Our English Curriculum is based on the Cambridge Primary framework. In order to prepare our students for higher level study and to prepare them to sit IGCSEs at the end of Key Stage 4, we teach to the standards set out by this framework. To ensure that we best serve our pupils who join us from a variety of school systems from around the world and to honor their cultural heritages, we supplement the Cambridge Primary curriculum with a range of resources from around the world. This way we maintain an engaging, appropriate and flexible English curriculum tailored to our students’ needs.
The Maths teaching at River House Academy is rooted in the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. The focus of our primary Maths teaching is to develop number sense in our students. This might look very different from what you encountered at school. Students are encouraged to develop a range of strategies to solve problems, using different visual models. Teaching towards number sense enables students to make connections to real world contexts and apply their understanding to a wide range of problems. They become problem solvers rather than calculators.
The Humanities teaching at River House is concept based and takes its structure from the IB Primary Years Programme, and the Cambridge Global Perspectives curriculum. Students’ interests are at the centre of this approach. Throughout the year, classes choose how to investigate a range of concepts through different contexts. The focus on conceptual learning rather than the accumulation of facts fosters life long learners that are able to transfer their understanding to different contexts.
For every concept, the students will go through the inquiry cycle guided by their teacher.
The Science curriculum is based on the Cambridge Primary framework and standards. However, we put a strong emphasis on hands-on inquiry based learning. Through this approach we make sure to develop a wide range of skills. Students work towards understanding the concepts that underpin scientific knowledge and how to apply these to novel situations. We supplement the Cambridge Primary framework with resources from the Nuffield Foundation and other STEM focused curricula.
The inquiry cycle below shows what the different stages of inquiry learning entail.
Every morning starts with a short Class Time which is used to establish social bonds and create a positive class culture. There is strong emphasis on acquiring social and emotional competencies throughout the school and a PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) curriculum is interwoven with all subject areas. We also have Sex and Relationship lessons starting in the Pre-School. These are age appropriate lessons that enable children to make good choices about the bodies and relationships.
- Food and nutrition
- Gardening
- Physical Education
- Humanities
- Music
- Drama
- Dance
- Creative arts and crafts
- Technology
- Media Studies
- Personal Social Health and Careers Education