Curriculum

Foundation Stage | Key Stage 1 | Key Stage 2

Mathematics
The school uses the National Numeracy Framework as the core scheme for mathematics teaching - copies are available in school. Activities are supported by materials from a range of 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 the Numeracy Hour.

Language
The school uses the National Literacy Framework as a core scheme 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. We have a number of published reading schemes in school 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
Certain aspects of music are covered through topic work. However, specific subject lessons are also planned to teach a particular skill or area of knowledge. Our children are introduced to music through a variety of experiences; listening to music in assemblies, concerts, class music lessons and the production of musicals. We encourage all children to join choirs for special events and our aim when producing musicals is to involve as many children as possible. Pupils are given the opportunity to learn to play the recorder. Guitar, Woodwind and Brass instrument lessons are available for a modest fee, with tuition provided by peripatetic music teachers. Staff from the Performing Arts Development Service support our music curriculum in various ways.

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.

Information Technology
Each class has at least three computers. 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 be made with the Headteacher.