Individual      Inclusive       Independent 

At Strathmore we are dedicated to preparing and challenging every learner to become an active contributor to their community by championing independence and communication in a learning environment that is accessible to all.

Our aspiration through the strand of My beliefs, culture and community is for learners to develop the knowledge and skills to understand they are part of a family or small community which is important to them as individuals. We want learners to develop their awareness that people have different ways of life and to be sensitive towards other beliefs and cultures, understanding differences between them. This promotes inclusivity and independence throughout the school day and outside in the community.

Strathmore learners have opportunities to operate a range of technology to support their independence. Through exploring the world around them, they develop awareness of their immediate and external environment and express their individuality by noticing, communicating, commenting on changes in their environment.

Skills, Knowledge and Concepts 

At Strathmore we believe that all learners experience the world around them by making powerful links with the environment in which they live in a meaningful way.

The World Around Me Framework builds on the learning taught in areas including history, geography, science, design and technology. This ensures that there is breadth of coverage.  

The World Around Me framework offers skills and knowledge that will support all learners’ in: 

• developing an understanding that they are part of a family or small community; 
• developing an understanding of different cultures and religions including their own 
• exploring and learning about their environment through their senses, by using tools and objects  
• showing care and awareness for their immediate and external environments 
• developing the understanding that technology has a purpose and how to use it functionally to support their independence, communication and as a source of information.

Coverage and Breadth 

Learning about people and communities at Strathmore is based on families, cultures, religion, and significant events.  All learners have an opportunity to experience different activities throughout the year, e.g. festivals, cultural celebrations and community visits, e.g. Richmond Park. 

The Framework banding ensures all ability learners experience and develop their skills in exploring the immediate environment, culture, community and technology around them and the learning is differentiated according to students’ needs and abilities. 

• Emergent learners will explore and respond to their environment through: 
  • senses, e.g. touching, hitting; feeling; tasting 
  • tools and objects, e.g. ball for rolling; different textures, e.g. wet; dry, soft 
  • technology, e.g. switches; light toys; simple electrical equipment.  community visits, e.g. local shop, crossing the road etc. 
• Learners who progress beyond band 6 will respond to, make comments on and question their environment through: 
  • understanding that they are part of a family or small community and take part in significant events  
  • sensory play and exploration e.g. textures, solid/liquid states, tastes, smells 
  • tools and utensils used in the kitchen, garden and communal areas 
  •  a range of technology including switches, simple electrical equipment and computer software
  • community visits to local shops, locations with flora and fauna and cultural sites

All learners will be provided with a range of different experiences through learning zones reflecting the learner’s age and progression of independence. 

The Framework is divided into bands which range from band 1 (emergent learners) upwards to band 10 (high ability learners.) 

The school’s termly themes provide a broad and flexible vehicle for learning that allows teachers to plan engaging and practical activities, whilst assessing students’ progress effectively by using The World Around Me framework.

My beliefs, culture and community strand allows the school to explore, learn about and celebrate the cultural diversity of its’ students and their families. This will be achieved through representation in learning zones as well as through assemblies promoting diversity, e.g. International Mother Language Day and lunchtime clubs, e.g. language club; role-play club; art club. 

It is supported by The Rights Respecting Schools Award which puts children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK. 

How does the teaching and learning in this area of development reflect Strathmore’s vision and ethos? 

The World Around Me Framework offers equal opportunities because we believe that all races, religions, cultures and genders must be valued and given equal status in the curriculum. 

The World Around Me Curriculum at Strathmore is taught with consideration of individual strengths, needs and interests of each learner within all key stages. It provides the learners with appropriate tools that will support and challenge them.  

The World Around Me framework offers inclusive learning and teaching based on friendships with other peers from Strathmore, activities with co-located schools and community visits.  

Our intention is to help all children to become independent, self-confident, inquisitive, and enthusiastic learners through active exploration of their environment. The goal of The World Around Me Curriculum at Strathmore is to support and help all learners to become independent and successful in school and in life.