The Drive

Key Stage 1

Year 1 and Year 2 form Key Stage 1 in The Drive School.

Within a happy and relaxed atmosphere, children become used to a more formal approach to education with the emphasis on the basic skills of Literacy and Numeracy.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Key Stage 1 is based on the National Curriculum. Lessons become subject based in:

English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Art, Design and Technology, I.C.T., Religious Education, Citizenship, Physical Education and Music. French is also taught in Year 2.

Particular emphasis is placed on the core subjects of English and Mathematics, using elements from the Primary Framework for Literacy and Mathematics. Children are heard to read individually on a regular basis. In The Drive's small classes, learning is organised to allow pupils to progress as rapidly as their ability allows.

The children take part in a number of educational visits throughout the two years as an integral part of their curriculum. Visits to the local village, museums and the theatre add to the broad and balanced curriculum provided. Recent visits include Blists Hill Victorian Village, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Ironbridge Power Station.

Parents and visitors are also invited to enrich the curriculum by bringing in a wealth of knowledge and skills to enhance the learning environment. For example we have had visits from, Thinktank - Birmingham's Science Museum Outreach team, History Off The Page - specialists in Primary History, Paul Gooderham - a local potter and artist, Rebecca Lawrence - composer, Val Biro - author and illustrator.

Theatre Groups visit the school on a regular basis. For example, Kinetic Theatre Company Ltd is a professional Theatre-in-Education Company touring musical plays geared to the National Curriculum for Science to Primary schools and theatres throughout the UK. Their purpose is to supplement science teaching in a fun, dramatic yet educational way.

The children also receive regular community visits from the local fire service and police education service.

Swimming

In Year 1 and Year 2 children have weekly swimming lessons in the school's indoor heated pool and work towards the Swimming Teachers’ Association distance, water skills and water safety badges.

The Drive School Swimming Gala is a popular annual event amongst the children.

Music

All children have a weekly class singing and percussion lesson with a music specialist. In Year 2 all children learn to play the recorder and have taster lessons on the violin.

Individual piano, violin and voice lessons are also available.

The Drive School has a Year 1 and a Year 2 choir who perform regularly at the school concerts and at the annual carol service.

Extra-Curricular

The school day is also supplemented with a variety of extra curricular activities.

For Reception to Year 2, Ballet, Tap and lessons are available. Exams are taken yearly with the Midland Academy of Stage Dancing Examination board.
Yoga is available from Kindergarten to Year 2 with The Children's Yoga Company.
Multi-Skill sessions are run by Soccer 2000 for Keystage One pupils
Soccatots sessions are available for Nursery and Kindergarten aged pupils