Junior Curriculum
Key-Stage-Curriculum (ID 1117)
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Early Years Foundation Stage (Lower Juniors)Reception
Early Years Foundation Stage (Lower Juniors)
At CFS we aim to provide motivating first-hand experiences to enable children to learn more and remember more. We also encourage children to build resilience, ambition and a lifelong love of learning whilst also learning how to look after their own mental health and wellbeing. We aim to build on the wealth of knowledge children already have and we actively develop relationships with their feeder settings.
We recognise that all children are unique, celebrating and welcoming differences within our school community. Therefore, our curriculum is developed and adapted each year to follow the interests and fascinations of the children in the current year group whilst also building specific knowledge, identified through the areas of learning. We recognise how learning builds sequentially – by building knowledge, skills and learning behaviours from what the children already know and can do towards identified end points or outcomes. Our curriculum design ensures they are ready for the transition to Year 1.
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Key Stage 1 (Lower Juniors)Years 1 and 2
Key Stage 1 (Lower Juniors)
In Years 1 and 2 we adopt a broad and balanced curriculum covering Key Stage 1 material, but we also work well beyond the boundaries of The National Curriculum wherever possible and appropriate. Pupils are well prepared for national tests and undertake the phonics screening check in Year 1 and Key Stage 1 National Curriculum Assessments in Year 2.
While there is a strong focus on Maths and English, pupils are also taught a wide range of subjects, including Science, History, Geography, Art, Spanish, Computing, Music, RE, PSHE and PE. The curriculum is enriched with outings, workshops and cross-curricular opportunities.
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Key Stage 2 (Upper Juniors)Years 3 to 6
Key Stage 2 (Upper Juniors)
In upper school pupils have a subject-based approach in line with the National Curriculum. As in Key Stage 1, it is hoped that knowledge extends beyond the boundaries of the current guidelines wherever possible and include opportunities for development of individual interests.
Pupils in Years 3 and 4 are taught English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Art , PSHE, Computing, Spanish and RE by their class teachers and receive specialist teaching in Music, PE and Games. Thus, there is a greater focus on the skills, knowledge and understanding required in each subject discipline. However, despite this subject-based structure teachers draw strands of learning together and make connections between the different subjects, adopting a cross-curricular approach when appropriate.
English is taught using a range of methods and there is a strong focus on extended writing. Big Write sessions, dedicated writing days and participation in short story competitions help to promote creativity and improve technical understanding. A love of reading is encouraged through Book Week, Share a Story assemblies, cross-curricular activities (such as a Roald Dahl inspired concert), library time and regular and varied opportunities to read within the class.
All pupils follow the White Rose Maths mastery programme which includes preparation for national curriculum assessments in Year 6. Pupils are stretched and challenged to go beyond the expectations of the National Curriculum.
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Phonics
Phonics
Cobham Free School has chosen Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised as our systematic, synthetic phonics (SSP) programme to teach early reading and spelling.The children in Foundation Stage and Year 1 have daily phonics sessions where they are taught four new sounds a week that are reviewed on Friday. Reading practice supports phonic lessons giving children the opportunities to apply their knowledge in a range of activities.
Reading books are matched closely to the children's secure phonic knowledge. We use Big Cat books for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to ensure they follow our phonics teaching. These books contain taught phonic sounds and tricky words to allow children to develop their reading fluency.
Further information about the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme can be found on their website:
www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Year Groups
Junior-Year-Groups (ID 1136)
Religious Education
Although not a faith school, Cobham Free School considers Religious Education very important. Pupils learn about different world faiths as part of the curriculum. Their studies are given context through visits to religious buildings, special themed lunches, assemblies and celebrations which reflect cultural festivals.
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In our school, Religious Education is a part of a broad and balanced curriculum. All pupils receive RE in accordance with the Surrey Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2023-2028). This can be viewed here >
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Within our website, you will find details about the RE that is taught in each year group.
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We expect all pupils to experience the full breadth of our curriculum, but should parents or carers wish to exercise the right of withdrawal for all or part of RE, they should consult the headteacher.
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Collective worship (often known as an assembly) is part of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
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Assemblies are an important part of our school community life, so we hope that all pupils participate. Any parents or carers wishing to exercise their right to withdraw their child(ren) from all or part of collective worship should consult the headteacher.
- The Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education
The right of parents to withdraw their children from Religious Education (RE) lessons is set out in section 71(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
A parent of a student can request that their child is wholly or partly excused from:
Receiving RE given in the school in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum
Parents who withdraw their child from all or part of the school’s RE curriculum do not have to provide a reason. The school must comply with their request, although a school should ensure parents or carers are informed of this right and are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RE syllabus.
If students are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Students will usually remain on school premises. Parents are not permitted to supervise their child during these lessons.
The rules that apply to withdrawing students from RE lessons do not apply to other lessons that look at religion. Therefore, a student cannot be withdrawn from any National Curriculum subject, even if they teach about religion, other than RE or some aspects of sex and relationship education (RSE).
If you think you would like to discuss withdrawing your child from RE lessons, please contact the Senior Leadership Team.
We welcome pupils from families of all backgrounds and beliefs, religious or secular, to join our school; cultural diversity serves to enhance and enrich our community.
