This
is taken from our school prospectus. To download a complete copy please
click here. (Requires Microsoft
Word)
The curriculum is delivered by teachers who plan together to provide a
curriculum which is differentiated for ability and uses a variety of strategies
including whole class teaching, group teaching and individual work when
necessary.
Some of the curriculum areas are taught through a
topic or theme, some areas we teach as discrete subjects for example
mathematics. We set high
expectations and we aim to deliver a broad and balanced learning programme which
caters for the needs of all our children.
READING
We have a highly structured approach to the
teaching of reading and have fully implemented the National Literacy Strategy.
We use a wide variety of reading materials which is underpinned by a
published reading scheme - Oxford Reading Tree.
We teach phonics (ie. the sounds letters represent
when written down) and we help children to learn whole words and develop a wide
sight vocabulary.
We acknowledge the important role played by the
family in supporting children’s reading development by reading to them and
listening to them read.
We like children to share books with their family
both in school and at home. Children
can bring books home whenever they wish; all we ask is that you return them
promptly.
WRITING
Writing is an integral part of all the curriculum. Children
are involved in writing for many different purposes and in different ways.
There is an emphasis on helping children to become good spellers and to
develop a fluent handwriting style.
MATHEMATICS
Our approach to mathematics is underpinned by the
National Numeracy Strategy and we follow a highly structured scheme of work
supplemented and extended by problems solving activities and investigations.
We aim to develop children’s mental ability and we use various
strategies to help them.
In the early stages this may focus on developing
the child’s ability to recall quickly addition facts and in later years have
multiplication tables “at their fingertips”.
SCIENCE
Science is taught through active involvement in
practical work. We aim to develop
children’s understanding and skills as they progress through school.
They are involved in investigating in order to find out about the variety
of like materials and physical processes. We
encourage a questioning approach to the world they live in.
HISTORY AND
GEOGRAPHY
These subjects are mainly taught through topic
work. We always try to give the
children relevant experience which helps to develop their knowledge and
understanding of the subjects.
In History we encourage an investigative approach
and use a variety of source material to develop historical concepts of bias,
evidence, chronology and to help develop an understanding of the past.
In Geography we help children to develop knowledge
and understanding of places, people, environments, and the physical nature of
the world.
THE ARTS
The Arts play an important part in school life.
Our Arts Curriculum not only focuses on the teaching of skills but also
on individual children responding to experiences and representing them in
uniquely different ways. We aim to enable children to use their senses to interpret
their work.
There are many opportunities for children to
develop their musical abilities. As
part of our music curriculum we have several music teachers who visit school to
give specific teaching to children interested in learning to play the violin,
cello or a percussion instrument. This
year we have relaunched the school orchestra which currently has twelve members.
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
The emphasis in our Physical Education programme is
on individual effort and achievement and on the development of personal skills
which enable children to work as part of a team when necessary. We have a wide variety of PE equipment which is used to help
children to develop the skills they need in games, gymnastics and dance.
Clothing: In
order for children to gain maximum benefit from their PE sessions, it is
essential that they wear appropriate clothing.
Indoor Infants: vest, pants, bare feet
Indoor Juniors: shorts, T-shirt or leotard, bare
feet
Outdoor Juniors: shorts and T-shirt in summer, and
plimsolls or trainers. Jogging suit
and plimsolls or trainers in winter.
Safety: The
local Education Authority policy states that children must not wear jewellery of
any kind during PE sessions. Earrings
that cannot be removed must be covered.
SPORT
Throughout the year children have the
opportunity to play team sports including cricket, rounders, football and
netball. Our 5-a-side team
represented South Yorkshire in the National FA Final.
Whites Bakery currently sponsor our football team.
OUTDOOR
EDUCATION
As part of our Outdoor Education Programme we take
our older children to an outdoor activity centre.
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY AND I.C.T.
Design Technology involves our children in
designing, making and evaluating objects made by themselves and others. In addition, they work on projects which involve creating
systems, ie. rotas.
Information and computer technology is about using
computers in many different ways. We
aim to help children develop and use computer skills in all areas of the
curriculum and have a computer suite equipped with 15 computers where children
are taught computer skills in groups. Each
class also has at least one computer for cross-curricular lessons.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION
We are a non-denominational school.
The Religious Education within school is based on the recommendations of
Barnsley Education Authority’s syllabus and the 1988 Education Act.
We aim to promote the spiritual, moral and cultural
development of our children and acknowledge that the Nation’s roots lie in a
predominantly Christian culture. We
also encourage the children to understand and respect themselves, other people
and the environment.