Our Key Stage 1 Curriculum

In Years 1 and 2, we follow the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum for England, which is tailored to meet the needs of our unique international community. We believe inquiry is a powerful vehicle for children’s learning and that it promotes the highest standards of learning and development for children between the ages of five and seven.

Our Key Stage 1 curriculum is complemented by our specialist teaching in Music, Mandarin, Physical Education (PE) and Learning Technologies (LT). In addition, our children visit the library on a weekly basis. Our experiential learning opportunities enrich the taught curriculum and support the development of the whole child, cultivating attributes for lifelong learning.

Our approach to teaching and learning in Key Stage 1 is informed by the best available research and evidence on child development between the ages of five and seven. The learning experience reflects the broad range of skills, knowledge and understanding children need as foundations for a successful future. We guide the development of the children’s capabilities with a view to ensuring they complete Key Stage 1 ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead of them in the final part of the Primary phase (Key Stage 2) and beyond.

Whilst the most obvious change from EYFS is a shift to more subject-specific learning, we maintain our approach of learning through inquiry and exploration in developmentally appropriate ways. Furthermore, wherever possible, we create opportunities for the children to be engaged with learning in multiple subjects at the same time so that connections can be made between them. In Key Stage 1, the children will develop confidence in different subject areas through a range of adult-led, adult-initiated and child-initiated learning experiences. The children may focus specifically on one subject area or develop confidence and capabilities in a range of areas at the same time when engaged with their learning environment. Our Discovery units are specifically planned to ensure critical content in all subject areas is covered through a concept-based approach which allows the children to form deeper understandings and make links between subjects and learning.

Children experience learning in a number of different ways, many of which are familiar from their time in EYFS. The environment continues to be valued as the third teacher and, as such, is carefully planned to ensure the children are able to practise, rehearse and acquire new skills, supporting their development as learners and guiding them as they make progress through the curriculum. This is complemented by high-quality adult interactions to help the children apply their learning to real-life contexts and to make connections.

The learning experience in Key Stage 1 includes:

• The compulsory subjects of the English National Curriculum; these are categorised as core and foundation subjects

• High-quality, developmentally appropriate observation and assessment opportunities that inform future planning

• Specialist teaching and learning in LT, Music, PE and Mandarin

• A focus on developing skills in order to achieve success in all areas of the curriculum

• A strong focus on wellbeing and developing the attributes of the DBIS Learner Profile in order to support the children as they continue to grow and develop as a learner