Foundation Subjects and Science

Computing

Our aim is to provide a high-quality computing education which equips children to use computational thinking and creativity.  By the time they leave Christchurch children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: computer science (programming and understanding how digital systems work), information technology (using computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and digital literacy (evaluating digital content and using technology safely and respectfully). The objectives within each strand support the development of learning across the key stages, ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond.

Science 

All children are scientists as they are naturally curious about the world around them from an early age. It is our intent to encourage innovation while boosting creativity, making children all round individuals. We want to arouse pupils curiosity of the wider world and develop and encourage them to be inquisitive at school and beyond. 

Science will increase pupil’s knowledge and understanding of the world around them. It also facilitates children’s understanding of other subject areas e.g. English, maths, geography, art, ICT, DT. We embrace a cross curricular and investigative approach to teaching science to all our pupils.  

Design Technology

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It is our intent to ensure that Design Technology prepares children to deal with tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. We will encourage pupils to be creative and use their imaginations in their own designs and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We want all pupils to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.

The practical nature of this subject involves children in developing their own personal skills and knowledge of a wide range of materials, equipment and techniques.  We will help pupils to develop an understanding of how a design works, product analysis, and to develop their own confidence and ability to work through the same process. 

Geography

It is our intent to inspire pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We will equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Ilford and London so that they can develop of real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. We want our pupils to enjoy learning geography and to develop geographical skills: collecting and analysing data; using maps, globes, aerial photographs and digital mapping to name and identify countries, continents and oceans; and communicating information in a variety of ways. 

History

It is our aim to ensure that pupils gain a coherent knowledge of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We want our pupils to understand how the past has shaped today and how it will impact on their future. We intend to help them develop an understanding of how the past influences all our lives, shaping the customs and beliefs of the communities to which we belong. Children will have the opportunity to explore the past through a range of creative resources and teaching techniques.Beginning with their own personal history, children begin to explore the concept of time past, leading to more important episodes and developments in Britain’s past, including Invaders and Settlers (Vikings, Romans and Anglo-Saxons), the Tudors and Britain since the 1930s, the local history of Ilford, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greeks and the Mayan Civilisation.    

Art and design

It is our intent to engage, inspire and challenge all pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Our curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to develop a range of ways in which they can share and express their individual creativity. We believe that art is a vital part of children’s education. It provides them with opportunities to develop a range of ways in which to express their individual creativity, whilst learning about a wide range of different types of art in our society.

Music

It is our intent to engage our pupils in a high-quality music curriculum that inspires them to develop a love of music and develop their talent as musicians. We intend to makemusic an enjoyable, rich and stimulating learning experience for all pupils. We want our pupils to be reflective and expressive, developing their own appreciation of music with the opportunities that we provide as a school. We encourage them to participate in a variety of musical experiences through which we aim to build up the confidence of all pupils. 

All pupils are actively encouraged and given the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument, from standard classroom instruments to individual instrumental lessons with the visiting peripatetic staff.

Languages

Through our Modern Foreign Language (French) curriculum we foster pupils' curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world, through engaging and immersive opportunities. This will enable pupils to communicate for practical purposes and discover new ways of thinking. Children will love learning a new language and our curriculum will provide a foundation for further language learning, with the ultimate aim of opening a world of opportunity.French is taught from Year 3 onwards. We use Purple Mash to support our planning and teaching. It is our aim that all pupils will access quality teaching in French by their class teacher in order to prepare them for KS3. 

Religious Education  

It is our intent to provide our pupils with a RE curriculum that is engaging, challenging and inspiring. We believe that all our pupils should develop mutual respect and understanding of the many different beliefs and cultures in Ilford, the UK and the World. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We provide our pupils with opportunities to learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts.

We follow the Redbridge locally agreed syllabus for religious education.   

PHSE and SEAL 

At Christchurch we value highly the Personal, Social, Health and Economic wellbeing (PSHE) of all our pupils in addition to the Social, Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL).  Therefore from Early Years up to Year 6 we have a planned programme to help the children to develop fully as individuals, as members of families, social and economic communities.  We aim to give them a greater awareness of how to keep safe, healthy and to make responsible choices.  We also place a strong focus on pupil voice so that the children can become active citizens in society, making a positive contribution.  Throughout the years the children have the opportunity to explore relationships and celebrate diversity; set, monitor and achieve goals; discuss strategies of how to deal with changes, including transition from primary to secondary school and tackle bullying. 

Physical Education  

We want to provide opportunities for pupils to excel in a range of physical and sporting activities and to understand about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.  We want to help build character and embed values such as fairness and respect. We want all children to be able to have a set of skills that will enable them to take part in any physical activity that they choose to do when they leave Christchurch.

Drama