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CurriculumSchool Curriculum.At St Edmunds we pride ourselves in delivering a curriculum which is both purposeful and creative and tailored to meet the needs of all the children. This approach enables us to not only celebrate the many different gifts and talents which children have but also fulfil national curriculum and national strategy requirements in an enjoyable and meaningful way. RE RE in the school is not treated purely as a lesson, but rather the development of an understanding throughout the school that we are part of the family of God, thereby creating a happy atmosphere. We follow the 'Here I Am' programme for teaching RE as recommended by the diocese. This also includes work to be done at home, which involves vital parental input. The children's 'Here I Am' books are sent home each week and we would urge parents to encourage their children to treat this book as something very special. We aim to create a caring environment, where the children show love and care for one another. One of the ways in which we do this is by being involved with charitable projects, usually concerning children. Our school council is very involved in this and sponsor the education of two children, through Action Aid. We emphasise the importance of a loving attitude to all creation. If things go wrong we discuss with the children what was wrong and why we should behave in a certain way. A 'living liturgy' is vital to our spiritual growth. Regular liturgies and masses are prepared for and by the children and all children attend daily assembly. We have a school mass every term at St Joseph’s Milford The Programme for Education in Personal Relationships (which includes our Sex Education programme) begins in Reception Class when children are helped to develop relationships with each other and their teachers. This is developed through our RE programme and Healthy Living curriculum and, eventually, at the top of the school, children learn about puberty and the changes that happen to them. This all takes place within the context of Christian living and the teaching of the Catholic Church. Our programme also includes social and emotional aspects of learning, which forms part of our circle time and encourages children to develop their relationships with others. Children from our Year 3 class receive preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist through the parish programme. We reinforce the teaching through our RE lessons and assemblies. During Advent and Lent the all children have the opportunity to prepare for Christmas and Easter during a reconciliation service after which the older children can receive individual reconciliation. We foster an awareness of economic and industrial understanding in our changing world. We promote opportunities to develop good citizenship, making worthwhile links with the community and parish, and encourage the children to value and actively conserve the environment within a healthy and safe context. In recognition of this the school has been awarded the national Healthy School and Eco School accreditation. Core Subjects Literacy The English National Curriculum comprises three areas of language: 1) reading, 2) writing, and 3) speaking and listening. We aim to foster an enjoyment of and enthusiasm for all areas of language through a range of discrete and cross-curricu1ar approaches. We encourage a love of books through special events such as Book Week and Poetry Week. Emphasis is placed on structured reading and a variety of reading material is available in each class and the library. Drama is promoted through the school year, and we regularly invite professionals into the school to undertake workshops and performances to enrich our curriculum. We have a specialist Dance and Drama teacher who teaches Years 1 to 6 every week. We encourage children to regularly enter writing competitions and have ‘real writers’ visit the school. Children regularly receive reading, spelling and other literacy activities to take home, to aid the development of children's literacy through strong home/school links. Maths Mathematics is usually taught as a discrete subject using the approaches of the Numeracy Strategy, though opportunities are sought to bring the subject alive with cross curricular activities. We focus on mathematical activities which are meaningful and purposeful, providing opportunities for creative and intellectual learning. Children are taught the necessary skills and concepts to apply confidently to problem solving and mathematical investigations. Mental mathematics is recognised as an important and integral part of mathematical understanding, as is the learning of number bonds and tables. Science In their science lessons the children are encouraged to find out about themselves and their environment through first hand experience, with emphasise on scientific investigation. They are taught to observe, question, predict and investigate the world around them. The school follows the National Curriculum for Science. The Health and Safety guidelines are also followed, with the safety of the children being paramount. The links between science and the religious curriculum relate to the wonder of all of God's creation and the need to understand and respect all of life on Earth. ICT Information & Communication Technology is a development of the subject IT. The inclusion of 'Communication' reflects the development of the use of the Internet. Children, under supervision, are able to use the resources of the World Wide Web to ask questions and access information. Specific skills in using the computer are developed from Reception Class and, by Year 6, children learn to analyse, process and present information but ICT is also used in a cross curricular way. All classes have interactive whiteboards to enhance the curriculum and all classes are timetabled to use our modern ICT suite for whole class lessons. Apart from using computers, children also become independent in using listening posts and other audio and visual equipment. Experimentation allows pupils to explore their own environment and discover things for themselves. Foundation Subjects DT The children are encouraged to be inventive in designing practical ways of solving problems. This involves planning, designing, creating, modifying and evaluating, choosing appropriate materials and working at their own level. These materials include constructional toys as well as wood, card, plastic, etc. Humanities History gives the opportunity for children to be detectives and puzzle out the past for themselves, using documentary evidence, artefacts and information from a number of sources. This promotion of critical thinking enables pupils to understand the present in the light of the past and to learn about the development of Britain, Europe and the world. Historical visits include Hampton Court, Butser Farm and the Toy Museum. Children's understanding of the world is enhanced through current affairs in the upper school and global issues are explored. Geography allows the pupils to acquire an understanding of the natural world and the society in which they are growing up. Children gradually move out from the knowledge and understanding of their immediate environment to develop practical skills, such as map-reading and first hand 'field experiences'. Use is made of the school grounds, the local area and children also go on residential trips. Art The children receive numerous opportunities to become experienced with various art media, e.g. painting, drawing with pencil, charcoal or pastel, pottery, work with textiles and modelling. Skills are introduced and gradually built on through progression. Opportunities are planned to display children's artwork. Every child in the school has a personal visual diary in which they record their work. Physical Activities Physical education covers aspects of educational gymnastics, dance and movement, swimming, games and athletics. Outdoor and adventure activities are covered during residential trips and curriculum weeks. PE is taught to encourage the children to develop and acquire skills, select and apply these skills appropriately, refine and evaluate their own and others performance in the context of health and safety awareness. We promote equal opportunities and treat children as individuals with their own abilities, difficulties and attitudes. In addition to teaching football, netball and other outdoor games in lessons extra curricular clubs are offered. Key Stage 2 pupils play football and netball matches against other schools. The older children use the field at Busbridge Infant School on a regular basis for both PE lessons and clubs. We invite professionals in to inspire us and enrich our provision both in lessons and in clubs. We also have regular specialist dance teaching for Year 1 – 6. The school also enters the local schools’ Football League Competition and various tournaments, the local schools’ netball league and netball tournaments, the District Athletics competition and cross country running. Safety is very important so the wearing of any body jewellery is not allowed in PE lessons. We are also part of the Schools partnership for sport with our local secondary schools, adding a further dimension to sports provision. Music We have a specialist music teacher who teaches Years 1-6 every week in addition to the music the children have in their class and singing practice. The children are encouraged to learn an instrument and peripatetic teachers from the music centre teach piano, guitar, violin and flute. There is also a choir which performs in liturgies and for old people’s clubs, especially prior to Christmas. Modern Foreign Language (French) Years 1 -6 have a specialist modern language teacher who teaches French once a week, with a focus on conversational French. Themed and Curriculum weeks In order to make the curriculum creative and purposeful class teachers arrange themed weeks every term for their year groups. In addition different subject leaders lead curriculum days/weeks to make the curriculum more meaningful. In the summer term there is a whole school curriculum week. Special Educational Needs “We are all made in the image of God, and all are accepted for what we are, rather than what we do” Any child who requires education provision additional to, or otherwise different from, that made generally for children of their class is regarded as having a special need. In our school we make provision from the earliest opportunity for children experiencing difficulty with a variety of problems including processing language, speech difficulties, problems with motor skills, difficulties with communicating and social skills. We are constantly striving to gain more training to understand the best way in which to help children to overcome difficulties. We implement the Code of Practice for those children whose progress gives cause for concern to either parents or teachers. Such children are identified by teacher assessment, statutory testing and discussion with parents and monitored closely. The teacher gathers information about the child, in consultation with the SENco (Special Needs Co-ordinator) differentiates work in class to help the child to make progress. If targets are still not being achieved, with parental permission other agencies are contacted for advice to assess the child. Agencies that already advise us in school include: the Speech and Language Therapy Unit, the Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapy, Child and Family Guidance and Literacy and Language support. At this point the child is at School Action Plus with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) drawn up with targets so that progress can be clearly monitored and evaluated. If progress is still not being achieved and the child's attainment is falling below agreed County criteria then the school will apply to the LA for a statutory assessment. This is called a Statement of Special Education Needs. The LA considers the application and, if appropriate, makes a Statement, arranges funding for provision of support, then monitors and reviews its provision. At all stages parents are consulted and encouraged to work alongside the school to support their child and help them to achieve their targets. |
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Our mission at St Edmund’s is to develop, support and
guide everyone at our school to achieve their best in their lives,
within a caring community which reflects the love of God
St Edmund's Catholic Primary School, The Drive, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1PF |
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