Our Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
At GES we have based our curriculum around the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Our curriculum is designed to support children's holistic development across seven key areas: communication and language, physical development, personal, social, and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design.
Our EYFS curriculum embraces a child-centered approach, valuing the interests, ideas and curiosity of each child. We provide a rich and stimulating learning environment where children can freely explore, experiment, and engage in hands-on experiences.
Arabic and Islamic
​At GES, we recognise the importance of promoting cultural awareness, language proficiency, and a deep understanding of Islamic values and traditions. Our Arabic and Islamic Studies programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in these vital areas.
Arabic Studies
​Our Arabic Studies program builds students' proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in Arabic. With a focus on both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and conversational Arabic, students develop practical language skills. Engaging lessons and dedicated teachers make learning Arabic enjoyable and rewarding for all proficiency levels.
Islamic Studies
Our Islamic Studies curriculum fosters spiritual growth, ethical values, and a deep understanding of Islam. Students explore key aspects such as beliefs, practices, and the life of Prophet Muhammad. Our dedicated teachers create an inclusive environment that encourages discussion, respect, and diversity.
Specialist Subjects
Physical Education
PE lessons in the EYFS department focus on developing fundamental movement skills like running, jumping and throwing. Children engage in fun and age-appropriate activities that promote coordination, spatial awareness, teamwork and fitness. They learn to handle sports equipment and participate in activities that foster a love for physical activity and play. PE lessons in the EYFS prioritise enjoyable and inclusive experiences that lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of exercise and movement.
Music
Our Music lessons introduce children to various aspects of music. They listen to different styles, sing songs and explore basic rhythms and beats. They have opportunities to play simple instruments, express themselves creatively and engage in movement and dance activities.
These lessons foster a love for music, develop listening skills, and encourage self-expression.
Inclusion
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, we provide an inclusive curriculum that supports all children, including those with SEND, to thrive. We adapt learning through personalised planning, flexible teaching and targeted support, using strategies such as visual aids, multi-sensory activities and small group or individual interventions to meet diverse needs.
Our learning environments are carefully organised to promote independence, wellbeing and engagement. We prioritise early identification of needs and work closely with parents and external professionals to ensure timely and effective support, enabling all children to feel valued, confident and successful.
Assessment
Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage is ongoing and forms an integral part of our teaching and learning.
We use ClassDojo Portfolios across both year groups to capture children’s learning journeys through observations, photos and videos. This allows staff to make informed judgements about progress, tailor next steps in learning and share children’s achievements with parents in a meaningful way. Alongside this, we carry out regular writing and mark-making assessments to track the development of early writing skills
In Reception, children complete the Camrbridge BASE assessment at the start of the year and again at the end of the year, enabling us to measure progress, identify strengths and ensure targeted support where needed.
Phonics / Reading
We follow the ELS Phonics Scheme, a systematic and structured approach to teaching early reading and phonics. ELS is fully aligned with the EYFS Statutory Framework and the expectations of the National Curriculum, ensuring children develop strong foundations in phonics through clearly sequenced, high-quality daily lessons.
Children are taught to recognise sounds, blend to read and segment to spell through engaging, multi-sensory activities that promote confidence and early reading success.
To support this, children are sent home with decodable reading books that are closely matched to the phonics they are learning in school, enabling them to practise and apply their skills independently. In addition, children take home reading books tailored to their individual reading abilities, beginning from KG, to promote enjoyment of reading and foster a love of books alongside phonics development.
E-Learning
We utilize selected educational websites to enhance learning both in and out of the classroom. These websites provide valuable resources and interactive activities for our students to reinforce and expand upon their knowledge.
-
Class Dojo https://www.classdojo.com/
-
Oxford Owl https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/
-
MyMaths https://www.mymaths.co.uk/
-
White Rose Maths https://whiterosemaths.com/
-
Busy Things https://www.busythings.co.uk/