Curriculum
CURRICULUM
Our curriculum covers the National Curriculum for key stages one and two and the foundation curriculum for three to five year-olds. Each term we have a “focus week” with special events and visitors. Next year the focus weeks will be: 800 years of Leeds, European week, Arts week (KS2) and seaside week (KS1).
Foundation curriculum
We have a very good nursery and reception unit with excellent resources. The staff plan together and decide on a topic for each half term. The topic might relate to the time of year e.g. “Autumn” or such things as “Settling in” or “Weather”. The topic enables staff to enhance the experiences of the children through structured play and activities.
This year the foundation stage has made outdoor play better and has worked on a new phonics project to help children get a flying start with reading.
The foundation stage children work towards the Early Learning Goals as outlined by the Department of Education and Skills. Their achievement is assessed using the Foundation Stage Profile at the end of the reception year. These goals are organised into six areas of learning:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Mathematical development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world (including building and construction, investigating objects, materials, living things, and the environment, past and present, information and communication technology)
- Physical development
- Creative development (including art, design, music, drama, dance and role play)
At certain times of day the nursery and reception classes join together to become one unit and the children have free access to the rich variety of activities on offer in both areas.
Information and Communication Technology
Geography and History
French
Design Technology
Religious Education
P E
Citizenship
Sex Education
Special Needs
Homework
The school is following the National Literacy Strategy and this means that children will normally have a daily Literacy Hour. Children with English as an additional language are well supported.
Reading
Children are introduced to the Oxford Reading Tree in Nursery and Reception and this scheme is the basis for their reading work in Key Stage 1.
In Key Stage 2 the children will progress to reading a range of fiction and non-fiction material. There are libraries in both key stages.
There is a home lending library and children are encouraged to read with their parents at home and fill in the reading record. When children read at home they make more progress.
Writing
We teach children to write in a variety of styles and for different purposes.
Accurate use of grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation is taught as part of our literacy programme.
Joined handwriting will be introduced during year 1 and we expect most children to be using a fluent joined-up script by year 3. Children are taught to write fiction and non-fiction. They are taught to edit and improve their work.
Speaking and listening
As children progress through the school they are taught to speak in large and small groups and to discuss and reach agreement. All children will have the opportunity to perform in public in class and seasonal assemblies and year group plays. In key stage 2 the children will do history days in role as Vikings, Tudors, Victorians, and World War 11 evacuees. We often have visiting theatre groups to perform to the children.
Parents can support their children by:
- Talking with children and encouraging them to describe their experiences
- Reading to their children and developing a love of books
- Listening to children read and discussing the story
- Encouraging children to write for a purpose e.g. a letter, a list
- Developing an interest in words and helping them to learn their weekly spellings
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Key
We are following the National Numeracy strategy so the children will have daily mathematics lessons with a strong emphasis on mental mathematics.
In nursery and reception children work on developing mathematical understanding and language. Through practical activity children begin to discuss and record using numbers and simple diagrams.
We use the National Numeracy lesson plans supported by a wide range of published materials. Children are taught in ability groups either within or across classes. Children are expected to learn tables and number facts. Children are taught to develop problem-solving skills and to use calculators wisely.
Parents can support their children by:
- Practising number bonds and tables with their children
- Talking to their children about numbers
- Involving their child in practical maths when shopping, cooking, DIY
- Playing games such as Snakes and Ladders
- Playing matching games such as dominoes
- Ensuring homework is completed
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Science
Children follow a balanced science scheme, which covers scientific knowledge and the practical skills of science investigation.
Parents can support their children by:
- Encouraging their children to be observant and to try to suggest explanations for the things that they see in the natural world
- Encouraging their children to be curious and respect all forms of animal and plant life
- Encouraging their children to grow plants and to care for pets
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Information and Communication Technology
We have a new computer suite with sixteen computers. There are also computers in all classes, which are linked to the National Grid for Learning and have Internet access. We have a set of laptops for classroom work. There are Smart Boards in each classroom. Children are introduced to a wide range of electronic equipment including digital cameras, video, and digital radio. Children are taught about safety on the Internet.
Parents can support their children by:
- Giving them access to tape recorders, cameras and computers
- Being vigilant by monitoring what web-sites are logged on to
- Talking with them about how machines work
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Geography and History
Geography and history are taught mainly through topic work during a term or half term. Research and field trips form an important part of the work in KS2.
The area surrounding the school is a rich source of historical and geographical interest and the children study the local area in depth before studying other areas and different countries.
All topics are supported by visits to places of interest or visitors are invited into school.
Parents can support their children by:
- Taking their child out and increasing their knowledge of the world around them
- Taking their children to places of special historical/geographical interest
- Making their child more aware of the wider world
- Discussing information broadcast on radio or television or featured in newspapers
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
French
The study of a Modern Foreign Language is the most recent addition to our curriculum and we have chosen to introduce French to our pupils. This is being 'phased' in and at present is taught in years 4 and 5, although we are using it in a less formal way in other year groups. By the time a Modern Foreign Language becomes statutory for Primary School children we should be well established in its teaching.
Creative Arts
We believe the creative subjects are very important to the development of children’s self-expression and confidence. The teaching of the arts is a strength of the school and we offer an enriched curriculum, which involves children in drama, music, art and writing activities. Children perform to their parents at least once a year.
Music - In addition to class music lessons can learn the recorder and join the choir. All children learn the recorder in year three. We have visiting teachers from Intake High school who teach music in year 5 and 6. We have a programme of visiting musicians who work with children in their class groups.
Children who are talented in music have the chance to attend the Junior Centre of Excellence at Intake High School.
Parents can support their children by:
- Encouraging them to listen to a variety of music and, if they show an interest, to learn a musical instrument
- Taking their children to concerts and musical shows
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Art and design
Children explore painting, drawing various media, printing, claywork, papier-mâché and collage. Many of the starting points for the work come from observations of works of art. Children use sketchbooks to record their ideas. Visiting artists come to school to work with the children. Children visit Leeds City Art Gallery at least once in their time at school.
Parents can support their children by:
- Drawing the children’s attention to the beauty of the world around them
- Encouraging their children to look carefully at works of art
- Encouraging children to draw and paint at home
- Taking them to see art exhibitions and art galleries
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Design technology
This is a practical subject that allows the children to design and make artefacts and moving systems. Children are trained to handle materials and equipment safely.
Parents can support their children by:
- Cooking with them at home
- Encouraging them to use construction toys like Lego (boys and girls)
Encouraging them to make junk models
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Religious education
Religious education is planned as part of our school topics and is also given at assemblies. Parents should tell the school in writing if they wish their child to be withdrawn from this. We aim to develop in our pupils a code of behaviour and self-discipline together with sound moral standards. We also develop a knowledge and understanding of world religions, which will enable them to live successfully in our multicultural society. We visit a mosque in year 6. Close links exist between the school and local places of worship and the Reverend Gordon Cooper of Venerable Bede is a frequent visitor.
Parents can support their children by:
- Talking to their children about right and wrong
- Encouraging them to talk about their thoughts and feelings
- Encouraging them to find out about other religions
- Helping them to respect other people’s beliefs especially when they are different from their own
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
PE
We have a rich PE curriculum supported by specialist coaches and visits from organisations such as Leeds Rhinos. We enter teams in many local tournaments and competitions. Children are encouraged to skip before school and there are a variety of sports clubs that they can attend before and after school.
Children have swimming lessons in year 4.
Children can join in Wake Up and Shake Up, a children’s aerobics activity.
Children should bring a change of clothes for PE. PE lessons are part of the curriculum and children are expected to take part if they are well enough to be at school unless they have a note about a medical reason.
We offer children a residential in year 5 where children can take part in adventurous activities.
Parents can support their children by:
- Encouraging them to throw, catch, balance and jump
- Encouraging them to attend after school clubs
- Taking them swimming, cycling, fishing, walking etc
- Encouraging them to understand fair play in sport
- Taking them to sporting events
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Citizenship
We teach a full citizenship programme from nursery to year 6. It covers all aspects of the children’s social, personal, emotional and health education. The children have circle time every week where school council minutes are discussed and most of the citizenship curriculum is covered. There is an ethos statement for every week which children will discuss in class and assembly. Children are taught road safety, water safety and to do basic emergency first aid. We will be working on a story-telling project with four other European countries this year.
Parents can support their children by:
- Encouraging them to talk through problems
- Encouraging healthy habits, healthy snacks, regular exercise
- Discussing issues that come up from watching television programmes
- Praising them when they do something well
- Encouraging them to get even better at areas that they are good at.
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Sex Education
We plan a curriculum to cover all aspects of healthy living including sex education. Parents will be told when sex education is to take place and given the opportunity to withdraw their children if they wish. Sex education is taught in the context of family relationships. Parents will be invited to see the video used before the lessons take place.
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Special Needs
Many children will have some kind of special need during their time at school. The school or the parent can start the process that may lead to a child getting extra support in school. Children may be included in the special needs register at School Action, School Action Plus or as a child with a Statement of Special Needs.
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2
Children are expected to take their reading book and notebook home every night and read at home from the reception class. Homework will be given at least weekly in mathematics. Spellings will be sent home for learning once a week from year 1. The amount of homework given will increase as children get older. Children in year 5 and 6 will have a special homework diary.
Return to curriculum list..... Key Stage 1 and 2