Lessons taught by subject specialists
These are subjects where the technical knowledge, expertise and passions of specialist teachers engage and enthuse the children allowing them to excel.
French
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We follow a multi-stage approach to teaching French at PDO School, with each stage building upon the previous one.
In Milepost 1, the emphasis is on fun and engagement. Children learn French through songs, games, and role-playing which help them to memorise basic vocabulary and phrases, and develop their speaking and listening skills.
As they move into Milepost 2, reading and writing elements are introduced, along with the exploration of cognates and grammatical comparisons between French, English, and the children's home languages.
In Milepost 3, students take more ownership of their learning, using language detective strategies to decipher meaning of new words, confidently using bilingual dictionaries to translate words and phrases and engaging in more complex communication tasks such as describing people and how to order food in a cafe
This progressive approach, combining interactive activities, cultural exposure, and a focus on communication, aims to build a solid foundation in French language and culture, motivating and supporting children to success in language learning at high school.
Art
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Having a specialist art teacher and dedicated art lessons offers our children enriched learning experiences and enhances their artistic development.
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The children are exposed to a wide range of artistic styles and cultural art forms broadening their horizons, promoting cultural awareness and empathy. Engaging in complex projects under expert supervision enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. These experiences contribute to overall academic performance and personal development.
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Our children have the opportunity to experience more diverse and sophisticated art education, leading to higher achievement and a multitude of developmental benefits.
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Please use the link below to see our gallery of work produced by the children.
Music
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The Music curriculum is a vibrant and skills-based program that offers children a rich variety of opportunities to explore, perform, and appreciate music.
From the earliest years, students are introduced to foundational skills, such as playing from simple notation and learning to play instruments like small tuned and untuned percussion and recorders. These early experiences foster a love for music while developing coordination, rhythm, and listening skills.
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As children progress, they are introduced to more advanced instruments, including keyboards, clarinets, ukuleles, and guitars. This gradual development of skills ensures that each child grows in confidence and proficiency, gaining a deeper understanding of musical techniques and notation.
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Aligned with the philosophies of the IPC and the IEYC, the music program incorporates an exploration of music from various cultures. Students engage with World Music, learning about the rich traditions of Omani music, Western classical music, Latin American rhythms, and African drumming. This multicultural focus broadens their horizons, fostering appreciation and respect for global diversity.
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Beyond the classroom, PDO School offers a variety of music clubs to extend learning and nurture individual interests. Children can participate in specialised groups for guitars, ukuleles, singing, recorders, and flutes, with opportunities to join the school band as their skills progress. These extracurricular activities promote teamwork, discipline, and creativity, while also building performance confidence.
Computing
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At PDO School, Computing is taught through an adapted version of the NCCE curriculum (National Centre for Computing Education), integrated with the IPC learning goals for computing.
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The curriculum follows a spiral structure, meaning core themes are revisited regularly across year groups. Each revisit builds on prior knowledge, allowing pupils to deepen their understanding. For example, a student might explore programming basics in one year and expand to more complex coding tasks in the next.
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Lessons are sequenced thoughtfully, with each session building on the last. Activities are scaffolded, providing additional support such as visual aids or guided tasks to ensure all pupils can achieve the learning objectives. Exploratory tasks encourage pupils to apply their knowledge creatively, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Online Safety is a core part of the Computing curriculum at PDO School. Lessons are enriched with resources such as ProjectEVOLVE, which aligns with the UK Council for Internet Safety’s “Education for a Connected World” framework. This ensures students develop an age-appropriate understanding of safe and responsible online behavior.
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Through this engaging, scaffolded, and comprehensive approach, children at PDO School gain valuable skills and confidence in Computing while learning to navigate the digital world safely.