How We Teach Understanding of the World

Understanding the World focuses on helping children explore and make sense of their world. At school

children learn about people from different communities and places. This gives a rich introduction to the wonderful diversity in the world laying the foundations for an exciting, connected and fulfilled life.

The World

We encourage our children to explore the natural world, experience different weather conditions, and appreciate all living things. Our rich outdoor environment allows children to foster a curiosity about their natural surroundings and take part in growing plants and vegetables. We teach them to identify birds, minibeast and small animals and provide experiences across the year to give first hand experiences watching animals and insects grow.

Belonging

It is imperative to us that all members of our school community feel a sense of belonging. Our curriculum ensures that we provide planned sessions teaching children to embrace and appreciate different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives within the community. We provide training for all staff on embracing diversity to give them the confidence to seize opportune moments to celebrate difference and we invite members of the community from different professions, religions and cultures to come and share their experiences.

People and Communities

We encourage our children to make sense of their physical world and their community. We map out a range of experiences and enrichment opportunities to expose children to different lifestyles, occupations and cultural heritage of those in the communities around them. All of which are underpinned by providing children with an enriched accessed to vocabulary to describe their themselves and their aspirations within their local community.

Supportive Environment

We provide high quality welly boots and waterproofs so that children can access outdoors in all weathers.
A wide range of visits and visitors are planned to broaden children’s knowledge of other communities.
Resources have been developed and activities planned to ensure that online safety can be taught in an age-appropriate way.
We provide carefully chosen stories and resources which explore the world around us, are inclusive, represent diversity and are reflective of our school community.

Technology

We spend time understanding what technology children access at home and identify the areas where we can offer further support. We use technology mindfully and refrain from using screens unless it absolutely adds value to children’s learning (for example by providing video clips of religious celebrations or topical events.) We integrate everyday technology, such as torches, recordable pegs, music devices etc. We teach children and parents how to stay safe online and appropriate strategies and resources are shared with the whole school community.

Family Involvement

We invite parents/family members into school to share skills, hobbies, celebrations and read stories in their home language.
We share activities for home that promote looking at the natural world in different seasons.
We share information, guidance and resources to support parents to keep their children safe online.