The Core Subjects

There are three core subjects. These are:

• English

• Mathematics

• Science

ENGLISH

At DBIS, we follow the English National Curriculum for the teaching and learning of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The overarching aim of our English curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping our students with a strong command of the spoken and written word. Furthermore, we aim to develop in our students a love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. We work to ensure that all students read easily, fluently and with good understanding. In addition, we support and encourage our students to develop the habit of reading widely and often for both pleasure and information. We aim for them to acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and the spoken language through exposure to a rich and varied literary catalogue. Our students learn to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences, using discussion in order to learn. We support our students to elaborate and explain their understanding and ideas clearly and to develop competence in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

Spelling

Common exception words are split into year groups, with an expectation that students should be able to read and spell the relevant words by the time they reach the end of each academic year. As you would expect, Year 1 and 2 children start to learn simpler words, which may still contain the odd irregular phonic sound or pattern, before progressing to trickier words in Key Stage 2.

By the time a child reaches Years 5 and 6, they should be adept at reading and spelling even more complex words. Students in Key Stage 2 are given ample opportunity to learn these words in school, and they consolidate them at home through having them as weekly spellings; the students are actively encouraged to use these words to enrich their writing.