English & Maths
At PDO School we follow the English National Curriculum for both English and Maths and we assess the levels achieved against English and international benchmarks using widely recognised PTE and PTM testing.
Student Achievement
Independent assessment using the widely recognised PTE/PTM testing shows that our children achieve significantly above international and UK averages. These are the results for all our Year 6 leavers in 2024 for English and Maths, showing a combined Standardised Age Score of 107.9, which is a remarkable score for a non-selective school and is a testament to how much our students enjoy learning at PDO School.
English
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English is taught following the English National Curriculum, which emphasises spoken language, reading, and writing.
Spoken Language is central to learning, with activities like storytelling, discussions, and role-playing used to build confidence and communication skills. These interactive methods also enhance listening and social development.
Reading begins with the Read Write Inc phonics scheme, where children learn sounds through games, songs, and visual aids, making early learning enjoyable. As they progress, they engage with diverse texts, developing fluency, comprehension, and a love for reading.
Writing lessons incorporate spelling, grammar, and punctuation through creative tasks. Children develop the skills to write clearly, coherently, and creatively for different purposes and audiences. Children write in a range of forms for example stories, letters, and reports, often linked to units they are studying in the IEYC and IPC curricula, making writing purposeful. Activities like peer reviews and showcasing learning help instill pride and motivation.
The teachers at PDO School are skilled and experienced at teaching children for whom English is not their first language. Children arriving with little spoken English soon settle at PDO School and begin to thrive.
Book Week 2024
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Maths​
Maths is taught following the English National Curriculum for Mathematics, which provides a structured framework to develop children’s understanding and skills.
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A variety of teaching methods is used to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable. Practical activities and mathematical games are integrated into lessons to help children grasp concepts in a hands-on way. These activities encourage active participation and foster an enjoyment of mathematics from an early age.
Problem-solving and investigations linked to real-life situations provide meaningful contexts for applying skills, making learning relevant and enhancing critical thinking. Children participate in individual, group, and whole-class discussions and activities to develop reasoning skills and articulate their understanding. Lessons balance open and closed tasks, ensuring that children engage in creative problem-solving while also practicing precise calculations and answers. Teachers introduce a range of calculation methods, including mental strategies, paper-and-pencil techniques, and the use of calculators, enabling children to choose the most efficient approach for different problems.
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The curriculum emphasizes fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving, and the variety of activities ensures that children of all abilities are supported and challenged. By offering opportunities for exploration, discussion, and practice, the teaching approach builds confidence and helps children see mathematics as a valuable and enjoyable subject. This well-rounded approach equips students with essential skills for academic success and everyday life.
Maths Passport​
To support the development of mental calculations, children work their way around different countries of the globe in the Maths Passport Challenge developing progressively more challenging skills.
This is an engaging but rigourous method for securing a working ease with numerical calculations which, in turn, goes on to support the development of more advanced understanding.
We have developed our own online practice tests to support independent learning for the scheme. See the full range by using the button below, or try our Panama challenge here.