Humanities
Religious Education
At Holmwood School, the aim of Religious Education is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and
understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that
religious beliefs shape life and our behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about
religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
R Thompson Coordinator
Foreign Languages
French
At HolmwoodSchool we enjoy learning French. We have been fortunate to have a French native speaker in school to support staff and pupils with their French.
Our aim is for French to become embedded across the KS1 & 2 curriculum and for all pupils to develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries.
French lessons are to include:
- Learning French vocabulary
- Asking and answering questions
- Using bilingual dictionaries
- Playing games and learning songs
- Researching and learning about life in France and French speaking countries
- Beginning to write phrases and sentences
French is also included in whole school occasions such as French days and Theatre performances.
Hazel Bourne Coordinator
Geography
At Holmwood School we shape our geography curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Geography; providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum; ensuring the progressive development of geographical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for the children to develop a love for geography.
Mrs L Cairns Coordinator
History
Holmwood School aims are to fulfill the requirements of the National Curriculum for History; providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum that encompasses the British Values throughout; ensuring the progressive development of historical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for the children to study life in the past.
R Ford Coordinator
Personal, Health, Social, Economic Education
Holmwood School has adopted the JigSaw Programme
Jigsaw is a national recognised scheme of work to meet a child’s personal, social, health and emotional education. This involves a study on relationships and how a person will change over time.
Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE/HWB, brings together Personal, Social, Health Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. A lesson a week with the teaching resources included, helps teachers to focus on tailoring the lessons to their children’s needs and to enjoy building the relationship with their class, getting to know them better as unique human beings.
Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly, generating a whole school focus for adults and children alike.
Welcome to the Jigsaw teaching and learning
Jigsaw is sequential, the six puzzles (units) starting with ‘Being Me in My World’ (BM) at the beginning of the school year and working through to the end of the year:
- BM (Being Me in My World)
‘Who am I and how do I fit?’ - CD (Celebrating Difference)
Respect for similarity and difference. Anti-bullying and being unique - DG (Dreams and Goals)
Aspirations, how to achieve goals and understanding the emotions that go with this - HM (Healthy Me)
Being and keeping safe and healthy - RL (Relationships)
Building positive, healthy relationships - CM (Changing Me)
Coping positively with change
