in 2019, won the 'St Albans Primary Choir of the Year'. The choir performed an excellent rendition of 'This is Me' from 'The Greatest Showman' at St Alban's Abbey. The adjudicator highly praised the choir for their enthusiasm and commitment throughout their performance.
Choir practice is open to all children in KS2 on a Tuesday lunchtime and is led by Ms Foster.
Curriculum PE
Intent
At St John Fisher School, we believe that PE is an important part of school life and ultimately has an impact on the children’s future well-being. We aim to provide a PE curriculum that all pupils enjoy and allows them to experience a range of activities which enables them to develop their health, fitness and wellbeing.
We intend to provide a high-quality physical education curriculum that motivates children to participate and succeed in competitive sports. It allows pupils to become more confident in their physical capabilities. Through sport children build character and learn about fairness and respect.
We aim to develop children by following the National Curriculum guidelines to ensure that:
- Children develop competency to excel in a variety of physical activities
- Children are engaged in physical activities for sustained periods of time
- Children lead healthy, active lives
Implementation
At St John Fisher School, the PE curriculum is varied and long-term plans ensure that we meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. All pupils from Y1 to Y6 have two scheduled sessions each week and Reception have one. Our PE curriculum is sequenced precisely to ensure progression of knowledge and skills which enables children to build upon prior experiences and apply these fluently, with confidence. Children also have the opportunity to further these skills at after school sports clubs.
We work closely with the St Albans Sports Partnership and involve ourselves in inter and intra sports competitions. The enjoyment of competitive sports is important for our children but we also appreciate and encourage the importance of children taking part and we promote positive experiences of being physically active and not always participating to win.
Children learn a range of skills in PE through sequences of lessons on invasion (football, netball, basketball, hockey and dodgeball), striking and fielding (rounders and cricket) and net and wall games (tennis and badminton). We promote imagination and creativity in gymnastics and dance as well as provide opportunities for athletics using both indoor and outdoor environments plus outdoor and adventurous activities. In KS2, children go on a residential visit to experience further outdoor activities. Children have swimming lessons at a local swimming pool.
Physical activity is encouraged during playtimes. In our EYFS area, the children have their own playground which includes equipment to encourage children to meet their physical Early Learning Goals.
At St John Fisher School, we recognise the importance of being physically active throughout the school day in order to increase fitness levels and well- being. In order to reduce sedentary learning, the children use Active Learning in their maths lessons which combines physical activity alongside the maths learning which is taking place.
PE lessons are taught by the class teacher or by Miss Hobbs, our PE subject lead, with some visiting specialists where possible.
Extra-Curricular PE
Sport
The school takes part in the School Games programme locally, as well as a number National incentives such as the Daily Run and WOW tracker.
Do check out our termly newsletter written by the sports ambassadors for details.
Sport Premium Funding
We are very fortunate enough to receive a fantastic sum of £17,640 annually for our sports premium grant. This money has to be spent with the aim of improving 1 of 5 key areas in sport (as listed on the budget template).
Please find the sports premium funding report under key information
In 2018/2019 we archived a GOLD School Games Mark. During the pandemic we have continued to encourage the engagement of children taking part in the PE curriculum virtually and within class bubbles.
The School Games Mark is a Government led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made our competitions possible. As part of our annual applications, we are asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school is rewarded.
Latest Activities and Games
To find out the latest sporting activities and events and celebrations of sport at St John Fisher follow our Twitter feed @StJohnFisherRC
We compete in many local tournaments and hold a range of sporting events in school. We take part in the Daily Run, keeping our children fit and active as much as possible.
We are looking forward to a year of sporting achievements so do check back to see how we are getting on!
