All schools must fulfil the demands of the National Curriculum. At Geddington Church of England Primary School children are given many opportunities to learn a wide range of skills, concepts and knowledge. Curriculum policies and schemes of work have been written and are constantly reviewed and re-appraised. Individual teachers take responsibility for the various areas of the curriculum. School policies and schemes of work are available to interested parents on request.
CURRICULUM AIMS
We aim to encourage each child individually to develop his or her understanding, skills and interests through a broad curriculum and flexible teaching methods which include group, individual and whole class activities. Themes are carefully planned to produce a balanced development of the different aspects of the work. Each child’s progress is carefully assessed, monitored and recorded and individual and group achievements are recognised.
Children in the reception year follow The Foundation Stage Curriculum (QCA 2000) and will work towards The Early Learning Goals, which establish expectations for most children to achieve by the end of the Foundation Stage (i.e. by the end of the reception year).
Children have the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of first hand experiences leading to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and concepts. Concentration and perseverance are encouraged as the children are introduced to appropriate aspects of the Foundation Stage Curriculum, which seek to foster a real interest in learning and builds on what they already know.
Much of the Early Years Curriculum is delivered through structured play, both indoors and outdoors, where learning objectives have been clearly defined.
Well planned play is a key way for young children to learn with enjoyment and challenge. Opportunities are given for the children to engage in activities planned by adults and those that they plan or initiate themselves, with appropriate adult intervention to help them make progress in their learning. A balance is sought between direct teaching and child-initiated activities.
The Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into six areas of learning: -
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children are encouraged to develop a positive self-image, respect for others and a positive disposition to learn.
Communication, Language and Literacy
Children develop competence in speaking and listening, and in becoming readers and writers.
Mathematical Development
Children acquire mathematical concepts and develop numeracy skills.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Children are developing the knowledge, skills and understanding to help them make sense of the world.
Physical Development
Children develop and improve skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement.
Creative Development
Children develop and expand skills in art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.
REPORTS
In July reports are issued for discussion at the final parent teacher consultation. These contain information about the pupil’s progress focusing in particular on achievements in the National Curriculum; targets are set for the next term. Relevant details about other subjects and activities during the year are also covered.
The core subjects of the National Curriculum are English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education and Information and Communication Technology.
ENGLISH
Speaking and Listening
Through a range of experiences children are helped to become good listeners and confident speakers. They are given the opportunity to express themselves and interpret experience through movement, role play and the discipline of more formal productions.
Reading
By the use of carefully structured reading and phonic programmes, children are helped to enjoy reading and to develop their ability to read accurately, to respond to all types of writing and to gain information from print.
Writing
Children are given skills to construct and convey meaning with clarity, expressing ideas, information and impressions neatly in a variety of written forms for various purposes. They are taught to develop a neat handwriting style and to use correct spelling and punctuation. Some writing will be word processed. The School uses the Revised Primary Strategy.
MATHEMATICS
Children are helped to work positively in mathematics developing the ability to think clearly and logically, to identify mathematical relationships and to manipulate number, space, shape and dimensions. Each child is helped to acquire the ability to apply mathematical skills in practical situations by the learning of multiplication tables and the application of mental arithmetic, following the Revised Primary Strategy.
SCIENCE
Children are encouraged to adopt a scientific approach to learning and to acquire the skills of observation, recording, forming hypotheses, testing, investigating and making conclusions in their explorations of the natural and man-made environment.
The foundation subjects of the National Curriculum are Design Technology, Geography, History, Art, Music, Physical Education, Personal Social Health Education and Citizenship and at KS2 a modern Foreign Language. The rich local environment is used as a resource for classroom studies. We are fortunate to be close to Newton Field Centre, Boughton House and its Estates, Rockingham Forest and the River Ise. Visits to many places of interest are an integral part of the school’s curriculum. Live theatre, artists in residence, visiting experts and members of the community all help to enrich the children’s learning experiences.
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Children are provided with the opportunities to develop their awareness of the different ways in which a problem may be solved. Situations are created which encourage research, selection, design, making and evaluating.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
All classes use RM computers in the computer suite and in the classroom. Software is available to support and develop concepts and skills associated with many curriculum areas. Children are taught to work confidently with a variety of software and applications involving each term’s unit of work. Interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, remote controlled hardware and camcorders are used to enrich teaching and learning in most subjects.
GEOGRAPHY
Children are taught to use geographical skills to investigate places including the local environment – and themes involving physical and human geography.
HISTORY
Children are given opportunities to develop an awareness of the past using stories, artefacts and evidence progressing from familiar situations to those in distant time and place. Children study History from a variety of perspectives to help them understand the present in the context of the past.
ART AND DESIGN
Children are given the skills and opportunities to express themselves in a variety of media and forms. Children work is valued and displayed attractively.
MUSIC
Children are provided with opportunities to participate in music making activities which give them experience of performing, composing and listening. A peripatetic violin teacher visits the school each week and Key Stage 2 pupils have the opportunity to learn to play.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Morning and afternoon sessions always begin with brain gym and Active 8. All children participate in more than two hours physical education each week. Children are given a balance of experience across various aspects of the physical curriculum – gymnastics, dance, athletics, games and swimming. They are given the skills to take full advantage of this both as individuals and as members of a group. Opportunities for team competitions are available on a friendly basis at KS2.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The School follows the county’s agreed syllabus for Religious Education. Section 25 of the 1944 Education Act applies. Close relationships are enjoyed between school, the parish church and the chapel and special school services are enjoyed at Harvest Festival and Christmas.
Worship Policy: Planned Christian worship is held in school everyday following a thematic programme. Worship is led by teachers, children or our Vicar.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH, EDUCATION AND CITIZENSHIP
Children are helped to gain the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to live confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens.
Children are given an awareness of the need to care for their own bodies through diet, exercise and healthy personal habits. Children are taught to apply the knowledge and skills of safety education in the home, at play on the road and in school.
Pupils are helped to cope with the physical and emotional challenges of growing up. The school offers a programme of sex education appropriate to the children’s age and experience. It is presented with a moral, family orientated and Christian framework alongside other areas of study within a Unit of Work entitled ‘Growing Up’. This unit of work is for Year 6 children.
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
All children in KS2 are given the opportunity to study a foreign language and develop their interest in the culture of other nations.
Within the curriculum we acknowledge the importance of equal opportunities for all children regardless of their gender, race, religion and social and economic background
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Children with special needs are provided with experiences and learning activities that are well matched to their capabilities and differences. Individual Education Plans are devised by the Special Needs Co-ordinator for children who have particular learning or behaviour difficulties. These programmes are followed in the classroom in small groups and in a one to one situation. In certain cases, with the parents’ prior consent, the programmes are supported by members of – CYPS – Child and Family Services and advised by the Educational Psychologist.
Gifted and talented children are enriched, nurtured and extended.
