Literacy

Literacy is fundamental to personal and social development. It empowers us to understand, evaluate, interpret and share knowledge, enabling us to communicate effectively and participate meaningfully in society.

At APS, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop strong reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Through these essential skills, we aim to equip our pupils with the confidence, knowledge and abilities they need to achieve their full potential.

 READING

At APS, we nurture a lifelong love of reading by encouraging children to read for both pleasure and learning. Pupils are exposed to a wide variety of books, stories and literary genres through well-resourced classrooms and our school library.

Our goal is to develop independent, fluent and thoughtful readers who can understand, interpret and reflect on what they read. We also encourage pupils to apply their reading skills across all areas of learning. Through engaging activities such as role-play, storytelling, reading initiatives and our *Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.)* programme, we make reading enjoyable, meaningful and an integral part of everyday school life.

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

At APS, literacy is at the heart of effective learning and communication. We recognise that strong speaking and listening skills enable children to express their thoughts, articulate their feelings, share ideas and confidently communicate their opinions.

We provide opportunities for pupils to participate in discussions, presentations, storytelling and collaborative activities that strengthen their communication skills. Equally, we teach children to listen attentively, appreciate different perspectives and respect the opinions of others. These skills help them build positive relationships, develop self-confidence and become respectful, responsible and effective communicators.

 WRITING

At APS, we inspire every child to become a confident, creative and capable writer. Through exposure to engaging, imaginative and original materials across a wide range of genres, pupils are encouraged to explore their creativity and develop a genuine love for writing.

Our approach helps children learn to write independently for different audiences and purposes, using appropriate vocabulary, grammar, structure and style. Pupils are also encouraged to review, evaluate and improve their own writing, as well as appreciate the work of others. We aim to help every child understand that writing is a powerful tool for expressing ideas, communicating information, sharing experiences and influencing positive change in society.

Numeracy 

Numeracy Vision

At APS, our vision is to develop pupils with strong numeracy skills who are literate, creative, independent, inquisitive, analytical and confident in applying mathematical concepts to everyday life.

We strive to achieve this by providing a stimulating learning environment equipped with appropriate resources and practical learning materials that enable every pupil to develop their mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to their fullest potential.

At APS, the teaching of Numeracy follows the National Numeracy Strategy Framework for Mathematics, with learning organised around the following key strands:

  • Numbers

  • Geometry and Measures

  • Handling Data

Specific Aims

At APS, we aim to ensure that our pupils:

  • Develop a clear understanding of number size, value and position within the number system.

  • Memorise essential number facts, including number bonds, multiplication tables, doubles and halves.

  • Apply known number facts to solve mathematical problems mentally and efficiently.

  • Perform calculations accurately using mental methods, written procedures and a range of appropriate strategies.

  • Recognise when a calculator is appropriate and use it effectively to solve mathematical problems.

  • Interpret and solve a variety of mathematical problems, including unfamiliar and non-routine problems, by identifying the appropriate operations and methods.

  • Explain their mathematical methods, ideas and reasoning using accurate mathematical vocabulary.

  • Evaluate the reasonableness of their answers and apply suitable strategies to check their calculations.

  • Identify appropriate units of measurement and make sensible estimates of length, weight, capacity, time and other measurable quantities.

  • Interpret information, identify patterns and draw conclusions from graphs, diagrams, charts and tables.

  • Develop spatial awareness and understand the properties and characteristics of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) shapes.

  • Apply mathematical knowledge and skills to practical situations, everyday activities and real-life problem-solving.

Science

At Academic Planet School (APS), our vision is to develop every child’s scientific knowledge, skills and understanding by providing opportunities to explore, investigate and discover the world around them.

We recognise that children are naturally curious and eager to learn. We therefore provide a stimulating, practical and inquiry-based science curriculum that nurtures their curiosity, encourages critical thinking and supports their intellectual development. Through engaging learning experiences, pupils are challenged to ask questions, conduct investigations, explore scientific concepts and expand their understanding of the natural world.

INTENT

At APS, we intend for our pupils to:

  • Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding across the key disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.

  • Understand the nature, processes and methods of science through different forms of scientific enquiry that enable them to investigate and answer questions about the world around them.

  • Acquire essential scientific skills to understand the applications and implications of science in everyday life and the future.

  • Develop curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving and observational skills through practical activities and investigations.

  • Apply scientific knowledge to real-life situations and make informed decisions about the world around them.

  • Build confidence in asking questions, making predictions, collecting evidence and drawing conclusions from scientific investigations.

IMPLEMENTATION

At APS, our teachers foster positive attitudes towards science and promote the belief that every child can achieve high standards. Our approach to teaching and learning is designed to develop scientific knowledge, practical skills and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts.

This is achieved through the following strategies:

  • Structured Lesson Planning: Teachers plan progressive lessons that build on pupils’ previous knowledge and provide opportunities for deeper understanding.

  • Inquiry-Based Learning: Pupils engage in investigations, experiments and problem-solving activities that encourage them to explore concepts, ask questions and discover answers independently.

  • Assessment and Retrieval Practice: Regular assessment questions, quizzes and revision activities help pupils revisit previously learned concepts and strengthen their long-term understanding.

  • Progressive Skill Development: Lessons build on the knowledge and scientific skills acquired in previous years, ensuring continuous development throughout the school.

  • Practical Scientific Activities: Scientific enquiry skills, including observing, predicting, measuring, classifying, recording and interpreting results, are integrated into lessons.

  • Use of Scientific Equipment: Teachers demonstrate the correct use of scientific tools and equipment while providing opportunities for pupils to develop practical skills safely and confidently.

  • Outdoor Learning: Wherever possible, pupils participate in outdoor learning experiences that enable them to observe, investigate and understand their natural surroundings.

IMPACT

Our Science Curriculum is carefully planned to ensure clear progression in pupils’ scientific knowledge, understanding and practical skills. We aim for every child to become a confident, curious and independent learner who can apply scientific thinking to everyday situations.

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

  • Assessment of Learning Outcomes: Reviewing pupils’ achievements against planned learning objectives to evaluate their progress and understanding.

  • Knowledge Tracking: Using pre-learning and post-learning quizzes, assessments and examinations to monitor knowledge acquisition and retention.

  • Pupil Discussions: Engaging pupils in discussions about their learning to assess their understanding, curiosity and ability to explain scientific concepts.

  • Practical Investigations: Evaluating pupils’ ability to observe, question, predict, investigate, record findings and draw evidence-based conclusions.

  • Monitoring Progression: Reviewing pupils’ development in scientific knowledge and skills across year groups to ensure that learning builds progressively over time.

Through this approach, Academic Planet School aims to nurture scientifically informed pupils who are curious about the world, confident in their abilities and equipped with the skills needed to explore, understand and contribute positively to society.