Step 1 at Fern House School provides an engaging and diverse curriculum, building upon foundational knowledge and encouraging pupils to explore their local community, historical events, global climates, and different cultures. This phase aims to develop confident, curious, and empathetic learners through a variety of cross-curricular topics and hands-on activities.

Key Themes & Cross-Curricular Learning:

Step 1 is structured around five stimulating themes designed to broaden pupils' understanding of the world around them:

• Autumn 1: My Local Area - This Geography-focused theme encourages pupils to explore what makes their local area special, considering aspects like jobs, housing, schools, and transport. It also prompts reflection on personal favourite places and potential improvements, fostering a sense of community and civic responsibility.
• Autumn 2: Christmas / The Romans - This split theme delves into both religious and historical understanding. The Christmas component explores why Christians celebrate Christmas and the significance of traditions like gift-giving, while also addressing empathy for those who find the season difficult. The Roman aspect investigates why the Romans came to Britain, how they changed life, and encourages empathy for both Roman soldiers and Britons.
• Spring 1: Climate - This Geography and History theme examines why certain animals, like meerkats, cannot live in extreme climates like the North Pole, exploring how weather affects life in different regions. It encourages pupils to consider the challenges of living in such environments and how their own lives would differ.
• Summer 1: Islam - This RE topic introduces pupils to key concepts in Islam, including the significance of the Qur'an and the role of Prophet Muhammed. It also encourages reflection on respect for others, the importance of stillness and silence, and caring for the world.
• Summer 2: The 1960s - A History theme that explores life in the 1960s, comparing it to the present day through aspects like cooking habits and children's play. Pupils also engage with toys from the era, reflecting on what they might miss from contemporary times.

Creative Arts & Practical Application:

Step 1 incorporates a vibrant arts curriculum to foster creativity and expression:

• Music: Pupils explore classical music themes through animals, focusing on percussive sounds, singing, and performance. They also delve into musical concepts like pulse, tempo, dynamics, timbre, pitch, and rhythm.
• Design & Technology (D&T): The curriculum includes making moving storybooks inspired by "Under the Sea" and culminates in designing and making puppets, encouraging practical skills in joining fabrics, designing, and decorating.
• Art: Pupils develop drawing skills, engage with sketchbooks, and experiment with media like Lego printing. They also explore painting techniques, focusing on composition, textures, shades, and colours, particularly in the context of beach scenes. The curriculum also introduces them to artists like Louis Wain.

Science & Digital Literacy:

• Science: This phase covers "Plants and Humans," prompting pupils to classify animate and inanimate objects, and explore the needs of living things, including themselves, puppies, and plants. It also delves into "Push and Pull" forces, investigating gravity, movement, and the properties of magnets. "Seasonal Changes" are observed, focusing on how seasons affect trees, daily life, and material choices. "Chemical Changes" are introduced through concepts like melting, heating, freezing, and mixtures, distinguishing between reversible and irreversible changes.
• Computing: Utilising the 'Kapow' scheme, pupils develop digital literacy skills through planning and taking photos, editing images, and searching for pictures to create collages. They are introduced to data analysis, including keyboard use, word processing, and creating databases for topics like zoos and minibeasts. "Staying Safe Online" is an ongoing theme throughout the year.

Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE/RSE):

PSHE/RSE in Step 1 focuses on personal development and social understanding, covering themes such as "Changing Me," "Relationships," "Healthy Me," "Being Me In My World," "Celebrating Differences," and "Dreams and Goals". These topics are designed to help pupils understand themselves, build healthy relationships, celebrate diversity, and explore different career paths.