A twist on traditional lessons, our skill slams are a blend of direct teaching of new concepts for Prep school children, with time set aside for self-selection of carefully prepared resources and challenges for pupils to self-manage their progress in the fields of learning below.
The fields of learning contain information on how pupils learn knowledge in each subject, both discreetly and through project-based learning.
Learning happens both in and out of the classroom, in Big Studies, STEAM workshops and WILD Fridays, in a cross curricular fashion linked to other projects students are working on.
During Maths Skill Slams the class are sometimes split into two halves; whilst one half spends time with their teacher who explains and demonstrates new mathematical concepts and sets the group challenges to test their application, the other group will be choosing from a selection of intentional resources to practise a concept of maths mastery that the class is working on that particular half term.
The class teaching partner supports students to work in a self-directed way, selecting challenges at an appropriate level for them and tracking their progress before they move on to something harder. Pupils and teachers can use the Seesaw App on their class iPad to record their work and write an observation about their learning and achievement that is recorded in their digital profile, assessed against the National Curriculum and is shared with parents as needed.
Learning literacy crosses through all parts of our curriculum as there is always a need to read for research and to speak and write to share your knowledge.
So it happens explicitly and organically throughout the day across the school. Our dedicated Library is a space to be seduced by language, stories, books, poems and creative writing, and to develop skills in literacy and oracy. The pupils have developed the space to be inviting and relaxing with bean bags and cosy nooks. This can be used at breaktime or after school to fully immerse themselves in the literacy world.
Classes work as a whole or in half groups supported by the teacher and teaching partner. One half may use our school Library to read or write stories collaboratively, linked to other project work from WILD Fridays, STEAM or Big Studies projects, whilst the other half learns some knew knowledge about complex adverbs, for example because it could be useful in their next piece of writing.
Reading at home is actively encouraged and our youngest learners begin their journey into developing a love of reading and writing by exploring stories and using Montessori materials for sound blending and segmenting, along with the Read Write Inc phonics system.
Children have the chance to learn instruments through peripatetic lessons and gain grades if they want to.
Class music takes place in our Music and Drama Studios.
Music workshops and singing have their own place within the timetable, but music is also an area pupils will be able to enjoy as part of their self-directed studies, Big Studies projects and Wild Friday activities. Our school environment lends itself well to musicality.
Science – Technology – Engineering – Art – Maths.
Our STEAM Lab is a place for examining the world through the lens of biology, chemistry and physics as well as integrating design, invention, aesthetic and technology.
Our cross-curricular teaching of science and technology enables students to make links about how the world works both naturally and synthetically. This fosters engagement as children understand that what they are learning actually applies to them in real life.
Our STEAM sessions are supported by an expert science teacher who help devise a curriculum based on investigation that applies an enquiry-based approach to challenge students to think for themselves and develop a researcher’s mindset. Inspiring speakers such as local designers, engineers, coders and medics are invited into school regularly to introduce students to real life problem solving and explore future career pathways.
Our Atelierista (Resident Artist), is an expert in interactive art, multi-media, sculpting, screen printing graphic design, animation and illustrations.
Our Ateliers (Creative Studios) are furnished with the highest grade painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles, woodwork and digital creativity equipment, as well as music production software, video and animation software and podcasting and vlogging tools – for students to create and express themselves in infinite ways.
Our Atelierista’s driving force is curiosity. Interest in all things and processes allows the pupils to engage in a wide range of media and creative styles.
Our chosen foreign language is Spanish. Pupils learn through fun and engaging games and songs, as well as role playing everyday scenarios to understand foreign language in a context.
Exposing students to different languages and cultures also happens through themed culinary weeks, world music and dance workshops or exploring world politics.
For example, the whole school community might tuck into homemade Chinese food made by the skilled chef to celebrate Chinese New Year.
As well as a large outdoor area and the rolling green spaces of Broadfield Park at our disposal, just a minute’s walk away the students access the K2 Sports Centre for indoor climbing, swimming, diving, hockey, football, squash, badminton, trampolining, athletics and gymnastics (plus many more options).
We now have our Gold School Games mark for attending more fixtures in the local community. Our wall climbers are being put forward for their NICAS climbing qualification.
As one of the largest sporting facilities in the South East, the K2 is a real gem in the offering of Atelier 21, as it means we have competition grade sports facilities on our doorstep along with trained teachers to access teaching specialist sports.
Sports and games for the upcoming terms is decided democratically and being a small school we can be flexible to incorporate specialist sports from time to time as the students request, such as fencing, horse riding or judo.
Since starting, the school we have put on a number of performances including the production of Matilda JR at The Hawth Theatre on its main stage and Seussical Musical which was performed with full staging outside the school. Drama is also taught around the school wherever the pupils and teachers feel is the most appropriate setting. We also offer LAMDA lessons with an external provider.
As well as a dedicated drama studio they could often be seen reading through a play in the school Piazza, in the park grounds under a tree, or devising a scene on WILD Fridays on the beach or in the forest.
Drama workshops are planned emergently, and are linked to the fields of interest that the pupil’s may have.
