Joseph Hood School seeks to nurture the whole child and to help them grow into engaged and motivated members of society. We want our pupils to become lifelong learners, who take their education seriously and who achieve their goals. We work from and develop the National Curriculum to meet our children's needs, ensuring all our pupils receive a broad and balanced curriculum.

The Early Years Foundation Stage  
(Nursery and Reception) 

The Foundation Stage begins when a child enters Nursery and finishes at the end of Reception year. The Foundation Stage is divided into seven areas of learning: Personal, social and emotional development (PSED), Communication and Language (C+L), Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge and understanding of the world, Physical development, Expressive arts and design.

Children will learn through first-hand experiences, play (both child and adult-led), and speaking and listening supported by school staff. Adults working in the Foundation Stage make observations and keep records to track how each child is progressing. These are shared with parents on Evidence Me.

In Early Years, they have several visitors throughout the year. The farm comes with several animals. A paramedic visits with his ambulance and equipment and a mini-beast expert. 

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

There is a transition phase as children start Key Stage 1 and make the change to a slightly more structured day and way of learning.

Key Stage 1 builds on the skills learnt in the Foundation Stage.

Year 1 is a key year when transition is crucial. In the first term, learning looks similar to Reception, where they are taught through a continuous provision model. 

Year 1 and Year 2 pupils have daily literacy, phonics and maths lessons and will cover all the subjects in the National Curriculum. We explore these subjects through our Creative Curriculum. They link all areas of learning to one theme and help children to apply their learning using an exciting topic-based curriculum.

Subjects taught are: Literacy, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art, Design & Technology (D&T), ICT (computing), Music, Physical Education (P.E.), Religious Education (RE) and Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE) and French.

We encourage our students to ask questions and discuss their ideas and to become independent learners. Teachers set targets based on the needs of the child. Pupils’ progress is tracked and assessed each term.

In Key Stage 1, the children experience school trips that link with their class topics. These are local and in the wider community. In addition, they enjoy visitors that enhance enjoyment and achievement and make learning fun.

As in Reception, reading is the key to success. Through reading, children can access all areas of the curriculum. Children in Key Stage 1 enjoy lively phonics sessions taught in small groups matched to their reading ability.

 

Key Stage Two (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6)

In Key Stage 2, the children continue to develop their knowledge and understanding in Literacy, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology, Music, PSHE, RE, Computing, PE and French. Some PE is taught by specialist sports coaches: gymnastics, dance and cricket. French is taught by a specialist teacher throughout Key Stage 2.

These subjects are linked by a common theme every term according to the topic each year group is studying. The teaching staff are innovative and creative when planning activities for the children to develop a wide range of skills and their knowledge of the topic.

Teachers continue to set challenging targets for each child through the use of tracking and termly teacher assessments.

In Key Stage Two, the children begin to take more responsibility for their own learning and are encouraged to develop their understanding of subjects further through homework tasks. Recently, the homework tasks have involved the children thinking more creatively and more ownership has been given to the children as they begin to decide how they could present their understanding of their subjects. 

There are a range of opportunities for children to participate in Merton Schools Sports Partnership events which are organised with other schools within Merton. Children have participated in: tag rugby, football, boccia, inclusive mufti sports, gymnastics, tennis, netball. 

In Key Stage 2, the children continue to experience school trips that link with their class topics, including residential trips in Years 4 and 6. In addition, they enjoy visitors who enhance enjoyment and achievement and make learning fun.

Summer term 2025, we have enriched our curriculum with the following educational visits and experience Days:

Hampton Court Palace, AfC Wimbledon, Morden Hall Park, Fruit Kebab making, The Globe Theatre, Littlehampton Beach, Viking Day, French Day, Number Rockstar’s day, Mill Cottage Farm, Wiggly Wild Show, Emergency services visit, Y6 Ice-Cream Parlour.

We also had 2 very successful residential trips go out of school: Stubbington and PGL Liddington.