Our curriculum is structured over four and a half days and provides children with an eclectic range of inspiring subjects.
Core Subjects
English - Mathematics - Science - History - Geography - Spanish - Latin - French - Psychology & Philosophy - Art - Music - Drama - Cookery - Dance
Sports
Professional Sports Coaching - Yoga - Martial Arts - Golf
Outdoor
Forest School - Bushcraft
Extra Curricular
Piano - Singing - Flute/Fyfe - Guitar - Violin - Dance
Information Technology
In support of learning across the curriculum, teachers and pupils use Apple iPads. Such technology empowers IT skills and also adds an extra dynamic within lessons. These devices enable children to communicate and display their work in compelling ways and also provides teachers with an ideal tool for demonstrating a multitude of subjects interactively.
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 11 they are well prepared for the next stage of their academic life.
English
Emphasis is placed on 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.
Maths
Mathematics is taught using the Mathematics Enhancement Programme (MEP). The MEP is published by the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching (CIMT), based on math programs and teaching strategies used in Hungary, especially on materials developed by Professor Sándor Hajdu at the Petö Institute in Budapest. Professor David Burghes, head of the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching at Plymouth University adapted the course for primary schools, with the aim of raising expectations and attainment in mathematics teaching and learning. Its philosophy is based on recommendations resulting from the Kassel project, a 3-year international comparative research project.
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. Research shows that being able to manipulate numbers through practical understanding increases future maths and science understanding.
Science
Our science curriculum takes children beyond the fundamentals and covers all aspects of the scientific field.
Practical activities are conducted weekly, involving and engaging the children in the three areas of science; biology, physics and chemistry.
History & Geography
These subjects are taught within the curriculum through a cross curricular approach. Lessons that centre around key issues such as geographical formations and key times in history are supported by field trips to museums and other outdoor excursions.
This provides children with the chance to see and experience key issues that have affected the land and mankind.
Spanish / French
Our weekly classes are taught by native speakers who concentrate on teaching the vocabulary in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Children confidently take part in games giving them the informal opportunity to rehearse and practise the language. They are then able to move onto learning the grammatical context. Building rapport with the teacher is key to the children gaining a strong rapport with the language and therefore learning how to express themselves.
Latin
Lessons centre on a real life family who lived at Vindolanda in 100AD: Flavius the fort commander, his wife Lepidina, their three children, their cat Vibrissa - and Minimus the mouse.
As a language, Latin plays a key role in helping children establish the basics in their English grammar.
Our approach to teaching philosophy and psychology 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.
These skills are encouraged in everyday lessons and provide children with the understanding and importance of questioning.
We believe that all children can make use of artistic mediums as another means of expressing themselves.
Using a variety of materials and processes, children are encouraged to look at the elements of art, including pattern, colour, line and form.
In addition, through craftwork and the use of many different mediums and materials, children are free to express their individuality under the guidance of our specialist art and craft teacher.
These basic concepts are essential for the children’s continual development as artists, providing the building blocks enabling them to develop themselves in response to their environment.
Drama
These innovative sessions help children develop imagination, language skills, social skills, confidence and creative expression. Drama works to promote a child's imagination and is vital in giving a child the ability to deal with everyday feelings.
Several Bloo House children attend drama and dance schools and have made appearances on stage and television.
Music and Dance
Children begin to absorb the music of their surroundings from an early age and it is from this simple starting point that we begin to develop an understanding of music making. Music helps to develop a finer aesthetic sense; it offers the chance to participate in something active, creative and joyful.
The emotional development of children seems particularly heightened when music has its place in integrated learning. All our lessons incorporate music theory, use of voice and practical music making using instruments. However, generally these components are not worked on in an isolated format.
A holistic approach to the use of the voice, and the development of musical ability from within, are key to developing sensitive, enthusiastic musicians who will continue to enjoy and appreciate music throughout their lives.
For children who want to develop their musical ability, Bloo House also offers additional sessions in singing, piano, guitar, violin, wind instruments and percussion.
With music comes movement, so part of the school’s core curriculum involves dance. For those children with a passion to develop their moves further, extra curricular activities for movement and dance are also available.
Cookery
Cooking is a fantastic activity for children. As such, our younger pupils take part in cooking lessons every week. A variety of recipes is explored throughout the year, offering children the chance to learn academic and life skills, not usually developed in other classes.
Lessons about food and cooking give children practice in addition, measuring, caparison and fractions. As well as gaining knowledge about healthy food choices and where food comes from, children also gain a sense of accomplishment that comes from having completed a great tasting recipe.
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.