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Information
Contents
| THE CURRICULUM |
CURRICULUM AIMS
· To provide opportunities for all pupils to learn and to achieve.
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To promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
and prepare all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and
experiences of life.
The National Curriculum applies to all
pupils of compulsory school age. It is organised on the basis of four
key stages. The first two stages, Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage
2 (ages 7-11) apply to this school. Pupils aged 3-5 (Nursery and
Reception classes) are referred to as the Foundation Stage. This stage
was introduced in September 2000 and the curriculum for this age group
is based on the DfEE document , Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation
Stage.
The National Curriculum covers the following subjects:-
English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology, PE, History, Geography, Art, Music, Design Technology.
For
each subject and for each key stage, programmes of study set out what
your child should be taught, and attainment targets set out the
expected standards of pupils' performance.
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| English |
We give a high priority to the basic skills of
reading, writing and speaking. Children are encouraged to write for a
variety of purposes and we aim to develop legible and fluent
handwriting with which they can express themselves clearly. They are
encouraged to develop an understanding of the use of language and the
need for grammatical structure. Spelling is taught and is strongly
linked to their handwriting skills. Regular reading habits are
encouraged both at school and at home. Reading is developed through a
variety of teaching methods. The school has a well-equipped library,
which is used extensively by the children. Fiction, non-fiction and
poetry are read to the children throughout the school.
The
school follows the National Literacy Strategy, introduced by the
government in September 1998 to raise literacy standards. Pupils
receive a daily Literacy lesson, which lasts about an hour. This lesson
involves all children reading a shared text, whole class teaching on
phonics, grammar or punctuation, some time spent working independently
or in a group and finishes with a plenary session.
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| Mathematics |
Our aim is to help children understand and use
Mathematics in their daily life. The school teaches the National
Numeracy Strategy, introduced in September 1999. Children receive a
daily Mathematics lesson which lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour,
depending on the age of the child. Time is spent on a wide range of
mathematical activities with a strong emphasis on mental calculation.
The emphasis on mental mathematics is to enable children to develop a
range of mental calculation skills (adding, subtracting, multiplying,
dividing and estimating) and the ability to apply them within a variety
of contexts.
The school has a Maths Games Library available to
all children. This provides children with games designed to develop and
practise at home the mathematical skills acquired in school.
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| Science |
Scientific skills such as observing, testing,
classifying, comparing, questioning, predicting and problem solving are
developed at all ages as appropriate to the child's development. Much
of the work is practically based and involves the use of the child's
immediate environment to study both living things and the physical
aspects of the world.
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| Information and Communication Technology (ICT) |
Information Technology is the use of systems which
can store or process information. Such systems include: tape recorders,
video recorders, cameras, fax machines, photocopiers, calculators and
computers.
Information and Communication Technology prepares
pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world. Pupils will use ICT
to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information.
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| History and Geography |
The immediate environment and children's own
experiences are often the starting point for investigations, which are
the first steps towards basic historical and geographical skills. As
the children develop, they acquire an understanding of time and place,
through studies of other countries and cultures, past and present. This
leads to an appreciation of the variety of physical and human
conditions on the earth, both now and in the past, and a sense of their
place and importance within it. We aim to help the children to consider
their own world and their responsibility to it.
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| Design Technology |
Design Technology combines designing and making
skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make
products. It includes experience of construction materials, of foods
and of textiles.
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| Art and Design |
Art and Design stimulates creativity and
imagination. We aim to develop the skills of drawing, use of colour,
painting, printing, modelling and the use of textiles and texture.
Children will be introduced to the works of different artists,
different cultures and different periods. Skills and techniques
appropriate to the children's development are taught so that they can
develop a sense of fulfilment in self-expression and an appreciation
for the aesthetic qualities of life.
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| Music |
We believe music enriches the quality of life.
Children are encouraged to enjoy music through singing and using a
variety of musical instruments. All children are involved in music
making and singing. Individual interests and skills are encouraged and
there are opportunities for the older children to play recorder,
violin, electronic keyboard, cello, brass or guitar. Children's
concerts are a regular part of the school year. The children also take
part in local music festivals and events.
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| PE and Games |
The children have regular PE lessons and a
well-equipped gymnasium gives the children opportunity to develop
physical skills. The extensive playing field also allows children of
all ages to participate in outdoor games, which in the Junior years
become more structured. Junior children have the opportunity to
experience a variety of game skills including football, netball,
hockey, rugby and rounders. A balanced programme of dance, gym and
games is designed to be both physically and mentally demanding.
There
are separate Sports Days for Junior, Infant and Nursery children, held
during the Summer term, to which parents are invited. These are
essentially fun events in which we expect all the children to
participate and to do their best.
Teams in football, rugby,
netball and rounders are run as extra curricular activities. Years 2 to
6 have swimming lessons at Yate Leisure Centre. (We encourage children
to enter for the various swimming award schemes.) Our main aim is to
ensure that all children become competent and safe in the water.
Other Subject Areas
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| Religious Education |
As a Church school we believe it is important to
introduce children to the religious and spiritual dimensions of life.
Religious Education is taught in accordance with the South
Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus. Although the Agreed Syllabus is
broadly Christian in nature, opportunity is given for children to
explore the beliefs and traditions of other major world religions. We
recognise that we live in a pluralist society and expect our children
to develop an understanding and respect for beliefs and cultures
different from their own.
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| Collective Worship |
There is a daily act of collective worship.
Arrangements for collective worship are made by the Governors and
reflect the Church of England Foundation in accordance with the
school's trust deed. We celebrate major Christian festivals in St
John's Church and parents are most welcome to join us on these
occasions. Reverend Christopher Wray leads worship at the school on a
regular basis. Under the terms of the 1944 Education Act parents have
the right to ask for their child to be withdrawn from Religious
Education and Collective Worship. Please inform the Headteacher if you
wish to exercise this right.
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| The Pastoral Curriculum |
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This school puts special emphasis on the pastoral
care of children. All staff have an undertaking to offer help, support
and guidance to children and concern for children's general well being.
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| Sex Education |
Sex Education provides an understanding that
positive, caring environments are essential for the development of a
good self image and that individuals are in charge of, and responsible
for, their own bodies. It provides knowledge about the process of
reproduction and the nature of sexuality and relationships. It
encourages the acquisition of skills and attitudes that allow pupils to
manage their relationships in a responsible and healthy manner.
Sex
education will be taught within a moral framework and be presented
within the context of family life, loving relationships and respect for
themselves and others. It will be, whenever possible, part of an
integrated curriculum and be approached as part of topic work at an
appropriate level for the children's age and understanding. When
children reach Year 5 a more formal lesson in Sex Education is taught.
The school nurse is involved with the lessons and uses a video and
leaflets to enhance the children's understanding. Subject content
includes puberty and personal hygiene. Parents are invited to watch the
video prior to it being shown to their children.
Parents have
the right to withdraw their children from any or all part of the
school's programmes of Sex Education, other than those elements which
are required by the National Curriculum. Parents do not have to give
reasons for their decision nor do they have to indicate what other
arrangements they intend to make for providing Sex Education. Any
request should be made in writing to the Headteacher.
Copies of the school's policy on Sex Education can be obtained from the school.
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| Multi-Cultural Education |
It is important for the children to develop an
understanding and appreciation of other races, religions and cultures
and to value their influences in our society. We endeavour to present
children with a balanced and positive picture of the value of different
cultures and customs through the curriculum. Unfortunately racial
harassment exists in society and, as a school under the control and
direction of South Gloucestershire Council, we wholeheartedly subscribe
to the Council's policy on anti-racism. The school will not tolerate
any form of racial harassment and, if it occurs, the school's
guidelines will be followed.
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| Equal Opportunities |
Access to all aspects of the curriculum is
considered a pupil's right whatever their gender, race, ability or
disability. An individual's needs may differ, depending on their own
circumstances and the school endeavours to meet those needs.
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| Special Educational Needs |
The school will seek early identification of any
child needing particular attention through normal monitoring procedures
used for all children throughout the school. We will try to provide
special help ourselves and also call on the Support Services provided
by the Local Authority. This may take the form of visits from
specialist teaching staff and/or from an educational psychologist.
Parents will be involved at all stages of this process.
There is
a designated Governor for Special Educational Needs and the school also
has a Special Needs Co-ordinator. The names of the current holders of
these positions are listed at the back of the Parent Handbook.
Children
with a Statement of Special Educational Need will be given extra
support to meet the needs identified in the statement. The school has a
policy for children with Special Educational Needs, a copy of which is
available for inspection in school.
The school is committed to
the full integration of pupils with learning difficulties or physical
disabilities and endeavours to provide the best possible education for
all children.
With regard to the admission of pupils with SEN or
disabilities, the school adheres to South Gloucestershire's Admissions
Policy.
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| Facilities for the Disabled |
The main building is suitable for wheelchair access
and there is a ramp allowing access from the junior playground to the
Green Hall. There is a toilet for the disabled by the main entrance.
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