OVERVIEW IN THE PRE-PREP The Pre-Prep curriculum comprises two separate stages :
The Early Years ( Pre-Nursery , Nursery and Reception )
Children begin their education based around the English Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum . This curriculum advocates a play-based approach and the concept of ‘ The Unique Child ’. This means each child is different and learns in many ways . It also values how children learn through the aspect of Characteristics of Effective Learning . It is split into seven distinct areas : four core and three specific .
– Communication and language ( core ) – Personal , social and emotional development ( core ) – Physical development ( core ) – Literacy ( specific ) – Mathematics ( specific ) – Understanding the world ( specific ) – Expressive arts and design ( specific )
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INTERNATIONAL PRIMARY CURRICULUM ( IPC )
At Wellington , we follow the IPC from years 1 to 5 . The IPC has been selected for our pupils due to its international approach to education , high curriculum standards and relevant and meaningful assessments . The IPC is a superb , inquiry-based learning tool trusted in over 1,600 schools in 92 countries . It offers a comprehensive , thematic and creative programme where a variety of subjects are covered cross-curricular within the theme of the chosen topic . Subjects include science , history , geography , art , ICT , international and society , music and technology .
Whilst no one particular subject dominates the IPC , some units may focus more on a particular subject area . A detailed curriculum letter is sent to all parents at the beginning of a new unit , which informs them what their children will be learning and doing in the unit . The pupils start each new unit with a ‘ Wow Day ’, which the teachers organise to get the children excited about their upcoming unit , followed by a ‘ Knowledge Harvest ’, where the pupils think about and record what they already know about their upcoming unit .
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Skills : Finding out how to do things . Skills are practical and can be described as ‘ being able ’ to do something . For example : being able to tie shoelaces , being able to read a map , being able to perform an operation . There are skills within every subject that children study at school ; from mathematics to art to history to science to music . Skills take time to develop and as we learn , we learn skills in small , progressive steps .
Understanding : Developing a sense of the meaning behind why we know and do things . Understanding involves a combination of accumulated knowledge , practiced skills and reflection over time . In addition , a real strength of the IPC is that it allows teachers to use ‘ host country ’ examples and learning experiences to teach their pupils . This means that when learning through subjects such as history and geography , the teachers will be able to teach using ‘ China based ’ examples and lessons where appropriate . The IPC prepares our pupils for the ever-changing world in which we live by giving them the skills to be independent thinkers , adaptable and open-minded . It has been a great success at Wellington so far .
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Children in Early Years also have daily Chinese lessons for 30 minutes and weekly library , music , PE and swimming classes ( save that pre-nursery children will not have swimming ). Children in nursery and reception also have daily phonics sessions and maths is taught as an integral part of the daily routine . All other areas of learning are taught through the various contexts we have throughout the year , which generally change each half term period .
Key Stage 1 ( years 1 and 2 )
The children progress to the English National Curriculum for literacy , mathematics and phonics . In all other subjects they follow the International Primary Curriculum ( IPC ). Further details on the IPC will follow . Children in year 1 and year 2 have daily phonics , literacy , maths , Chinese and IPC lessons . Phonics classes in Key Stage 1 are streamed according to children ’ s previous exposure to phonics and retention of prior learning . They are also streamed for Chinese .
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Over the ensuing weeks , the children will take part in a variety of lessons , projects and activities all geared towards the theme of their current unit . This is known as ‘ The Big Picture ’. Ultimately , the pupils finish with an ‘ Exit Point ’, which is essentially an amalgamation of what they have learned in that particular unit . During the course of each unit , the teachers will undertake selected assessments of each pupil and the pupils will have the opportunity to assess themselves against a clear set of criteria .
The IPC itself focuses on three areas , which are knowledge , skills and understanding .
Knowledge : Facts that we as educators think our pupils need to know . This is information that we know is true and the way we answer a knowledge question will be either right or wrong . For example : Paris is the capital of France . That is knowledge .
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STAFF
Every child in the Pre-Prep has a class teacher and teaching assistant . In Pre-Nursery , due to the age of the children , we have three teaching assistants in the classroom . The class teacher teaches the main parts of the curriculum and leads the pastoral role . The class teachers are supported by other specialist teachers , who take a larger role as the children get older . This allows children to become familiar with a variety of adults , which promotes their independence and adaptability skills .
All our class teachers are trained to the highest standards and are experienced in teaching the English curriculum . Many of our teachers have degrees in Early Years and primary education , which are supplemented by formal teaching qualifications . Our teaching body reflects the international profile of our students , with teachers joining us from Europe , America , Australia and New Zealand . We ensure that our teaching staff embody the values and high expectations of Wellington as well as bringing their own personality and interests into the classroom .
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