As in other state schools, children in the Reception classes follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum. This is an experience based curriculum and aims to develop knowledge and skills in the following areas: - Personal and Social Development, Communication, Language and Literacy, Mathematical Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development, Creative Development.

In Years 1 and 2 they follow the National Curriculum. This means they follow nationally agreed programmes of study in Maths, English, Science, Information Communication Technology, Art, Music, PE, History, Geography and Design and Technology. In addition to the subjects specified in the National Curriculum, the school curriculum also includes Religious Education and cross-curricular issues such as Personal and Social Education, Health Education, Environmental Education, Equal Opportunities and Multi-Cultural Education.

In accordance with the National Workforce Reform Agreement, teachers teach 90% of the timetable with a 10% allocation for Planning, Preparation and Assessment (PPA). We have highly trained PPA Facilitators and Teaching Assistants who continue the teaching in classes during the PPA allocation.

Children meet in the hall for assembly. The assemblies follow a different pattern each day of the week and provide many opportunities for children to participate. All assemblies reflect broadly Christian traditions and one assembly each week is led by the Reverend Lee Townend, Vicar of All Saints Church, Loose, or his representative.

All parents have a right to withdraw their child from the daily assembly or from Religious Education. Any parent wishing to withdraw a child from either activity should contact the Headteacher. Pupils who are withdrawn from assembly or Religious Education are provided with appropriate alternative activities in other classes in other classes.

English

Loose Infant School aims to provide an environment where children can learn to communicate efficiently, effectively and with enjoyment through spoken, printed and written English.

Children are taught to read independently using a variety of methods and schemes. They are introduced to a wide range of attractive and stimulating books in class book corners and the school library.

We run two annual book fairs and the ‘School Link Book Club’ on a regular basis.

Children are encouraged to write for many purposes and audiences. They regularly compose stories, poems and descriptive passages, write letters, invitations and reports. By Year 2 well-presented work is expected using linked script (joined up) handwriting.

Children have opportunities within school to discuss debate and relate events in order to become confident speakers and listeners.

Mathematics

Loose Infant School aims to ensure that all pupils follow a balanced mathematics programme, which will enable them to cope effectively and confidently with tasks at their own level of ability. A variety of opportunities are provided for children to use their mathematical skills and concepts learned in tackling genuine problems and investigations, both through the Numeracy Framework and topic based learning.

The broad range of mathematical topics include number, gathering and interpreting information, shape and space and the five aspects of measurements – length, area, capacity, weight and time. Children are taught addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and work to develop a quick recall of number bonds and tables.

Science

Loose Infant School aims to ensure that through science pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural and physical world in which they live.

Scientific knowledge will be taught through schemes of work, including plants, animals, electricity, magnetism, forces, sound and materials.

Scientific skills are taught through varied practical activities that build on everyday experiences and existing knowledge. Children predict what they think will happen, attempt to test their ideas fairly, record their results and describe what they have discovered.

Art

Loose Infant School aims to draw children’s attention to the purpose, challenge and enjoyment of art, craft and design, whilst fostering an appreciation and awareness of art history and art from other cultures. We provide a broad learning environment and wide variety of resources enabling art to be explored in a creative and expressive way.

Geography

Loose Infant School aims to provide pupils with the knowledge and understanding of geographical processes, structures, places and peoples whilst developing the skills required for geographical investigations.

The study of places begins with the immediate school locality and is later extended to a comparison of contrasting localities.

Children will develop and acquire a variety of skills to investigate places and themes including map-reading, the use of simple instruments, observation and identification. At Loose Infant School our resources include our excellent school grounds and building, up-to-date textbooks, atlases and maps.

History

We aim to help the pupils develop an awareness of the past through the story-telling of well known myths, legends, historical events, eyewitness accounts and fictional stories set in the past.  Children are encouraged to develop a sense of their personal history and are given opportunities to sequence photographs, pictures and artefacts.

They are taught about the lives of famous people and of important local, national and international events.

Information Communication Technology

Loose Infant School recognises the importance of Information Communication Technology and aims to develop pupils’ confidence and competence.

In addition to the well-equipped ICT suite each class has at least one computer, access to a colour printer and equipment for control and monitoring.

Pupils are taught to use ICT equipment and software to communicate and handle information, support their problem solving, recording and expressive work. This is often cross-curricular.

Music

Loose Infant School aims to extend and deepen children’s responses to music through the related activities of listening, performing and composing. All children are encouraged to compose their own music according to their age and ability. The children are encouraged to represent graphically the sound they are making.

Performance is an important part of the music curriculum and singing is fundamental to class music making.

Listening skills are consistently developed throughout the year groups and children are encouraged to listen attentively to all musical contributions.

The Year Two Choir takes part in local festivals and has taken part in national competitions.

We have an arrangement with Kent Music to provide group violin lessons for Year 2 pupils.

Design and Technology

At Loose Infant School we aim to develop the process of designing and making a model for a particular function within a topic. Technology is a part of everyday life, and children are taught to recognise this fact by looking at designs in the home and in the world around them.

Children will be planning, designing and making models using recycled materials and construction toys. All children will be taught skills of cutting, sticking and assembling and will form an understanding of the properties of materials. They will begin to evaluate their models and suggest changes.

Physical Education

Loose Infant School aims to teach pupils, through experience, to know and value the benefits of participation in physical activities. 

All children follow a balanced programme of study for gymnastics, dance, and games. Children in Year 1 and Year 2 swim using the Junior School pool.

Environmental Education

At Loose Infant School we aim to develop our pupils’ interest in the environment. Through various curriculum areas we introduce pupils to plants and animals and their habitats, and a range of buildings, both within the school and the village, and also through visits to other sites and areas.Personal Health and Social Education