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School Prospectus

School Details

The School Day

Morning Session 8.55 - 12.00
Afternoon Session 13.15 - 15.15

We are responsible for the care of the children from ten minutes before morning registration until ten minutes after the school day ends.

The total teaching time is 22 hours per week. Back to top

Uniform

Uniform

Our school colours are yellow, white and grey. School uniform is worn at the discretion of parents. We do, however, encourage the wearing of uniform as we consider it is practical and contributes to a feeling of belonging to the school. Back to top

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

The safety of the children is paramount and measures are constantly reviewed by the school governors and staff.

There is a member of staff at the school gate each morning to ensure that the children enter the school safely. For everyone's safety, traffic is not allowed onto the schools' site at the beginning or end of the school day. The riding of bicycles and scooters, dogs and smoking are not allowed in the school playground.

As a school located within seven miles of Broadmoor Hospital, we follow the recommended procedure in the event of an escape warning. Parents are provided with details when their child starts school. Back to top

Curriculum

Curriculum

Curriculum Statement

Each child will be offered a curriculum that promotes high standards of achievement, regardless of ability, ethnic origin or gender.

We aim to provide a curriculum which:-
follows the Foundation Stage Early Years' Curriculum and the Key Stage 1 National Curriculum and RE.
* is broad and balanced and develops children's knowledge, skills and understanding.
* has planned, wide-ranging, educational experience at a level appropriate to the individual child.
* allows the children to be taught as a whole class, in groups and one-to-one, as appropriate.
* addresses the children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, preparing them for life as effective citizens.
* will include relevant visits and visitors to school to enrich the curriculum. Back to top

Core Subjects

Core Subjects

Mathematics

We follow the Mathematics National Curriculum Programme of Study and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This consists of the following three strands:

* Using and applying mathematics
* Number and algebra
* Shape, space and measure

We encourage children to work with understanding and confidence at the level appropriate to their ability. We want them to enjoy mathematics and use their mathematical skills in practical situations to solve real-life problems.

Our mathematics work is primarily based on the National Numeracy Strategy. This is supplemented by investigations and problem-solving activities and enhanced by computer software and mathematical games.

English

We develop children's speaking and listening skills by providing the following activities :
- sharing experiences and news
- reading, listening to and discussing books
- asking and responding to questions
- giving and receiving instructions
- drama and role play
- taking messages.

The children learn a variety of strategies to enable them to read and write independently and with fluency. Reading is promoted as a pleasurable activity and the children are provided with a wide range of books including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays. They read with their class, with their literacy group and individually. Reading scheme books are colour-coded to reflect the reading level. The children have access to books of different styles in their class book corner and in the school library.

Children write regularly in a range of contexts; these include stories, news, poetry, letters, cards and non-fiction writing. As their writing develops, they concentrate on spelling, grammar, punctuation and presentation as well as composition.

Children are taught the correct formation of each letter - upper and lower case. Joined-up writing is taught from Reception as soon as children have mastered the correct letter formation.

Science

The National Curriculum Programme of Study is used to teach Science throughout Years 1 and 2.

The Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Curriculum.

We seek to enable each child to acquire the concepts, knowledge and skills necessary to gain an understanding of the nature of Science and Science practice. Children are given the opportunity to ask questions, suggest investigative ideas, observe results, and draw conclusions.

The plants and animals of the 'wild garden' and pond are studied. These activities support those experienced in the classroom.

The school is well-resourced for all our Science activities.

Information Technology

We encourage children to develop and use IT equipment in all the areas of the curriculum. They have access to a wide variety of IT resources including a range of software for our PCs, programmable toys, tape recorders, television and video recorders.

The Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms are fitted with interactive whiteboards.

The children will also be provided with supervised access to the internet to research information from museums, libraries, news providers and other suitable websites. They will also be able to exchange electronic mail with other schools.

We explore the use of everyday technology and its application in the outside world. Back to top

Non-core Subjects

Non-core Subjects

Art

We aim to develop the creative ability of each child and his/her enjoyment of art.

The children are taught to handle tools and use a variety of techniques and materials, both in two and three dimensions. These include drawing, painting, printing, collage, clay and other materials.

The children work from observation and imagination.

By looking at and talking about their own work and the work of artists, we also encourage the children to appreciate art.

In Year 2 the children visit the National Gallery.

Design and Technology

All children are given opportunities to develop their creative, designing and making skills through practical work.

They are encouraged to talk about, write or draw their ideas for their designs, select the best tools, materials and techniques for solving problems and make models and artefacts.

The children are taught how to use all equipment correctly and safely.

Geography

Geography is taught according to the National Curriculum Programme of Study.

The children are given opportunities to investigate the physical and human features of their surroundings using geographical questions, direct experience, practical activities and fieldwork in the locality of the school. A second locality, within the UK or overseas, is also studied.

They are given opportunities to become aware that the world extends beyond their own locality.

The school is well-resourced with pictures, photographs, books, videos, globes, atlases, maps, etc.

History

We aim to develop children's awareness and interest in the past, initially through topics concerned with themselves and everyday life, and through stories.

The curriculum includes the introduction of time lines, elements of Victorian life, famous people, artefacts, photographs and notable events in history.

Music

Our aims are to foster the enjoyment and appreciation of music and to develop the children's musical skills.

The children are given opportunities to sing together, to play tuned and untuned instruments and to listen to a variety of music. They have the opportunity to perform in small groups in assembly and school concerts, sometimes using their own compositions. The children are also given the opportunity to learn how to play the recorder during Year 2.

PSHE & Citizenship

In personal, social, health education and citizenship we aim to give the children opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy lives. PSHE is taught within other subjects and where appropriate as an individual subject. The children learn about themselves as developing individuals and as members of their community.

Physical Education

Physical education involves all the children within three areas of activity:

- Games - Children are taught to throw and catch, skip and play games with simple rules, using balls, bats, bean-bags, etc. These lessons take place in the hall, playground or on the field.

- Dance - Children are given opportunities to develop control and
co-ordination by moving to music and other rhythmic stimuli.

- Gymnastics - The children work in the hall on a variety of gymnastic apparatus appropriate to Key Stage One.

The children are encouraged to perform to the best of their ability in all areas, within a safe environment. We aim to promote the conventions of fair play and elements of competition appropriate for children of this age. All children participate in our annual sports day. Back to top

Religious Education

Religious Education

This is provided in accordance with the syllabus drawn up by the LEA.

We aim to help the children to:

* develop their personal beliefs and values
* respect all beliefs and religions
* be involved in the caring ethos of the school
* develop an awareness of right and wrong

Parents may withdraw their children from all or part of the Religious Education and collective worship provided. These children will be set work and supervised in a parallel class, as appropriate. Back to top

Sex Education Statement

Sex Education Statement

Children's questions are answered simply, honestly and sensitively with regard to each child's level of understanding and the context of the enquiry. Back to top

Special Educational Needs Policy Statement

Special Educational Needs Policy Statement

All children are assessed on entry and extra help will be given to any child who has learning difficulties. All children have individual needs and regular teacher assessment is designed to inform us of these. Programmes of work and strategies for meeting such needs can then be planned. There is consultation with parents and with outside agencies where it is appropriate.

Equally we aim to identify those children who are most able and provide a broad and balanced scheme of work. This is designed to enrich and extend their learning, further developing the knowledge and skills they have already acquired. Back to top