Curriculum
Mathematics
The school uses the National Numeracy Framework as a core resource for mathematics teaching - copies are available in school. Activities are supported by materials from a range of sources including internet based resources, published schemes and those produced by teachers. Our main aims in mathematics are summarised as follows:
- To help children to discover and understand the key elements of number, space, shape, measures, and data handling.
- To give children the ability to use this knowledge and understanding to help solve everyday practical problems with accuracy, speed (when necessary) and enjoyment.
- To enable all our children to estimate and approximate sensibly and to realise the value of this skill.
- To give children understanding and experience of working with calculators and computers in the solution of everyday problems.
We have a carefully structured pre-number programme outlined in the Foundation Stage Curriculum, involving experiences of a wide variety of concrete materials. Children have opportunities to work with structured apparatus, developing strong educational foundations on which to build, before they move on to purely abstract problem solving and computation. Mathematics work is usually done by the whole class at the same time, a lesson will include some class teaching, group and individual work. Pupils are grouped according to ability where appropriate. See Parents’ Information Leaflet on Numeracy Teaching.
Language
The school uses the National Literacy Framework as a core resource for teaching language - copies available in school. Language teaching includes the following key areas:
Speech
Since, in the lives of the great majority of people, the ability to speak properly is of greater importance than the ability to write effectively, it is vital that we should devote much attention to the children's ability to verbalise skilfully, fluently, and meaningfully. We aim to develop the ability to communicate effectively through speech so that by the end of the primary phase our children are able to hold an intelligent conversation with other children and adults and speak in different ways for a range of different purposes.
Listening
The ability to listen is essential to educational progress and good manners. Children should be taught to listen with an increasing span of attention and concentration to other children and adults, and should develop the ability to give, receive, and follow accurately, precise instructions when pursuing a task individually or as members of a group.
Reading
In the light of the main aims for the school we of course attach great importance to the teaching of reading at all levels. Pupils in the early years follow a phonics programme called “Letters and Sounds” – which provides them with the skill to learn and use sounds to support their independent reading and writing. Pupils are also taught other strategies to decode text, such as the visual recognition of key words and comprehension cues. The school uses a number of published reading schemes, supplemented by a wide range of suitable reading materials. Books are coded into bands of difficulty and pupils are supported in their progression through, and appreciation of, a broad range of genre. Children are encouraged to take reading material home and we welcome the support of parents in the reading process. (Details of our teaching strategies etc. can be found in the Parents' Reading Guide)
Writing
Children need to develop the ability to construct and convey meaning in written language, matching style to audience and purpose. There are several categories of writing and these are covered in meaningful ways. Writing is taught through planned language lessons and also within other subject areas. Basic rules of grammar are taught. Handwriting is important and the children are encouraged to produce clear and legible joined-up writing, whilst at the same time gaining confidence with word processing programs to produce printed material.
Spelling
Spelling is considered important, and children are taught word families and their relationships, through a structured scheme. In revising and redrafting their work they are taught to check the accuracy of their spelling and be proficient in the use of dictionaries and word books.
History, Geography, Science and Technology
The requirements of the National Curriculum orders in science, technology, history and geography are met through carefully planned units of work. Topics covered will have a subject bias, but are also planned to reinforce aspects of other subjects. For example, work done within a topic on the Egyptians addresses part of the Art curriculum. Many key skills are learnt, extended and consolidated through topic work. A mixture of different teaching and learning strategies are used including whole class teaching, group work or individual study. All the children in one class may be working on the same subject at the same time, or groups and individuals may be engaged in a variety of tasks. Staff at all times endeavour to make work interesting and exciting, making full use of educational visits, guest speakers, artefacts, television and radio.
Music
Art
Art is taught through planned units of work, which are designed to cover a range of experience, skills and knowledge. We aim to foster an appreciation of pupil’s talents and that of others. The school makes use of art specialists and artists in residence for particular projects or arts events. The careful and attractive display of pupils work is given priority, to encourage pride in achievements and to improve the quality of the school environment.Visits to concerts, the theatre, art galleries and sculpture parks are planned in conjunction with topic work or as social family events.
Physical Education
Staff follow the programmes of study outlined in the National Curriculum and also in the Barnsley LEA guidelines. Emphasis is placed on the development of individual skills across a broad range of activities including games, gymnastics, athletics and swimming. All children are encouraged to participate, enjoy and value their own achievements in physical education and to appreciate good sportsmanship. The P.E. curriculum is supplemented by a broad range of sporting, athletics and dance activities and specialist coaching.
Sporting Provision
In addition to time allocated to individual and team sports in the formal curriculum, we aim to give pupils the opportunity to participate in an extensive range of additional activities after school and at weekends. The school has football, netball, rounders, unihoc, rugby and cricket teams. The majority of matches are organised with other local schools. However, the school does participate in competitions and tournaments organised by other bodies, e.g. Community Police, Barnsley Football Club and the Rotary Club. Specialists are used when available and to date these have included rugby, cricket, football, basketball, tri-golf and tennis coaches. Pupils can enjoy the external “Kickwall” facility, both in and outside school time. The school holds a Sports Activemark in recognition of the sporting opportunities provided.
Information Technology
Each Key Stage 1 class has access to at least two computers. Key Stage 2 classes have a suite of laptops, which can be used via wireless connection within each classroom. The school also has an ICT suite. A range of programs to supplement, extend and enhance the curriculum are allocated to each age band. All pupils are given the opportunity to practise and develop their computer competence; basic skills outlined in the National Curriculum are taught through specific ICT lessons. Computer club is held after school each week and members attend in rotation. The school is linked to the Internet, subject to appropriate filters. Pupils are taught about safe use of the Internet and sign an Internet Agreement. Each pupil has an e.mail address, which they are also taught to use.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Our school is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England school, and we have close links with our Parish Church, Holy Trinity. Reverend Hale is a regular visitor to the school, taking part in our morning worship. The school makes full use of the Church for services and special assemblies, and we are involved in several collaborative ventures with the church.
In religious education we are trying to give our children the experience and background to develop spiritually and morally. Worship is central to all religious education and school assembly is considered an important part of the day, which we all share together. Worship is largely Christian in character, to show a church that is alive and relevant, linking appropriately with other religions from around the world. The school has a Religious Education Policy, which includes progressive schemes of work based on Barnsley’s Agreed Syllabus. Links are made to other curriculum areas especially PHSE. We are visited regularly by the Diocesan Adviser for Religious Education who comes to talk to us about our work and see the children in school. Exemption from worship and religious education is allowed for in the 1944 Education Act. If parents wish their children to be withdrawn, arrangements can easily be made with the Headteacher.
PHSE
Personal, social, health education and citizenship is part of our curriculum in order to support children in becoming healthy, independent and responsible members of society. We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community. In so doing we help develop their sense of self worth. We teach them how society is organised and governed. We ensure that they experience the process of democracy in school through the school council. We teach them about rights and responsibilities, health and well being. The PHSE curriculum is taught through progressive units of work and covers subjects such as drugs, healthy living and relationships. Pupils have the opportunity to share their concerns, discuss school policy and express their feelings and emotions through regular discussions in “Circle Time.” PHSE also underpins other subjects throughout the curriculum.
The school endeavours to continually extent and develop the curriculum to promote key skills and thinking skills and to address the many and varied learning styles of our pupils. Extensive use is made of trips, special events and visiting speakers / performers in order to ensure a lively and stimulating curriculum.