The Lower School.
Pupils aged 5–11 years attend the lower school and follow the National Curriculum with emphasis on pupils developing their emotional literacy, social and communication skills through play and sensory learning.
Our cross-curricular projects, educational trips, activities and residentials help pupils to develop skills, knowledge and understanding whilst being motivated through stimulating and interactive learning.
Pupils have access to specialist staff that provide; counselling, mentoring, learning and therapeutic support (including Speech & Language, Play, Art, Lego, Music, Drama, Equine and OT).
Home/school communication is important and regular contact is made to update parents and carers on pupils’ progress.
Primary curriculum.
The primary curriculum follows the National Curriculum with an emphasis on engaging delivery and the social development of students. A safe and stimulating learning environment has been cultivated where core subjects, PSHE, Citizenship, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Physical Education, Music, Art and Enrichment lessons are taught. Alongside the educational focus there is also an emphasis within Key Stage 2 on the necessary personal and social development for students so they have a foundation for learning as they move into the higher key stages.
English
English at our school aims to create an inclusive and positive learning environment via collaborative learning. We aim to promote independence and confidence through reading a variety of texts, literacy-based tasks and spoken language. We utilise whole-school initiatives including our phonics programme Sound Write to develop learners’ early reading, spelling, pronunciation and communication skills through systematic sound and letter recognition.
During Key Stage 2 English, the emphasis is on the development of a positive student approach towards core English competencies — Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
We ensure that our teaching of the national curriculum is both creative and engaging to enable students to make the necessary subject progress and develop a sound foundation in English, which in turn underpins their learning and time at Insights.
Science
Science lessons aim to promote enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the curriculum. We have an established history of promoting and rethinking scientific literacy which helps students to achieve their target grades. Unfamiliar vocabularies are emphasised on to further support their scientific literacy. The lessons are designed to include practical and educational trips relating to Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
Key Stage 2 Science focuses closely on the participation in practical science activity and the development of individual student scientific thinking and analyses. This is achieved through encouraging relevant scientific questioning and then discovering how to answer those questions through experiments, tests, observations, and discussions.
Maths
Mathematics lessons are aimed to develop students’ knowledge, skills and understanding of methods and concepts. The mathematics curriculum is divided into five subject areas — Number; Ratio, Proportion and Rates of Change; Algebra; Statistics & Probability; Geometry & Measures. These are taught and revised over the key stages to provide greater variety and mental stimuli for our students.
We also put emphasis on the Functional Skills element of mathematics to improve the confidence of those students who joined us with little interest in maths. We do this by incorporating mathematical games, real-life examples of how maths is used, and kinaesthetic materials.
During Key Stage 2 Mathematics, the emphasis is to ensure that our students develop confidence and mental fluency with whole numbers, counting numbers and place value.
Esports
The E-Sports programme offers students an engaging and future-focused learning experience that combines gaming, digital skills, teamwork, and personal development. Through competitive gaming, content creation, event management, and industry-based projects, students develop communication, leadership, problem-solving and technical skills relevant to the growing digital and creative industries.
The programme aims to inspire creativity, build confidence, and prepare students for further education, employment, and careers within the gaming, media, and technology sectors. Students progress through structured pathways with opportunities to gain recognised qualifications and industry-relevant accreditation through Pearson.
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of E-Sports through teamwork, online safety, communication, and creative gaming activities. The focus is on confidence-building, digital awareness and developing positive gaming habits in a fun and supportive environment.
PE
The underlying principles of our approach in PE are to help students develop an understanding of the benefits of maintaining a balanced, active and healthy lifestyle as well as the opportunities and pathways for participation in physical activity. This is achieved through a rich culture of practical sports activities, theoretical lessons, and whole-school initiatives.
During Key Stage 2 students continue to develop the fundamental movement skills and learn to apply and develop a broader range of skills. They learn how to use these skills in different ways and learn to link them to actions and sequences of movement. They learn how to communicate, collaborate and compete.
Pupils also learn to play competitive games that are modified where appropriate to apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending. Students take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and as part of a team. They compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement to reach their personal best.
Sports have included swimming, badminton, health-related fitness, football, boxing and team-building games. They have also been taught about healthy active lifestyles and why physical activity is good for their health and well-being.
Art and Design
Art and design at Insights focuses on providing students with visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to develop creativity and awareness of how ideas and meanings can be communicated through art. Within all age groups, the development of confidence, competence, relevant skills and importantly imagination in art underlie the planning and delivery of the national curriculum and GCSE classes.
As part of Key Stage 2, Art students are encouraged to develop their own artistic voice, style and imagination in lessons. Alongside being taught drawing, painting, textile, photography and new media techniques, students look at art from various time periods and different cultures.
Music and Music Technology
Music lessons at our school involve teaching through practical activities and playing instruments. Students develop their individual as well as group music skills through various performance and practice activities. There is also a strong use of music-technology facilities within the department, allowing students to become proficient using music software and learning the art of audio engineering and music production.
During Key Stage 2 Music, the main emphasis is on play and development of students’ musical awareness. This is done through drama and music games as well as accessing different instruments including percussion, recorders and keyboards.
Alternative Learning, Enrichment and Work Experience.
The Alternative Learning & Enrichment programmes enable students to experience a range of activities that enrich and enhance their learning. This holistic approach to learning enables our students to achieve and excel both academically and socially, as well as developing their individual talents and interests.
The Alternative Learning and Enrichment programme is carefully designed to challenge and stretch students by providing new opportunities that broaden their horizons, increase their range of skills, and enable them to reach their full potential.
Within the younger key stages, the focus is on the development of personal and inter-personal skills through activities. This has been achieved through fishing, orienteering, water sports, team-building sessions, Martial Arts, Nature and other outdoor pursuits.