Curriculum
We teach English, Maths, Science, Art and Philosophy as core subjects and cover Geography and History in our cross-curricular approach.
With children being taught individually and in small groups, their progress is usually well ahead of their peers in other primary school environments. We set half-term targets and assess the children’s progress at the end of each term. The children are not ‘pushed’ with their learning, they are taught according to their own style (visual, auditory, kinaesthetic) matched by their own pace. Teaching using this approach results in children who are able to confidently progress with their learning.
By the time the children complete the Bloo House curriculum at age 10/11 they are well prepared for the next stage of their academic life, whether this is sitting entrance exams, attending senior school or home-education.
English
Emphasis is placed on gaining academic results in reading, comprehension, handwriting, creative writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. We advocate the importance of creative expression and fully support children expressing themselves through their own stories and poetry. Our stock of fiction and non-fiction books means that children are never short of reading material to take home and share with their parents.
Maths
Mathematics is taught practically. Children learn to visualise and construct each mathematical concept prior to completing pencil and paper exercises. The skills of mental processing and the ability to solve number problems are consistently being challenged through these practical activities. Cross-curricular multi-sensory activities such as cooking and gardening support the acquisition of weights and measures. Our results show that being able to manipulate numbers through practical understanding increases future maths and science results.
Spanish
Our weekly class is taught by a native speaker who concentrates on teaching Spanish vocabulary in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Children confidently take part in games giving them the informal opportunity to rehearse and practise their Spanish. They are then able to move onto learning the grammatical context of Spanish. Building rapport with the teacher is key to the children gaining a strong rapport with the language and therefore learning how to express themselves in that language.
French
Our class is aimed at improving the conversational side of this language. As with Spanish lessons, children take part in various exercises and games in a relaxed environment that aids their linguistic skills in French.
Philosophy
Our approach to teaching philosophy for children improves critical, creative and rigorous thinking. By building on the children’s own wonder and curiosity about ideas that are vitally important to them such as truth, goodness, love, friendship, rules and fairness, the children develop their higher order thinking skills and the attitudes necessary for good thinking.
The process of being enabled to question and discuss their ideas encourages the children to take increased responsibility for their own learning and to develop as independent learners. This improves not only their communication skills, but also their ability to work with others.
Art
We believe that all children can make use of artistic mediums as another means of expressing themselves. The children are taught specific techniques such as watercolour painting, often demonstrated by a local artist. We dedicate time specifically to the pursuit of non-directed activities as this allows children the freedom in which to follow their own creative impulses.
Prizes in local art competitions have been won by our children for their artistic endeavours.
Play
Play is a central part of our curriculum. We fully encourage children to play through their learning and to be enabled to share games and ideas with their friends. They create characters and scenarios and are enabled to follow through on these imaginative journeys from day to day. We provide a wide array of toys and resources that enable the children to have “props” at hand. Several Bloo House children attend drama and dance schools and have made appearances on stage and television.
