Learning
English
The school follows the National Literacy Strategy (N.L.S) and Literacy Hour is taught each day in all classes from Year 1 onwards. Children in Foundation Stage classes initially work towards the ‘early learning goals’ of the Foundation Stage curriculum. They begin to explore elements of the N.L.S, gradually building up to involvement in the full hour in preparation for Key Stage 1.
Reading
Reading is taught carefully and systematically, and the children are able to choose from a wide variety of books which will help them to develop the skills and enjoyment needed to read with fluency and understanding. It is our policy that children are strongly urged to take their reading books home. Your child, especially in the early stages, will often bring home a book in which there are only a few words. The object of this is for the parent and child to share the book by talking about the illustrations - this time is important for both adult and child, so try and ensure that it is done in a place that is as quiet as possible, with few, or no distractions. Help and guidance on this is given to new parents. It is worth noting that reading is not just from books, but also from a wide variety of other sources.With an older or fluent reader, this sharing of books is still very important. Older children still enjoy being read to and having the opportunity to read to a parent. Every effort should be made for the children to join the town’s library and to be encouraged to change their books regularly. The use of the reference section of both the town and school libraries should be encouraged, linked in with the topic currently being studied in class, or for research into a subject in which the child is particularly interested.
The school library is well stocked with a wide range of books for children of all ages, and is available for individual, group or class study. Children are taught to respect and value the books they use. They learn that books are both for information and enjoyment.
Writing
We want children to be able to express themselves in a variety of ways and styles. Handwriting is an important part of the curriculum and is practised regularly by all children. We use the Nelson Scheme. It is our aim that every child should leave the school with a joined, individual style of handwriting.Children write on a wide range of topics (both imaginative and factual) either by hand, by using a word processor, or in the early stages by dictation to an adult. They are encouraged to discuss their ideas and to communicate clearly with others in both speech and writing.
A good deal of their writing develops from other curricular areas. Spelling is taught by using the Look, Cover, Write, Check method.
Speaking and Listening
Listening and talking are important parts of language development and this is provided by stories read by the teacher or by the pupils, class and group discussions, mime which enables them to express themselves, drama, taking part in school assemblies and group presentations.Maths
The school follows the National Numeracy Strategy (N.N.S) and a numeracy lesson is taught every day according to the strategy.Children in Foundation Stage will initially be working through the ‘early learning years’ for maths and towards elements of the numeracy stakes. They are involved in the full lesson strategy by the end of Foundation. A large part of mathematical work in Key Stage 1 is of a practical nature. Children, throughout the school, are introduced to mathematical concepts and experiences through a wide range of teacher produced and published materials.
The curriculum has a strong emphasis on the development of the child’s understanding of numbers, the ‘four rules’ and place value. Children apply their knowledge to reassessment, shape and graphic presentation. Mental maths plays an important part in the daily lesson. Number bonds and tables are taught at the appropriate start of each child’s development.
Children in Years 1-3 usually work in ability groups formed within their own classroom. In Years 4-6 an additional teaching group is formed for each year group, to enable closely focused teaching programmes. In recent times, the school has worked closely with the secondary school to provide additional support and challenge to more able mathematicians.
Science
The teaching of Science provides an opportunity for the children to develop an interest in and enthusiasm for the living world; to explore the local environment using skills and techniques appropriate to their abilities. Science helps children to make sense of the world.Primary school science, especially in the earlier years, is concerned with the development of skills, processes and attitudes. Children will be actively involved in a wide range of practical activities, which take into account their abilities and experiences. Scientific activities help children to develop a child’s learning by encouraging their natural curiosity.
Science interacts strongly with other curriculum areas. It gives support to them and receives support from them. In the National Curriculum, scientific enquiry and subject knowledge and understanding are interwoven.
Information Communication Technology (I.C.T)
ICT prepares pupils to participate in a rapidly developing and changing world. Pupils use ICT tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly, creatively and with discrimination. They learn how to employ ICT to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures.The School has an ICT Suite housing computers with internet access. In addition, each classroom has at least one computer, laptop and interactive whiteboard.
Information and Communications Technology is concerned with the handling of electronic information (which can consist of text, numbers, images and sounds) and involves creating, collecting, holding, processing, presenting and communicating this information in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes.
ICT is about information that can be manipulated with computers, video recorders and photocopiers, sounds through tape recorders and other signals generated and received by satellite technology.
ICT capability refers to a child’s ability to draw on their knowledge and understanding of ICT to apply it in a variety of contexts.
Classes are timetabled for sessions each week to learn new skills. At other times children work as groups or individuals to carry out research or use software specific to their learning needs.
Design and Technology
In this subject children learn to plan, test and evaluate ideas. They investigate a need or respond to an opportunity to make or modify something. The children learn to handle a range of materials and tools appropriate to their age and development. At all times, safety codes are strictly adhered to.Food technology is an important aspect of the subject and children are taught the rules of hygiene as part of this subject.
Art
Children’s skills and knowledge are enhanced and developed as they move through the school. Our objective is to develop each child’s, creative, observational, interpretive and technical skills. Children are taught the elements of art, how to use a wide range of media and are given the opportunity to study the work of different artists and to learn how their styles and techniques differ.They are introduced to work from other times and other cultures.
Physical Education
The P.E. curriculum is planned to give children experiences in aspects of gym, dance, games, athletics and swimming. Children are taught the skills needed in all these activities as well as learning to review and evaluate their work. They work individually, in pairs and, as they get older, in team activities.Children in Year 6 participate in weekly swimming lessons.
The school often participates in local area and district competitions in a range of sports. Many of the competitions are organised through the Corby Sports Partnership. In recent times this has included inter-school competition in: cross-country running, football, netball, athletics and indoor Olympics. Over the years the school has produced country champions in both individual and team events.
Music
All children participate in activities, which will include performing, creating and listening to music. The activities will take place in small groups, class groups and as part of whole school assemblies and other performances. We believe that our children should be helped to develop the ability to listen attentively to a wide range of musical styles, to develop an understanding of musical elements and to make informed evaluations of performances and compositions.Instrumental tuition [violin] is available for KS2 children and is provided by County Music Service staff.
Geography
Geography provokes and answers questions about the natural and human worlds, using different scales of enquiry to view them from different perspectives. It develops knowledge of places and environments throughout the world, an understanding of maps, and a range of investigative and problem-solving skills both inside and outside the classroom. As such, it prepares pupils for adult life and employment.Geography is a focus within the curriculum for understanding and resolving issues about the environment and sustainable development. It is also an important link between the natural and social sciences.
As pupils study geography, they encounter different societies and cultures. This helps them realise how nations rely on each other. It can inspire them to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.
History
Pupils recognise the interaction between past and present and begin to realise that the past can be divided into different periods of time. They begin the show knowledge and understanding of some of the main events, people and changes that have shaped their immediate world and the world beyond.Pupils begin to identify some of the ways in which the past is represented and that some events, people and changes have been interpreted in different ways.
They use a wide variety of sources and begin to select and combine information from different sources.
From talking about their knowledge, pupils etc. begin to suggest ways of structuring their work and begin to learn to select and organise information to produce their own work, making appropriate use of data and terms.
P.S.H.E
PSHE (Personal, social and health education) and citizenship help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens.Topics covered in KS 1 classes: myself, my family/friends and where I live. KS 2 lessons deal with self-awareness, careers, citizenship, health education, environmental education and economic and industrial understanding.
Special Education Needs
In line with the 1981 Education Act and SEN Code of Practice 2001, the school will endeavour to ensure that provision for a child with special educational needs [including gifted and more able] should match the nature of their needs, and that there is regular recording of a child’s special educational needs, the action taken and the reviews. Children with special needs are identified in school and strategies are developed to cater for any problems. With parent’s agreement, children with severe difficulties are referred to an educational psychologist and other outside agencies. We assess and monitor closely and support the progress.Homework
Our school operates a Homework Policy and the purpose of this is:To develop an effective partnership between home and school.
To consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
To extend school learning.
To encourage pupils as they get older to develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study on their own.
Parent and guardians are encouraged to look at their child’s homework diary daily and sign when the task has been completed.
