Curriculum Subjects

Core Subjects

English

In a literate society, the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in the writing and to read a wide range of texts, is essential if children are to reach their potential throughout all stages of their education and in adult life. Literacy is at the core of learning, and our ambition is for all our children to have a strong foundation in English which will prepare them for the next stage in their learning journey.

Early Reading/Phonics

The school teaches early reading and basic decoding skills using Read Write Inc, a systematic synthetic phonics programme.

Phonics and Reading at Osmani

Our aim in teaching English is that all children will:

Speaking and Listening

speak confidently, clearly and fluently in a range of contexts across the wider curriculum.
listen to the spoken word attentively with understanding and pleasure.

Reading

acquire a sound grasp of crucial phonics skills to support their early reading.
begin to take responsibility for their own learning by developing and using a range of reading strategies.
read a variety of diverse texts with understanding, for enjoyment and for information.

Writing

write effectively for a variety of audiences and a range of purposes.
use spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately and confidently.
work together to share feedback and peer review to improve their work.
develop the confidence and resilience to write, revisit and edit their work and meet their learning targets.

Maths

We have developed a skill-based scheme of work that promotes problem solving and resilience, using the National Curriculum as our core.

In EYFS, we ensure that children are given a good foundation in basic skills from the EYFS Development Statements, to have fluency to be ready for Year 1.
We have high expectations in line with our core values that include supporting all children towards striving and success.
Our children work independently and assess their own attainment by taking responsibility for their own learning. Children develop a growth mind-set as a result of deeper learning and increased risk-taking – this builds resilience.
Children confidently discuss their work and are able to work together in pairs and small groups to support each other to identify next steps through peer assessment.

Many of our children have English as an additional language and this can be a barrier to learning. We provide language structures and speaking frames to support mathematical language. We ensure mathematical vocabulary is displayed and modelled by staff and used by children during lessons. Symbols (Communication in Print) are also used to support some mathematical concepts. We support children that are completely new to English with intervention groups and individual support when needed.

Our school is close to the City and the business centre of the UK. We want children to feel able to engage with this and have access to these life opportunities so we offer an enterprise week where children come up with a product, they will sell at the school fete in order to make a profit. In maths lessons, they will learn budgeting skills and discuss the cost of materials and agree on a suitable selling price. This is relating maths to real life.

We are committed to ensuring that children are able to recognise the importance of Maths in the wider world and that they are also able to use their mathematical skills and knowledge confidently in their lives in a range of different contexts. We want all children to enjoy Mathematics and to experience success in the subject, with the ability to reason mathematically.

Science

Science is part of our Thematic Curriculum

In Science, we want to develop curious, enthusiastic, articulate and independent learners.

We want children to:

acquire a body of appropriate scientific knowledge.
be able to ask scientific questions and suggest lines of enquiry to find answers.
make links to the wider world of science and technology.
evaluate their work and be able to take responsibility for their own learning.
develop resilience and work systematically, striving to solve problems and achieve success.
be able to work cooperatively in teams with others and share their learning.
be ready to move on to the next phase of their learning journey.
know about the contributions made to science by diverse cultures and groups.

Foundation Subjects

Humanities - Geography and History

History and Geography are part of our Thematic Curriculum

History and Geography are fundamental areas of the curriculum, giving children a framework for studying the world they live in, the events and people who have shaped our lives and culture, and the forces and processes that have shaped the world around us. Through History and Geography, children learn about and begin to understand the world around them, how it came to be this way, and how it continues to change.

Our Humanities curriculum will enable pupils to:

develop a secure chronological understanding of significant events and people in British and world history.
begin to understand some of the processes, forces and systems that make our planet the way it is.
know about the history and geography of their local area, London and the wider world, including places that reflect the diversity of our school community.
gain an appreciation of how diverse cultures and civilisations have contributed to today’s world.
make connections and identify historical and geographical patterns and trends across time periods, locations and places.
use the enquiry approach to ask and explore historical and geographical questions, and work collaboratively to find and communicate the answers.
use observation, research, fieldwork, evidence, data and analysis with increasing success as they build a body of historical and geographical knowledge.
develop the confidence to use the skills and knowledge they have learned to begin to take responsibility for their own learning.
Explore history and geography from different perspectives and viewpoints and share and begin to justify their own opinions.

Art and Design

Art and Design is part of our Thematic Curriculum

Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to:

enable all children to have access to a varied range of high-quality art experiences.
provide a creative art curriculum that will foster enthusiasm for art and design amongst all the children.
develop an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts.
develop children’s understanding of colour, form, texture, pattern and shape.
support the use of a range of media, materials and processes to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings with increasing success.
provide a foundation in art skills and concepts that will support children to begin to take responsibility for their artistic choices.
develop children’s ability to work together collaboratively on art projects.
support children in learning to evaluate their own artwork and strive to make it better.
support children to respond critically and imaginatively to a range of artistic ideas, images and objects.
value the contribution made by artists, craft workers, and designers from a diverse range of cultures.

Design Technology

Design Technology is part of our Thematic Curriculum

Our Design Technology curriculum is planned to ensure that all pupils:

develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to succeed in their design projects.
take part successfully in a world where technology plays an increasingly important role.
learn key skills, techniques and processes in a range of contexts.
apply their growing bank of skills, concepts and knowledge to design and make high-quality products.
use their imagination to approach problems creatively.
develop the confidence in their design skills to begin to take responsibility for their own projects.
test and evaluate their ideas and products against the original criteria and make improvements.
work collaboratively as a part of a design team to solve problems and challenges.
be aware of the contribution of a diverse range of designers, engineers and architects from the world today and through history.
understand the principles of healthy nutrition and learn how to cook simple meals.

Music

We believe that music is important because it is a powerful form of communication, which can change the way children feel, think and act. We want music, dance and drama to be fun, interesting and relevant, and to link with other curriculum areas.

Our Music curriculum is designed to:

offer opportunities for expression, reflection and emotional development.
help children to understand themselves and relate to others.
play an important part in developing children’s’ ability to listen, appreciate and perform a wide variety of different genres and from different cultures.

Physical Education (PE)

‘Physical education develops pupils’ physical competence and confidence, and their ability to use these to perform in a range of activities. It promotes physical skilfulness, physical development and knowledge of the body in action.’

In PE we want to develop enthusiasm and confidence.

We want children to:

develop confidence in the different areas of physical education.
develop resistance and stamina so that children strive to challenge themselves.
to understand their role in teams and co-operate with others.
develop independence and work both independently and as part of a team towards success.
develop positive attitudes toward healthy and active lifestyles.
develop skilful use of the body, the ability to remember, repeat and refine actions and to perform them with increasing control.
develop an increasing ability to select, link and apply skills, tactics and compositional ideas.
develop an understanding of the effects of exercise on the body, and an appreciation of the value of safe exercising.
develop the ability to work as a team player, taking the lead and learning to work collaboratively.
have an understanding of safe practice, and develop a sense of responsibility towards their own and others’ safety and well-being.

Computing and ICT

The ways we learn, communicate, gather news and information, participate in society and spend our leisure time have all been transformed as technology and computers have increasingly become part of everyday life and work. We want our pupils to be able to live and learn safely, confidently and successfully in this rapidly developing society, acquiring the skills and knowledge they need to fully participate in the 21st Century.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to help them reach their full potential and ‘to understand and change the world’ (NC).

We want children to:

use ICT confidently to support their learning across the wider curriculum.
understand key concepts of Computing, making progress through the key areas of computational thinking, logical reasoning and programming.
gain a good practical understanding of computer programming, and apply this to plan, write and correct programs that efficiently and creatively solve problems.
develop a resilient and reflective approach to programming, being prepared to try different approaches and strategies as they work through a task or problem.
work collaboratively together to create, evaluate and improve programs and other computing outcomes.
talk about their use of technology with confidence and appropriate vocabulary.
develop a secure understanding of the role of technology in the wider world, and to know about significant people and events in the history of computing.
navigate the online world safely and respectfully, with a clear understanding of when and how to get help and advice if they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.

Other elements of the wider ICT curriculum will be taught alongside other curriclum areas, as part of topic work. This will include Digital Publication and Presentation, Digital Research, Data Handling and the use of Digital Media.

Modern Foreign Language - Spanish

We believe it is essential for children to learn a MFL language and to provide children with an opening to other cultures. Spanish is the modern foreign language that we teach in our school.

Languages are part of the cultural richness of our society and the world in which we live and work. Learning languages contributes to mutual understanding, a sense of global citizenship and personal fulfilment. The ability to understand and communicate in another language is a lifelong skill for education, employment and leisure in this country and throughout the world.

Learning languages gives pupils opportunities to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and to express themselves with increasing confidence, independence and creativity. They explore the similarities and differences between other languages and English and learn how language can be manipulated and applied in different ways.

The development of communication skills, together with an understanding of the structure of language, lay the foundations for future study of Spanish or other languages and support the development of literacy skills in a pupil’s own language.

Our aim is that at the end of Year 6 pupils will be able to:

understand and respond to spoken and written language from a variety of authentic sources
speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating what they want to say, including through discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation and intonation
write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using a variety of grammatical structures
discover and develop an appreciation of a range of writing in the language studied.

Other Curriculum Areas

Religious Education

We believe it is essential for children to learn about and respect religious and non-religious faith and beliefs as it provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self, the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.

It also encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a pluralistic society and global community.

Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their children from any or all Religious Education (RE) lessons. However, we strongly encourage all pupils to take part, as we believe it is in every child’s best interest to be included in all RE learning. Religious Education plays an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment, and lifelong learning. It helps pupils develop respect for and sensitivity towards others, especially those whose faiths and beliefs differ from their own.

RE Overview

Tower Hamlets RE Syllabus

Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE)

Our Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme helps to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. At Osmani, children’s wellbeing, happiness, and safety are our first priority and PSHE is the key vehicle through which we share this with children. We regard PSHE as an important, integral component of the whole curriculum; it is central to our approach and at the core of our ethos.

Our PSHE curriculum is broad and balanced, ensuring that it promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of our children. We strive to encourage our children to understand how all actions have consequences and how they can make informed choices to help themselves, others and the world around them.

In PSHE the emphasis is on encouraging individual responsibility, awareness and informed decision making to promote healthy lifestyles. We want children to:

know how to recognise and manage emotions within a range of relationships.
know how to recognise risky or negative relationships, including all forms of bullying and abuse, and ask for help.
develop and maintain a variety of healthy relationships within a range of social and cultural contexts.
know how to respect equality and diversity in relationships.
develop skills that strive to challenge negative thought processes.
understand their role in teams and co-operate with others, taking their feelings into account.
develop independence and work both independently and as part of a team towards success.
know how to maintain physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing.
be aware of safety issues, including how to respond in an emergency.
know how to manage change, including puberty, transition and loss.

Financial Education

'To prepare our students for success in an ever-changing world and empower student aspirations to achieve financial well-being and happiness.'

At Osmani, we recognise the importance of preparing our learners for an ever-changing financial climate. To this end, we have embedded financial education into our Numeracy, Jigsaw, and Citizenship curriculum to ensure that all of our learners are well-prepared to make informed decisions about spending money, saving money, and budgeting.

Financial Education Framework