Each class benefits from a fully-qualified teacher, as well as a dedicated teaching assistant. Specialist teaching is also provided for specific subjects.
KS1 is a phase of primary education for pupils aged 5 to 7 in England. Children embark upon this phase of their educational journey in Year 1.
KS1 marks a shift from EYFS to more subject-specific learning, covering all compulsory national curriculum subjects:
Our Year 1 pupils delve deeper into music-making by learning to compose short pieces using rhythm and melody. They are introduced to traditional music notation, and perform their pieces on tuned percussion instruments. With the introduction of instrumental concerts and ensembles, they experience the excitement of performing for an audience.
In Year 2, our boys and girls take their musical skills to the next level, learning to play the recorder and expanding their understanding of musical notation. They refine their composition skills and engage in more complex group performances, including singing in parts and harmony. They strengthen their musicality, concentration, and teamwork skills.
All our boys and girls from Nursery upwards have the opportunity to develop their acting and performance skills through both class Drama with our specialist teachers, workshops and productions.
Productions include Harvest Festival, Christmas Nativity and a Summer Showcase performed in the Spinney Theatre.
From Year 1 upwards, all boys enjoy weekly Computing lessons to equip them to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.
Our Pre-Prep boys have the opportunity to explore a range of ICT equipment and software in lessons, including iPads and programmable robots. They learn practical skills to use the equipment, such as good keyboard and mouse skills, alongside fun challenges which require our boys to use coding and software for presenting information or images.
We encourage boys to express themselves creatively and tackle problem-solving tasks working in teams.
In Games and PE, children in Years 1 & 2 practice and develop fundamental movement skills (FMS) including speed, agility and quickness (SAQ). They also take part in gymnastics, focusing on balances, rolls and locomotion. During Games lessons they take part in rugby, football and cricket during each term. The Spring Term includes swimming lessons, hand/eye coordination activities and invasion games. The Summer Term includes swimming, athletic events and preparation for Sports Day held on Willsfield.
Weekly swimming lessons in our heated covered swimming pool focuses on teaching our Years 1 & 2 pupils to develop their confidence and ability in water. Lessons are tailored to each child’s individual ability, using a variety of inflatables and floats to ensure the lessons are fun and engaging!
Designed by The Beacon’s Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) department, International Studies aims to prepare children in Years 1-3 for the contemporary, multicultural society in which they live. It teaches them that learning about other countries (and other languages) is fascinating, relevant and great fun.
There are many opportunities for Outdoor Learning in the playground, on our playing fields Willsfield, and in the local countryside, where boys and girls can apply the skills they have learnt in Maths and Science.
Our Pre-Prep Library is a welcoming and colourful space where our Beacon Pupils are encouraged to browse and select books within their level. Various Beacon staff members around the school volunteer to hold regular storytelling sessions for children to enjoy.
Each half term, our Pre-Prep pupils enjoy experiential learning around specific topics, such as space, rainforest and stories around the world. These act as a focal point for educational activities across lessons. Often, to celebrate topic learning, our boys and staff engage in themed days where they dress up and get creative with fun and inspiring activities.
