Key Stage 2
Key Stage 2 refers to children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.
We have ensured that all skills from the National Curriculum are interwoven throughout the core subjects, Maths, English and Science, as well as the foundation subjects throughout the year.
Maths
As with Key Stage 1, we use ‘Maths No Problem’ in Key Stage 2, along with elements from White Rose Maths, which allows for depth of understanding in the key concepts of Maths. Maths teaching is enhanced across the school through the use of regular maths meetings, interventions and boosters which allow for rehearsal and consolidation of maths facts. Children are provided with a log in to Mathletics to supplement their Maths learning at home. Children in Key Stage 2 also have access to Times Table Rock Stars to support them in developing rapid recall of key mutliplication and division facts.
English
Reading
Children in Key Stage 2 have a daily reading lesson. These not only teach vital reading skills and comprehension awareness but also encourage a love of reading and develop children's fluency in reading increasingly complex texts. The vast majority of children in Key Stage 2 will already be competent with their phonics knowledge. However, if children require additional support in this area, for example if they join the academy with English as an Additional Language, then this support will follow our scheme of phonics Read Write Inc.
Children should read at home for twenty or thirty minutes a day. Children in Years 3-6 bring home a levelled text at the appropriate stage for their reading ability, an age appropriate book that they have chosen from the year group's selection and a reading challenge text. Each year group has a reading challenge with a selection of texts that we encourage children to complete during their time in that year. Children's reading at home should be recorded on their 'Read the Rainbow' bookmark. Certificates and prizes are awarded for children's completion of their bookmarks.
Writing
Writing is taught through an adaptive approach where children are immersed in a shared text and then innovate and develop their writing stemming from this. Each year group has a list of core texts, taken from Pie Corbett's reading lists, which are used to support children's writing. Children have a daily spelling or grammar lesson as a discrete part of their English and writing coverage. Vocabulary forms a vital part of developing children's writing and reading ability. Children are praised for developing their vocabulary and adults support this through their teaching alongside age appropriate word of the day coverage and word banks in lessons.
Handwriting
Cursive handwriting is introduced in Year 2. Key Stage 2 allows for the opportunity for children to develop their fluency and accuracy in this area through daily practise. Handwriting is taught discretely and applied during all subjects. For more information about the handwriting scheme we follow go to:www.letter-join.co.uk and www.ruthmiskin.com Parents are provided with a log in for the Letter Join website to further practise at home.
Science and Foundation Curriculum
At HPAPW, we follow the Harris Federation curriculum for Science and the foundation subjects. Each subject is taught in discrete lessons and is carefully planned and mapped to ensure progression of skills and knowledge throughout the year groups. Each subject has their own unit, most units are for a half term but some are a full term. Knowledge organisers are used in all subjects to summarise the key learning in each unit and these are shared with parents half termly through curriculum booklets.
HF Curriculum Lead - Sam French
Transition
Children transitioning to secondary school is an important part of their development and as such we will work to ensure children and parents are fully supported in this process. In Year 5, we host a parents' meeting related to secondary school transition to explain the process and support parents with understanding it in preparation for the following year. Following children's offer of a school, we will engage with the relevant secondary schools to ensure they have the appropriate information on the children transferring to them for Year 7. Many secondary schools will host induction days or transition events during the summer term of Year 6, which we encourage our families and children to attend.
At Harris Primary Academy Purley Way, we believe the holistic development of children is paramount and we take great pride in understanding the uniqueness of each child. We are proud that children move through our academy as confident, happy and resilient students, who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to progress through their time with us.
