Curriculum 

 Click on the links below to read about our curriculum. 

• Art and Design
  Art and Design

  Our art curriculum seeks both to inspire pupils' creativity and to systematically develop pupils' skills throughout their time at Hermitage. Pupils study the work of a wide range of artists and makers and use both the artists' work and the subjects being learnt about in English, History, Geography and Religious Studies as inspiration for their own creative projects. Each term, pupils across the school focus on a different artistic medium, including drawing, painting and sculpture. In Key Stage Two, children use sketch books to record the progress that they are making in developing their artistic skills. Pupils also have the opportunity to work with a professional artist on large scale installations, enabling them to work at a larger scale. In addition, we take advantage of our location to visit local art galleries which, luckily for us, happen to include the country's national art galleries!

  In Design and Technology, pupils have the opportunity to research, design, make and evaluate a wide range of products for different purposes and audiences. We use 'Projects on a Page' plans to help to structure pupils' learning and to enable our teachers to develop pupils design and making skills over the course of their time in school. Pupils begin by carrying out 'market research' to look at products which are currently on the market. Then they practise the skills which will be required to make their chosen product before designing, making and evaluating their final products. Where possible, we link the products being made to the topics being studied in humanities and science lessons, so that the children have the chance to put their skills to practical use!

• Computing
  Computing

  At Hermitage, we understand that the demands of the digital world will require more than just the development of high-level ICT skills. Children alsoneed to develop 'computational thinking'. They need to be able to solve problems, design systems and understand the limits of human and machine intelligence.

  Computing at Hermitage is a practical subject in which problem-solving, collaboration and creativity are encouraged. Whether it be children in the Early Years learning to program 'Blue Bots; or children in Years five and six getting to grips with Python, we aim to make Computing a useful and exciting subject that is "both visceral ('it works!') and intellectual ('thats so beautiful')

  We follow the 'Switched on Computing' scheme of work, which ensures that our pupils make steady progress through revisiting key skills each year, enabling the children to gradually develop their understanding and use of coding and programming; word-processing skills; using computing to create different forms of social media and to collect and interpret data. Each year, we teach the importance of e-safety, providing pupils with the skills they need to stay safe online.

• Early Years Curriculum
  Early Years Curriculum

• English
  English

  At Hermitage we aspire to deliver a rich and ambitious English curriculum, which inspires our children to achieve their very best. High quality literature is at the heart of our offer: we invite children to savour and ponder over texts, deepening learning, extending vocabulary and linking themes to the wider world. Exciting activities capture imaginations and class trips provide further enrichment. Drama, discussion, debates and retellings develop children's comprehension and oracy. Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure that pupils return to writing styles from year to year, giving pupils the opportunity to hone and perfect their skills. We have chosen a wide range of texts designed to introduce pupils both to classic authors and to contemporary writers and poets who reflect our multi-cultural society.￿

  In the Early Years and Key Stage One, reading is taught systematically, following THE Partnership Phonics Programme. Children's reading development is supported by our comprehensive selection of reading books, which are read both in school and at home. In the younger years (Nursery to Year One) the vast majority of these reading scheme books are phonetically decodable, enabling pupils to apply the skills that they are learning in class; we use books from 'Pearson Bug Club' and 'Collins Big Cat'. As pupils achieve greater fluency in Year Two (or sooner, for some pupils) children are exposed to staged reading books which cover a wider range of themes and topics and help the pupils to develop their love of reading for pleasure. Whilst pupils learn to read, we encourage them to choose picture books and short chapter books which they can share with their families at home.￿￿

  In Key Stage Two, we teach reading comprehension skills in class, exploring texts together with a focus on discussing and interpreting the challenging texts that are being read. Pupils are able to choose books from the class book corner and our newly opened library offers further opportunities for pupils to explore high-quality fiction and non-fiction - which is doubly beneficial as we know that great readers become great writers!￿

  Students apply the skills learned from successful writers to their own purposeful compositions and embed them across the curriculum; for example, presenting their own war poems at our Remembrance Service and sharing autobiographies at our 'Who Do You Think You Are?' exhibition. Pupils compete in the Tower Hamlets Poetry Slam, Creative Writing Competition and Book Awards, working alongside professional authors and poets. Each year, we hold our own 'Midsummer Night's Dream' event with parents and all pupils perform in our highly acclaimed 'Shakespeare Festival' which is enjoyed by the whole school community every year.￿

• French
  French

  At Hermitage, the love for languages is embedded across the curriculum from Reception to Year Six. One of our key aims for languages at Hermitage Primary School is for pupils to develop a deep interest in - and appreciation of - other cultures. Through weekly French lessons, pupils develop their communication skills, focusing on acquiring strong speaking and listening skills in the younger year groups and progressing to reading and writing simple French in Years Five and Six.￿

  Our curriculum progressively develops pupils' French language skills, with key words and phrases revisited and applied in different, increasingly complex, scenarios. We use stories, songs, poems and other short texts to develop pupils' language learning skills and strategies. In addition to developing pupils' language skills, we also teach pupils about French culture, language and traditions, celebrating key events throughout the year and offering pupils the opportunity to visit France on a school residential when they reach Key Stage Two.￿

• Geography
  Geography

  Our humanities curriculum embeds the teaching of Geography through a wide range of topics which seek to give pupils a secure understanding of their place in the world. In Key Stage One, pupils learn about their local area; a contrasting British locality about about the continents and oceans of the world. In Key Stage Two, more in-depth studies allow for further studies of human geography as we learn about contrasting cultures and locations and also about aspects of physical geography which help children to understand key concepts such as the water cycle; the journey of a river and how and why volcanoes and earthquakes occur. Progression in fieldwork skills is built across units, with pupils given ample opportunities to develop mapping, technical drawing and compass skills. Other units offer scope for children to use digital resources, gloves and atlases to explore regions. Where appropriate, links are built with other subjects, including history, English and science.￿

• History
  History

  At Hermitage, we provide an engaging history curriculum which ignites a curiosity to know more about the past in key stage one pupils encounter figures and events from history as well learning life recent through hands on use of historical artefacts we teach children think like historian ask perceptive questions how interpretations are created

  As they progress to Key Stage Two, pupils take a chronological journey through history, learning not only about the history of the British Isles but also investigating key civilisations and eras in Asian and African history. Pupils are taught to cast a critical eye over historical sources and understand key concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, and similarity and difference.

  Through revisiting key themes, pupils are taught key vocabulary and learn to make links between subjects.

  We make sure that we make the most of our amazing location, too, with regular trips to historical sites, including local places of interest such as the Tower of London and the London Docks and going into town to visit London's fabulous museums.

• Mathematics
  Mathematics

  We love maths at Hermitage because it is packed with fun and engaging challenges which are pitched at the appropriate level for our inclusive community. We strive to make sure all learners are inspired and launch themselves into any challenge set.

  Each year, we revisit the five big ideas adopted to enable children to master any mathematical concept. These are:￿fluency, mathematical thinking, coherence, variation and representation and structure. These ideas shape our practise and provide our learners with a deep and lasting understanding of mathematical procedures and concepts. Each lesson is well sequenced and includes small steps which, in turn, provide coherence and greater rates of progression for all children.

  We aim to expose the connections between procedures and concepts through the use of precise questioning, hooks which not only excite but contextualise the knowledge or skills being learnt, use of a CPA approach, use of mathematical vocabulary, giving learners the opportunity for intelligent practice as well as time for reflection.

  We have a desire to make learning meaningful and memorable. Instead of relying upon one published scheme of work, we make cross-curricular links through our personalised curriculum; our use of the local area helps us to achieve this. This inspires children to excel not only within the classroom but on projects such as fundraisers; enabling enterprise; maths days and maths competitions.

• Music
  Music

  Music forms a key part of our curriculum at Hermitage. We are a percussion specialist school which means external tutors teach African drumming for EYFS to Year 2, Glockenspiels for Years 3 and 4 and Steel Pans for Years 5 and 6.

  Pupils learn how to recognise and repeat a rhythm, to read simple notation and to perform in an ensemble.

  Each term culminates in a Festival of Music, where students enjoy singing and playing their instruments together.

  In addition to their weekly lessons, Key Stage 2 pupils work with a professional musician to compose and perform their own songs on a theme, learning about an era of musical history to create songs in a particular style.

  It is incredible to witness each student's progress in expression, clarity and confidence from regular performances!

• Outdoor Learning
  Outdoor Learning

• Physical Education
  Physical Education

  Pupils at Hermitage Primary school have two hours of PE lessons per week and, from Years One to Six, this is taught by a dedicated sports coach who develops pupils' physical abilities through a range of different games and sports.￿

  In the Early Years, pupils are taught to develop their gross motor skills through being given the opportunity to use a range of apparatus. They have continual access to large climbing equipment, bikes, scooters balls and large building blocks. They are encouraged to work together to navigate obstacles and to make towers and play structures. By the end of their time in Reception class, we aim for all pupils to have good control and co-ordination in large and small movements.￿

  From Years One to Six, pupils are offered a broad curriculum including dance, gymnastics, ball skills and teamwork. We use the LPESSN scheme of work (from Bacon's College school) which ensures that pupils' skills are developed over the course of each unit and built upon in each subsequent year.￿

• PSHCE
  PSHCE

• Religious Studies
  Religious Studies

• Science
  Science

  We recognise that children are growing up in a world which requires them to be scientifically literate. We therefore aim to empower and motivate children to develop a lifelong love of science through exploration and discovery which will help them create a deeper critical understanding of the world around them.￿

  For children to achieve this, we provide children with high-quality real-life Scientific experiences that encourage a deeper understanding, rooted in Scientific enquiry skills. Practical hands-on lessons in class; dynamic experiences in the Hermitage Forest school; visits from important figures in the scientific community and school trips throughout the year all help to create an exciting and meaningful curriculum.￿

  Each year, pupils cover the key themes of the National Curriculum, beginning with knowledge and understanding of the world in the Early Years and progressing to key themes￿such as animals including humans, everyday materials and forces. Pupils also have the opportunity to explore key concepts such as sound, light, rocks and space.￿

  Most topics include the opportunity for investigations and pupils are taught to work scientifically by planning and carrying out their own experiments, developing their understanding of how to carry out a fair test; make observations; record their results and analyse their findings.￿