Key Stage 1 Curriculum

The main strands in the maths curriculum are:

• Shape and space – investigating properties of 2D and 3D shapes and symmetry
• Measurement, – volume, capacity, mass, distance, using standard and non-standard units of measure, time and estimation
• Number – including a range of methods for solving equations using the four main operations, fractions, place value to thousands and rounding to the nearest relevant value
• Data handling – drawing and interpreting graphs and tables
• Problem solving – using and applying all the skills children have learnt through the other strands of the maths curriculum

Concepts are taught through investigation and practical hands-on activities, using concrete materials. Real-life problems give students the opportunity to use what they have learnt to solve problems. Children are supported in progressing at their own rate with one-to-one assistance given to those who need further reinforcement. Additional challenges are used to extend students mathematical thinking once they are secure with the concepts being taught.

Each year level is taught in three separate groups for Myanmar language:

1. Students who already have skills in reading and writing Myanmar script follow a programme similar to Myanmar schools to maintain these skills.
2. Students who are native-speakers of Myanmar, but are not confident in using Myanmar script, continue to develop their skills in reading and writing the language, focusing on creativity and their ability to use the language well.
3. Students who are not yet fluent in the language learn basic communication skills, including useful phrases and basic vocabulary such as numbers. They are also introduced to the Myanmar script.

In Myanmar culture, students learn about the geography, history and cultural aspects of Myanmar. They learn songs and traditional dance. The annual Water Festival is celebrated with an exhibition of Myanmar dance and water play time.

The science curriculum taught provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all pupils are taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.

The themes for science come from the English National Curriculum. They include: plants, living things, animals including humans and states of matter.

In history and geography, our pupils develop knowledge and understanding of the world, both past and present. Through well planned topics, children develop knowledge of local and international places and the world we live in.

In history, children will develop an awareness of the past, using common words and phrases relating to the passing of time. They will identify where the people and events they study fit within a chronological framework and be aware of similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods. They will develop a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms, ask and answer questions to show that they know and understand key features of events and understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past.

In Key Stage 1, students begin to develop an understanding of the basic tenets of the four main religions; Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Our aim continues to be to foster tolerance and understanding of the beliefs of others.

A range of topics including hygiene, friendships, responsibility and tolerance encourage students to understand how to take some responsibility for their own health and understand their role in society.

In Key Stage 1, lessons are designed specifically to teach skills in using programs such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Paint. Children learn to solve problems and implement solutions by creating algorithms using visual tools and programming language. In addition, they learn to ‘debug’ through finding errors and correcting them.  Children are also taught e-safety and learn to use internet efficiently and safely. 

In music, the children use their voices expressively and creatively by singing songs and speaking chants and rhymes. Children also experiment with, create, select and combine sounds using the inter-related dimensions of music: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo. They have the opportunity to learn instruments.

The children develop their creativity and imagination using a range of media and materials to express themselves and create a range of different art and craft projects. In Year 1, there is a strong focus on developing fine motor skills enabling children to produce more complex art work in Year 2. We have a whole-school art exhibition of the children’s work toward the end of the year.

In Key Stage 1 design & technology, the focus is on enabling children to design and make functional products that are fit for purpose, aimed at a certain target audience. Alongside this, children learn to evaluate the products they have created.

Basic sports skills that are applicable in all sports, such as balancing, catching, jumping and athletics, are introduced. There is a focus on the enjoyment of physical activity and encouraging an active lifestyle. Social skills such as taking turns, following rules, teamwork and understanding of a healthy lifestyle are an important part of physical education lessons.