Understanding the world around us is one of the key components of the curriculum we offer here at London Colney and is thread through all of our curriculum drivers. We strongly believe in our children having the opportunities and experiences to not only understand the immediate community they are a part of but also the wider world, developing into local and global citizens. We strive for our pupils to understand what it means to be inclusive, appreciate culture and thrive off of the diversities we have here within our school. Although we know that there are many ways in which children can be taught to understand the world, throughout our curriculum we enable children to do so through the study of History, Geography, Science and Computing.
History
The History Mastery Ark Curriculum, aligned with the National Curriculum, aims to foster a deep understanding of historical events, people, and movements. It is designed to help children build chronological knowledge, enhance critical thinking, and develop a nuanced understanding of how history shapes the present. The curriculum is structured to ensure that children not only learn facts but also understand historical contexts, causes, and consequences in a manner that encourages active learning and inquiry.
Curriculum Goals
The curriculum seeks to:
- Develop children’s chronological understanding and ability to sequence historical events.
- Develop inquisitive children, who are keen to ask questions and persevere to be able to find the answers.
- Enable children to understand the diversity of human experiences and perspectives, fostering a sense of global citizenship.
- Promote critical thinking skills through analysis, interpretation, and the evaluation of historical sources.
- Encourage the development of research skills and the ability to construct well-founded historical arguments.
- Foster an appreciation for the relevance of history in understanding current events and future challenges.
Geography
The integration of the Geography Mastery Ark Curriculum alongside the National Curriculum in our school has had a significant influence on our students’ geographical understanding, critical thinking, and awareness of the world around them. The aim of this geography curriculum is to provide pupils with a coherent and progressive learning journey that encourages inquiry, creativity, and a deep understanding of geographical concepts.
Curriculum Goals
The curriculum seeks to:
- Children demonstrate an increasingly sophisticated understanding of geographical concepts such as:
- The relationship between physical and human geography.
- Key geographical features, including landforms, weather, and ecosystems.
- The impact of human activity on the environment, with a focus on sustainability and conservation.
- Children develop the ability to analyse geographical data, maps, and sources of information critically.
- Children are encouraged to ask geographical questions, analyse sources, and form their conclusions about the world around them.
- We focus on enabling children to understand global and local geography, which promotes respect for diverse cultures and regions.
- Emphasis on sustainability, climate change, and the interdependence between humans and the environment.
Science
The teaching and learning of science is a fundamental aspect of our pupils being able to understand the world around them. We place a strong emphasis on high quality scientific investigation and enquiry within our classrooms and believe that the science our children are exposed to should be contextualised and based on the knowledge, skills and understanding that children need to be successful in life. We use the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum to deliver core learning in science on a weekly basis. We also believe in providing our pupils with the experiences and opportunities that bring science alive. We achieve this through our enrichment package, including visits to places such as the science museum and holding science days, including ‘Silly Science’ workshops.
By the time our pupils leave London Colney, we intend to;
- Create the scientists of tomorrow, developing a love and appreciation for the sciences. Our children will support to design their own curriculum, asking questions to which they want to investigate the answers to. Through this, our children will develop an appreciation of science and see how it is still relevant to our lives today.
- Develop key investigation skills that can transferred across a range of scientific contexts and ideas. Our children will learn to predict, observe, make connections, spot patterns, analyse and draw conclusions in their work and use these to develop an inquisitiveness, deciding where to go next within an investigation.
- Support and foster scientific knowledge within our children. Our children will have the opportunity to learn about key concepts throughout their time at school including plants, animals including humans, seasons, materials, forces, space electricity, sound and light as well as others.
- Promote our children’s sense of safety, knowing how to plan and carry out a range of experiments in an appropriate and safe way.
Computing
Computing is learning about how computers and computer systems work, how to design and build programs, how to develop ideas and create a range of content using technology. It covers topics such as understanding how the internet works, finding out about the uses and impact of technology beyond school and learning about the history of computing and its pioneers.
London Colney Primary School has made a major investment in technology to maximize the achievement of our children across the curriculum and to prepare them to participate in a rapidly changing world. The school is equipped with a set of pupil laptops and iPads, ensuring that computing is taught effectively and embedded across the curriculum. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard to enhance teaching and learning these are being updated to smart screens as part of a rolling programme. To ensure we meet the objectives of the computing curriculum, we are following the Purple Mash Schemes of work. This offers a thematic based approach which teaches children about computing skills in a real life context.
By the time our pupils leave London Colney, we intend to;
- Develop our children so that they are confident and technology literate, being able to understand and apply the fundamental elements of computing and technology, including logic and algorithms. Our children will learn to use a range of tools and programs successfully, feeling prepared and confident to use technology beyond their time at London Colney.
- Provide our children with the opportunities to engage with a range of technologies to be able to apply their learnt skills. Our children will have an understanding that technology is forever changing and improving and that their curriculum adapts because of this.
- Promote and instil maturity within our children when using technology, ensuring that they know how to keep themselves and others safe when working on computers or online. Our children will know what to do and who to speak to if they feel at risk when using technology.