KEY STAGE 1 (YEARS 1 & 2)

KEY STAGE 1 (YEARS 1 & 2)

Home > KEY STAGE 1 (YEARS 1 & 2)

"An inspiring educational experience is the greatest gift we can give our children and that is why choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make. A genuine ethos of warmth and positive learning has been instilled across our school and the flame of learning is well and truly lit at Hartland International School. I look forward to welcoming you and your family to join us on our journey."

Mrs. Shahida Ibrahim Head of Primary

Academics

In Key Stage 1, students in Years 1 and 2 follow the National Curriculum for England, focusing on foundational skills in core subjects. English lessons emphasise reading, writing, speaking, and listening, using high-quality texts to build literacy. Mathematics lessons apply concepts to real-life situations, enhancing problem-solving and analytical skills. Inquiry-based Science lessons foster curiosity and hands-on exploration. Specialist subjects include Art, Physical Education, and Music, where expert teachers develop students' creativity, motor skills, and auditory abilities. From Year 2, students are introduced to modern foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin, promoting early language acquisition. The cross-curricular approach ensures a clear progression of skills and knowledge.

Enrichment

Key Stage 1 students at Hartland International School engage in a variety of extra-curricular activities that enhance their learning and personal development. Sports such as football, basketball, rugby, cricket, netball, tennis, aquathlon, cross-country, athletics, swimming, and golf promote physical fitness, teamwork, and resilience. Creative arts and crafts foster creativity and fine motor skills, while music and performing arts sessions introduce instruments, rhythms, melodies, and drama, boosting language development and confidence. Clubs and enrichment programmes, like LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) and Formula1, ignite new passions and extend interests. Outdoor learning activities encourage resilience, creativity, and physical development, teaching students to manage risks safely. These activities provide a well-rounded educational experience, supporting the physical, emotional, and social growth of each child.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care for Key Stage 1 students at Hartland International School ensures every child's well-being through a nurturing approach. The ‘Hart to Hearts’ programme fosters strong teacher-student relationships for a personalised experience. The inclusive approach includes specialist teachers offering additional support in small groups or one-to-one settings. A Gifted and Talented coordinator challenges more able students. Regular communication with parents ensures collaborative support. The school's facilities, including a gym, swimming pool, library, auditorium, sports pitches, and ICT suite, enhance academic and extra-curricular activities, creating a supportive environment. These facilities promote a well-rounded education, supporting the physical, emotional, and social growth of each child, helping them develop into confident, independent, and socially skilled individuals.

TYPICAL DAY OF KEY STAGE 1 (YEARS 1 & 2)

07:40 AM - 08:30 AM

The morning kicks off with literacy activities, where students work on phonics, reading, and writing skills. Lessons are interactive and often involve group discussions, role-play, and creative storytelling.

08:30 AM - 09:10 AM

Next, the children dive into mathematics, exploring numbers and solving simple problems. The lessons are hands-on and focused on practical application, encouraging students to develop confidence in their mathematical abilities.

09:10 AM - 09:40 AM

After a productive morning, students enjoy a healthy snack and some outdoor playtime. This is a vital part of their day, allowing them to recharge and socialize with their peers in a fun and active environment.

09:40 AM - 10:30 AM

Students then move on to their topic lessons, which combine elements of history, geography, and science. Through creative projects and investigations, they learn about the world around them and develop critical thinking skills.  

10:30 AM - 11:20 AM

In this session, students participate in specialist lessons like art, physical education, or music. These activities are designed to enhance creativity, physical development, and self-expression.

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM

Students have a dedicated period for learning an additional language, either Arabic or French. This helps them develop linguistic skills early on while exposing them to different cultures.

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

It’s time for lunch, where students enjoy their meals and relax in a supervised setting. This break allows them to unwind and prepare for the remainder of the school day.

12:30 PM - 01:30 PM

After lunch, students engage in enquiry-based learning sessions that encourage collaboration and problem-solving. Whether it's a science experiment or a group project, students are actively involved in their own learning.

01:30 PM - 02:00 PM

The day ends with a calming storytime, where students listen to engaging tales that spark their imaginations. Teachers also take this time to reflect with the students on what they learned during the day.

Care

At Hartland, our nurturing environment blends a strong academic curriculum with personalised pastoral care, fostering social and emotional development. In Key Stage 1, pupils receive individual attention, building confidence and a sense of belonging while thriving academically and personally through a love for learning and hands-on exploration.

Ambition

At Hartland, we emphasise academic excellence and language proficiency from an early age, nurturing a passion for learning in English, Mathematics, and Science. Our Enrichment Programme offers creative and physical development through arts, sports, and music, helping pupils discover and develop their passions in a supportive environment that promotes confidence and a positive approach to learning.

Challenge

Hartland's curriculum encourages critical thinking and curiosity, with Subject Specialists and Class Teachers pushing pupils to explore and ask questions. Extracurricular activities provide opportunities to step outside comfort zones, fostering resilience and preparing pupils for future success, supported by a caring pastoral system that ensures every child feels valued and supported.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Key Stage 1 at Hartland International School?

The first stage of the National Curriculum for England is called Key Stage 1 and encompasses Years 1 and 2. These are the frist two years of priary school following the transition from the Foundation Stage of the Early Years Framework where children experience a more structured and tradirional primary school environment.

Who teaches the children in Key Stage 1?

Children in Key Stage 1 are taught predominantly by a specialist class teacher along each of whom are skilled helping stretch the core and key skill areas of literacy, oracy, phonics and numeracy. 

What subjects are included in the Key Stage 1 curriculum?

The curriculum includes core subjects such as English, mathematics, and science, as well as music, art, languages, design technology and physical education all taight by specialist subject teachers.

How does Hartland International School support language learning in Key Stage 1?

Language proficiency is a priority with a commitment to teaching Arabic and an intorduction to modern foreign languges as a carosel from Year 2. 

What is the teaching style at Hartland International School?

Hartland employs a contextual teaching style, connecting learning to the real world to make it more engaging and memorable for students.

How does the school encourage independence in learning?

As a school following the High Performance Learning pathway, metacognition and critical thinking are key elements of our approach and students are encouraged to make decisions and seek greater independence in their learning through a variety of challenges and investigative work across the curriculum.

What opportunities are there for performing arts in Key Stage 1?

The school has a strong performing arts programme with specaialist teacgingh in music across Key Stage 1 where students can develop their creativity through individual and group performances. In addition the school has a strong choral tradition and choir is integral to the teaching of music.

What is the Hartland Enrichment Programme?

The Enrichment Programme offers a wide range of academic, creative and sporting activities designed to ignite new passions and extend existing interests and is offered by class teachers two days a week and by external providers on the remaining days.

Are there specialist teachers for certain subjects?

Yes, from Year 2, there is extensive specialist teacher provision in the subjects of music, art, design technology, computer science, and modern foreign languages.

How does the school support students of determination?

The school has a storng inclusion department cating to the needs of all learners. For some that might be additional specialist support in language learning, for others, it might be addiotnla learning needs, whilst for others, it might be a specialist gifted and talented programme. Whatever the need, the school makes appropriate provision. 

How does Hartland International School connect learning to the real world?

The contextual curriculum ensures that students can connect their learning to real-world scenarios, making education more practical and relevant.