The Curriculum
Reception aged children follow the Foundation Stage curriculum.
The children experience a play-based curriculum that covers the following six areas of learning:
· Personal, social and emotional development
· Communication, language and literacy
· Mathematical development
· Knowledge and understanding of the world
· Physical development
· Creative development
The Foundation Stage Profile is completed throughout the children’s first year to track individual children’s progress in these six areas.
In KS1 classes (Y1 and Y2) there are three “core” subjects:
· English
· Mathematics
· Science
Foundation subjects:
· Art
· History
· Geography
· Music
· P.E.
· Information and Communication Technology
· Design & Technology (Food Technology)
· Religious Education
· Personal, Social, Health & Emotional Education
Teachers ensure that the statutory programmes of study set out in the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 children are covered.
In all year groups the teaching staff work hard to make the curriculum interesting and fun for the children. We have asked the children about their interests and what they would like to learn about.
To keep the curriculum exciting and meaningful to the children all year groups are taught through a topic-based curriculum.
In practical terms this means that there is a theme to the work the children are doing, e.g. when the children are learning about ‘Dinosaurs’ they may write dinosaur stories, dinosaur fact sheets, measure dinosaur lengths in the playground, paint dinosaur pictures, learn about fossils etc.
Before starting a topic children are asked by their class teacher ‘What would you like to learn about…e.g. dinosaurs?’ The children’s questions are then incorporated into the teacher’s planning.
All parents/carers are given opportunities throughout the year to come into school and discuss their child’s progress with their class teacher.
At the end of the Foundation Stage parents/carers are informed of their child’s progress in meeting the early learning goals.
At the end of Y2 the children’s National Curriculum levels in Speaking & Listening, Reading, Writing and Science are reported to parents/carers.
Each child also has an end of year report sent home in July.
‘Challenge Time’
In Y1 and Y2 the children take part in daily ‘Challenge Time’ sessions. This is a time when ‘each child has part of the day to lead their own learning’ (Vision statement). The children help plan a range of learning experiences that take place in their class covering a range of subjects.
Swimming
During Terms 5 and 6 of the academic year 2007-8 the Y2 children have been attending weekly swimming lessons.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
The staff organise a range of extra-curricular clubs open to all children to run during Terms 2, 4 and 6 each year. Some of the clubs we have organised this year include: Art, ICT, Animation, Fame Academy/Dance, PE, Allotment, Board Games, Recorders and Nature.
School Trips
The staff are committed to providing the children with a range of school trips to enhance learning as well as have fun. The children thoroughly enjoy the trips!
This year children have visited @Bristol, St. Fagan’s in Wales, Avon Valley Country Park, the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
In order for these trips to take place we need to ask parents/carers for a voluntary financial contribution towards the cost. No child will be excluded through non-payment, but it is important to note that without the contributions the visits may not take place. Risk assessments are carried out for all trips and insurance for the children is included in the cost of the trip.
Click on the links below for more information regarding our curriculum.
Supporting your child at home
The role of Parents and Carers
Policies and proceedures-frequently asked questions
