History is taught through topic work. All children are introduced to different types of historical sources, for example stories, research and local historical environment. Children are helped to understand the present in the light of the past and so make sense of the world in which they live.

Children study geography as part of a topic and use the locality as well as areas further a field to gain first-hand experience to increase their knowledge, skills and awareness and so build up data to make informed comparisons. Practical work forms an important part of this learning, and frequent trips within the neighbourhood are made by all classes: Year 5 children, for example have the opportunity to develop their orienteering skills and to study a different locality. 

Art is given particular emphasis at St. Luke’s; we consider this school to be a centre of excellence. Creativity and independence are encouraged at all ages. Using a wide variety of materials, children explore different media, including painting, modelling, drawing, sculpture and observational art work. Artists in residence work with the children to develop a greater depth of knowledge. At the end of each Key Stage, children take part in a major end of school production where they can demonstrate their skills in set and costume design.

Design and technology is influential in and draws upon all areas of the curriculum. It supports children in a wide range of subjects, which give context for children’s working, planning and designing. Children are encouraged to think, discuss, work as a team, show ideas graphically and textually and work with a variety of materials. They also learn to use tools safely and effectively. 

Music provision is a real strength at St. Luke’s and is taught throughout the school from Reception to Year 6 by our specialist music teacher. There is a dedicated music room which houses all our classroom music resources and provides a creative space for children to develop their musical skills.

Musical activities within the school are based upon participation and enjoyment. Learning involves singing, composing, playing and performing, listening, commenting and responding to music across a variety of musical genre, place, culture and occasion. It develops pupils’ creativity, interest and enjoyment of music; builds musical skills, self-discipline, knowledge and understanding.

Further enrichment is important, with opportunities to experience music outside of the classroom and use musical skills within different contexts. A successful Junior Choir is one such example of offered enrichment, with children gaining a sense of achievement, at all levels of attainment, where practice, hard work, success and the love of music are enjoyed and acknowledged by peers, staff, parents and the wider school community.

Over the course of a year, a class has the opportunity to learn an instrument through the Kingston Music Service (KMS) Wider Opportunities Programme. In recent years, children within Year 4 have learnt to play the Djembe drums, clarinet or ukulele.

Kingston Music Service (KMS) is the lead organisation for the Kingston Music Education Hub which is funded by Arts Council England. The service provides instrumental and vocal music lessons to young people in Kingston’s schools and music centres. We are very lucky at St Luke's to be one of the schools KMS tutors teach at.

If you would like your child to learn an instrument, please contact KMS directly either by email at musicservice@kingston.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 8547 5050.

You can find out more about KMS and the services they provide on their website: https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200176/kingston_music_service

Physical education is not only thoroughly enjoyed by the children but is a very necessary part of the curriculum. Through physical education, children become aware of their own body and learn to control their movements. PE helps to create a healthy, balanced way of living and can relieve stress and aid relaxation. Apparatus and movement lessons are part of the activities for every class. The children also participate in a variety of sporting fixtures throughout the Borough.

The school has a large gymnasium and two courts for hockey, football, volleyball, netball, short cricket and rounders. All children play all these games and all children take part in at least two hours of physical activities a week.

All children are encouraged to take part in one of the many sporting activities available before, during or after school. These include football, netball, athletics, table tennis, skipping, judo, rounders, tennis, gymnastics, dance and cricket.

Swimming lessons are arranged for the children in Year 2 and 3. Each child is expected to participate, and parents are invited to make a modest contribution to the cost of hiring the pool and the instructors. During Year 5 all children have the opportunity to take the cycling proficiency test to prepare them for cycling to their secondary school.