Departments & Subjects

The Foundation Stage

The GEMS JPS Early Years Foundation Stage consists of Foundation Stage One (FS 1) and Foundation Stage Two (FS 2). Dedicated Teachers and Teaching Assistants set the standards for learning, development and care of our children from a young age. Individual needs of children are addressed and closely monitored. Children are guided with care through their stages of development and the expectations of the six areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development

Music and Physical Education further enhance the children’s curriculum experiences and Arabic and French are introduced. Play is a key way in which our young children learn. At JPS, play is well planned, both indoors and out and recognised as a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge.
 
School and parents work closely together to help our children become sociable, well behaved people. We firmly believe that children need to be happy if they are to learn.

Key Stage 1

The curriculum for Years One (Y1) and Two (Y2) is lively, engaging and designed to meet the needs of all our pupils. The programme corresponds very closely to Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum for England and the key skills for the Excellent and Enjoyable Curriculum. We aim to develop creative, confident and inquisitive learners, who are ready to progress into Key Stage 2. Full time teaching assistants in Year 1 and 2 help to ensure all children have excellent opportunities to access each activity and achieve their full potential

Subject specialists teach physical education, music and swimming in close collaboration with class teachers. Dedicated sessions in the Library and ICT suites also enhance the curriculum delivery. At break times Year One and Two has access to its own secure dedicated playground featuring play apparatus, large areas of shaded playgrounds and grass areas with trees providing natural shade.

The children visit many places of interest linked to the projects they are studying each term. Hands on, experiential learning is a core component of the daily life for students in the Key Stage One department.

Key Stage 2

Specialised teaching and the use of special resources increases as the children move through the Preparatory Department. Children are still predominantly form based, but may also be organised according to the children’s abilities for some subjects, ensuring that individual needs are addressed.

The four year programme of study aims to produce confident and competent learners who are good communicators. At the same time, students are encouraged to develop a compassionate attitude to others, along with self-discipline and independence. Sports, music and performance endeavours also at a higher level and the success of these events are celebrated in the school.

ICT in GEMS JPS features a wireless network, Smartboards and multimedia projectors in every classroom from FS 2 to Year 6.

At GEMS JPS all children will receive weekly Arabic and French lessons from FS 2. These are taught by specialist teachers and give children a valuable learning opportunity to develop their language skills.