Geddington C of E Primary School follow the National Curriculum as required of all schools in Local Authority control. We use this as a foundation on which to build a broad and balanced curriculum that aims to develop a love of learning and an aspiration to succeed as we prepare our children to be active, successful contributors to life in 21st century Britain.
Our curriculum is arranged around termly topics and children are encouraged to draw on skills from across a range of subjects as they progress through a topic. Where curriculum subjects do not fit comfortably within the topic they will be taught discretely to ensure high standards are maintained at all times.
Each child’s progress is carefully assessed, monitored and recorded and individual and group achievements are recognised. Children are taught as a whole class, in groups or individually depending on the subject, the individual’s ability and personality. Our aim is always to ensure that every child makes the maximum progress.
READING SCHEMES
We follow the Oxford Reading Tree reading scheme.
PHONICS SCHEMES
We follow Jolly Phonics and Letters & Sounds phonics schemes.
Click HERE for the Key Stage One Curriculum Map
Click HERE for the Key Stage Two Curriculum Map
Click HERE for a link to the Department for Education’s document – The National Curriculum in England Key Stage 1 &2 Framework document for more information.
EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
Children in our Reception Class follow The Foundation Stage Curriculum 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 seven 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 making themselves understood.
Literacy
Children are introduced to the fundamentals of reading and writing through a structured phonics programme and the chance to read and write in different contexts across the curriculum.
Mathematical Development
Children acquire mathematical concepts and develop numeracy skills.
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.
Expressive Arts and Design
Children develop and expand skills in art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM YEARS
Children in Years 1 to 6 follow the demands of the National Curriculum and The Northamptonshire Agreed Syllabus for RE.
ENGLISH
Spoken Language
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 – Word Reading and Comprehension
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.
Children are encouraged to form opinions about what they have read and to communicate these to others.
Writing – Transcription and Composition
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 (we use the Nelson Handwriting Scheme) and to use correct spelling and punctuation following the requirements laid out in the National Curriculum document. Some writing will be word processed.
MATHEMATICS
Children are helped to work positively in mathematics developing the ability to think clearly and logically, to have a strong grasp of core number skills and to be able to apply their learning in real life situations. The curriculum is divided into four main areas with the majority of time being spent on Number:
- Number – Place Value; Addition and Subtraction; Multiplication and Division and Fractions.
- Measurement
- Geometry
- Statistics
The teaching of Mathematics is supported by the Abacus Active Learning Platform.
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.
We are fortunate to be close to Newton Field Centre, Boughton House and its Estate, Rockingham Forest and the River Ise. Visits to many places of interest are an integral part of the school’s curriculum and Science benefits particularly from this.
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.
COMPUTING
All classes have timetabled sessions in the Computer suite as well as access to computers around the school, laptops and tablets. Children are expected to use IT to support their learning in different subjects.
The Computing Curriculum is delivered through the Rising Stars ‘Switched On’ scheme of work.
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’s 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 the guitar.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
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 Northamptonshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and is taught in accordance to the 1988 Education Reform Act. We aim for our children to learn from religion and learn about religion. As a church school there is an emphasis on Christian teaching throughout the school but we firmly believe that our children should learn to understand, respect and value other faiths and people of no faith. An important part of our RE syllabus is concerned with giving children the skills to make their own choices about faith whilst resisting those who might hold more extreme views.
Close relationships are enjoyed between school, the parish church and the chapel and special school services are enjoyed at Harvest Festival, Christmas and the end of each term.
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.
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
All children in KS2 are given the opportunity to study German and benefit from the expertise of a teacher whose first language is German. Children are encouraged to 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, specialist support is sought from outside agencies to help ensure that the needs of every child are being met.
Gifted and talented children are enriched, nurtured and extended.
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.
