Curriculum

The school aims to provide a curriculum which is broad, balanced and relevant to the children's needs, thus enabling children to achieve their full personal and academic potential.

As in all state schools by law we have to teach RE and the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum. There are four core subjects:

English
Maths
Science
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The other subjects are known as the foundation subjects:

History
Geography
Art
Music
Physical Education (PE)
Design Technology (DT)
Personal, Social, Health, Emotional and Citizenship (PSHE)

Some learning is cross curricular, making learning more relevant to children's lives and is often organised through topics or units of work. The teachers plan together in year groups on a weekly basis ensuring that children have similar experiences.

The National Curriculum starts in year 1. Children in the Reception classes follow the Foundations Stage Curriculum which is common to all schools nationally.

The school curriculum is designed to promote harmony between those of different race, culture and creed and to provide equal opportunity for all regardless of difference in sex, race, religion or social or economic class.

English teaches children to communicate through speaking and listening, writing (including spelling and handwriting) and helps them to gain confidence and enjoyment from reading.

Thus they learn to

- express themselves clearly and listen carefully.
- begin to become independent writers able to use different styles in differing situations..
- read for pleasure and to find information

Mathematics teaches children about numbers, shape and space, measurement, recognising patterns and problem solving.

Science teaches children to explore the man-made and natural world around them through observation, questioning and investigation.

ICT teaches children about new ways of handling information and basic skills in using the associated technology. They learn about, word processing, databases, drawing programs, control technology and adventure programs and how to load, save, retrieve and print their work.

History teaches children about the past and ways in which our society has changed over time. They learn about chronology and ways in which we can find out about the past.

Geography teaches children about the immediate environment around the school and the environment of another region. Children have the opportunity to visit another locality and use maps, globes and photographs to find out about different places.
Music teaches children to sing, perform, compose and listen to different types of music. They have the opportunity to use a variety of tuned and untuned percussion instruments.

Art teaches children to express ideas and feelings and develop skills through the use of different media – paint, pastels, charcoal, crayons, pens, clay etc.

Drama teaches children to express ideas and feelings through the use of gesture and speech in a variety of situations.

Design Technology teaches children to develop the ideas and skills which help them find practical solutions to problems. They design and make objects using a wide range of materials and think of ways in which their designs can be improved.. They learn how things work

RE teaches children about aspects of Christianity and other major world faiths and follows the County's Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. We have a daily act of worship each day which is of a broadly Christian nature. Parents do have the right to withdraw their child from RE lessons and assemblies.

PSHE teaches children about relationships, caring for oneself and others, safety at home, school and play and ways in which we can all be good citizens.

PE teaches children to be positive about physical and recreational activities in order to develop a healthy lifestyle. They learn how to develop control and co-ordination and develop skills which will enable them to participate in more formal games as they grow older.

Sex and Drugs Education In infant schools there is no formal programme for sex or drug education. These areas are included under PSHE as aspects of 'caring for themselves'. We aim to increase the understanding of differences between people, of hygiene and ways of keeping fit and healthy. Each year we have a visit form the Life Education Bus which teaches children about leading a healthy lifestyle.

Policies and Schemes of work are available to view at the school.

Special Educational Needs

If your child is identified as having Special Educational Needs the school will make every effort to work with you to help your child and, where necessary, will involve other agencies to provide support. The school has a Special Educational Needs Policy and this can be viewed in school.

Disability and Discrimination Act

The school has an accessibility plan and over the past three years has implemented many of the identified measures required. The school inclusion policy can be viewed in school.