Core Curriculum

Our Core Curriculum consists of these key areas: 

Reading 

Reading is a crucial skill that supports learning across the whole curriculum. We place our focus on fostering a love of books and literature among our students. We read in different ways at ISM to ensure that students develop reading habits that will remain with them throughout their school life and beyond. 
Writing 

English Language lessons encourage students to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively in a range of genres. Students learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and plays, as well as non-fiction and media texts. The structure of the language is explored through work on grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting. 

Mathematics 

Mathematics is a creative and inter-connected discipline and provides solutions to some intriguing problems. It is also essential to everyday life, and critical to science, technology and engineering. A good Mathematics education therefore provides a foundation for understanding the world, and the ability to reason mathematically. Mathematics is taught daily from Year One to Year Six in a way that ensures confidence and accuracy when using numbers in increasingly complex activities.  

Computing 

Students will have weekly lessons to improve their programming and coding skills. Laptops and iPads will be regularly used in classrooms as a crucial tool across the curriculum. Students use technology tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly and creatively. They learn how to employ technology to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures. 

Science 

Through science, students understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change, thus impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. Students are taught to work scientifically by asking simple questions, performing experiments and tests, making observations, classifying and presenting data, analysing functions, relationships and interactions, using evidence, reporting findings and drawing conclusions. 

Art and Design 

Art and Design stimulates creativity and imagination. Lessons provide visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world.  In their weekly lessons, students learn to use colour, form, texture, pattern and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life, and in different times and cultures. 

Integrated Curriculum 

In Years One to Four, students will enjoy a thematic approach to learning within the subject areas of History, Geography, Art and Design. This topic-based approach allows more clear links with the local context and the UK ensuring that learning is relevant and meaningful for all students. 

Each topic is carefully planned to incorporate opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, take some form of action, learn through enquiry, develop creativity and also offer real opportunities to develop their writing skills in a context. 

In Years Five and Six, these subject areas are taught separately in preparation for Secondary School.