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We aim to provide a creative, broad and balanced curriculum, which caters for the educational and social needs of all our pupils. We cover the full range of subjects from the National Curriculum and provide appropriately purposeful and cohesive learning for ALL our pupils.

 

We have a whole school thematic approach, which we have developed over the last few years. It allows whole school learning based on progressive learning skills through a common theme. We have launch days with special visitors, truffle days, special events during the term and trips out for all classes, culminating in a celebration event at the end of each term.

 

Though the learning is creative and cross curricular the subject areas are planned for and delivered to ensure all children learn the appropriate skills using first hand practical experiences, either in school of through visits.

 

 In science at Key Stage 1 the activities are very practical and introduce the notion of ‘fair testing’. In Key Stage 2 the lessons emphasise both practical investigations and scientific knowledge.

We use our school pond and environmental area when appropriate.

 

Design Technology is concerned with planning, making and evaluating. It covers sewing, needlework, cooking, woodwork, model making, poster designing, and much more! 

 

We aim to teach the skills of using these various types of equipment to enhance the teaching and learning of other subjects. The equipment includes: Cameras, Asus mini notebooks; Laptops as well as Visualisers, PCs and tape recorders. All pupils aim to gain skills in: email, internet use, multi-media presentations, word processing, spreadsheets and graphics.

The humanities are taught through topics, the emphasis for younger children is on the difference between past and present, and the local environment. For the older pupils we ensure that the full range of prescribed knowledge and skills are taught to each child.

We teach the children to use a variety of painting techniques as well as different media (paint, pastel, charcoal, clay, and fabric). We try to give each child the skills with which they can express their own creative abilities.

In PE we teach children to enjoy physical activity in its many forms. Through dance, gymnastics, a variety of team games and athletics, we aim to develop the pupils’ bodies as well as their minds. We also have a number of specialist coaches through our links with Stanground College and the local community, they include: Football, Ice Skating, Dance, Multi-skills and Outdoor Adventurous Activities.

We believe that children develop positive attitudes towards reading by being presented with a variety of reading material and structured teaching. At Key Stage 1 we teach reading through a combination of phonics (sounds) and the development of a sight vocabulary. From the youngest age pupils are encouraged to take their reading books home and share them with their parents. Handwriting is an important skill and the children progress from printing to joined-up handwriting and from pencil to pen. We encourage children to write for a variety of purposes and audiences. 

Speaking and listening are the most common uses of language and we therefore plan a lot of work around discussions, presentations and active listening.

 

A key part of our teaching involves the development of phonic skills. We use the letters and sounds scheme, working through “phases”. Children attend daily sessions at the appropriate levels for 20 minutes. As the children progress they also focus on spellings, patterns & rules. The children develop their range of vocabulary and are encouraged and supported to use these skills in their independent writing.

 

Numeracy is a vital everyday skill and we aim to develop our pupils' confidence in handling numbers and interpreting data. We teach mental agility as well as the use of calculators. We also believe that all children should learn their multiplication facts. In the classrooms the children are ability grouped for maths activities. 

 

The development of mental skills is essential and each daily maths session includes a mental session, with pace and fun being key ingredients. The focus is on number bonds and times tables initially to form the foundations for developing and applying their skills across all areas of maths especially in using & applying and problem solving.

All of our children have a number of opportunities to sing, and our school has traditionally had a high reputation for the quality of our singers. We are fortunate to have a specialist music teacher in school which ensures the children receive experience of a range of music skills and use both percussion and tuition instruments.

 

Our Behaviour system of Good to be Green gives clear rewards and sanctions across the school. We also reward positive behaviour through our celebration assembly with child of the week certificates and House points which are given by all staff in recognition of both effort and achievement.

We believe that it is vitally important that the children learn about themselves and about other people. We therefore teach about feelings, attitudes and social relationships throughout the school. We are proud to be a Health Promoting School.        

During Year 6 the children receive Sex Education with the School Nurse being involved. The lessons are based around videos which parents are invited to watch prior to the lessons.  

 

Our RE teaching is based upon the County Agreed Syllabus. It teaches about the Christian faith whilst also providing factual information about the other main religions of the world.

The pupils’ work is continually assessed using teacher assessments. Teachers use a range of evidence with optional SATs in KS2 as well as APP (Assessing Pupil Progress). At the end of the foundation stage profile scores are submitted along with end of KS1 standards following national guidelines. The Year 6 pupils take the end of KS2 SATs during May.