Our School Curriculum...
CURRICULUM RESPONSIBILITIES
ENGLISH (LITERACY)
The development of the ability to use the English language is the cornerstone of each child's educational progress, since it is part of every activity that takes place in school. We aim to foster and encourage the children's linguistic skills in all important communicative areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing including spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Reading is an essential skill and continuous process, which takes place across all aspects of the curriculum and the children's progress is closely monitored by class teachers. We have a stock of varied and attractive fiction books and a school library containing a wide and numerous selection of reference books to which the children have continuous access.
Most of the children's development in English comes from the National Literacy Strategy and their own practical use of the language using a variety of approaches e.g. topic based, research orientated and specifically language directed. Through group and class discussions, drama lessons and taking part in assemblies, the children learn to express orally not just information but also their ideas and thoughts in a clear and interesting way, and to listen to others with awareness and concentration.
MATHEMATICS (NUMERACY)
Amongst our aims for the teaching of Mathematics is the need to develop the following:
1. Confidence, enjoyment and a sense of achievement.
2. An understanding of Mathematics through a process of enquiry and experience.
3. Mathematical skills and knowledge accompanied by the quick recall of basic facts.
4. An appreciation of the nature of numbers and of space leading to an awareness of the basic structure of Mathematics.
5. An awareness of the uses of Mathematics in the world beyond the classroom.
In seeking to achieve our aims, the teaching of Mathematics involves practical working using a variety of equipment, problem-solving and investigational work, with all three areas high priorities within the requirements of the National Numeracy Strategy.
Children will be given opportunities to consolidate and practice basic Mathematical concepts and skills in different ways. They will be encouraged to develop the ability to calculate efficiently, both on paper and mentally.
SCIENCE
Our aim is to develop within the children an enthusiasm for and understanding of Science, and its related areas. With the assistance of the requirements of the National Curriculum, we are able to develop both features by using a wide variety of resources and by Science being taught as part of the project work undertaken by the individual class.
The main intention is for the children to develop a questioning attitude towards their surroundings. They are encouraged to plan and carry out simple experiments in order to improve their knowledge of the natural and physical world.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
To enable the children to develop as far as they possible can in their accomplishments, the role of physical development and awareness has an important place in the curriculum. Our aim is to provide frequent opportunities in our programme, which uses the National Curriculum as a framework to enable the children to extend their physical capabilities.
Children are encouraged to extend their skills gradually and to respect each other's efforts in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust.
A variety of physical activities are organised, both in the curriculum and during extra-curricular time. These can include Football, Netball, Cross-Country, Hockey, Rugby, Gymnastics, Dance, Rounders, Athletics, Cricket and Swimming. The school participates in most District Competitions and various school sports events are organised throughout the year, including our annual Sports Day and Swimming Galas.
All jewellery, including ear studs, must be removed for all aspects of Physical Education. Consequently, having your child's ears pierced should be left until the start of the summer holiday.
HOW OUR SPORTING AIMS ARE ACHIEVED
The school includes individual and team sports in the P.E. curriculum as required by the National Curriculum. The school also promotes sport through the wide variety of extra-curricular activities on offer.
The school participates in a variety of inter-school / district/ county competitions of a sporting nature (soccer, netball, cross-country, swimming, New Image Rugby, athletics) and achieved some success in the previous academic year e.g. third at the district netball rally, winners of Wey Valley, Guildford and Godalming Chess League.
Pupils have every opportunity to enjoy their sport and gain the full, physical, mental and social benefits that sport can offer.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Design Technology is a process of practical problem solving taught across the curriculum. The children are either provided with a task or incorporate their own from inquisitiveness during their project work. They are provided with a variety of materials to solve the problem that emphasises practicality, suitability,economy and aesthetics.
This also includes Home Economics and our facilities enable us to integrate this into the classroom.
Our aim for the children is to produce finished results which are pleasing in taste and appearance. An understanding in good nutrition is also encouraged.
Concepts and skills from other curriculum areas are integrated into these practical sessions, so that the children are aware of the place of Home Economics with the curriculum as a whole.
Children must not bring loose ingredients or homemade foods to be used in lessons or school functions. This is to ensure that children are not endangered by associated food related illnesses. During a school function or lesson requiring foodstuffs the children will be asked for a 'voluntary contribution' to enable staff to purchase the necessary items. An alternative to this would be to ask for 'shop' produced pre-packaged items. These will need to be date checked.
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
The School has almost fifty multi-media computers (sixteen in the ICT Suite) and twenty laptops. In addition to this we have five scanners, an interactive white board, digital cameras and digital movie camera. Used as teaching aids in the first instance, the computers are an integral part of the curriculum, incorporating a variety of programs.
THE TEACHING STAFF
Mr K Davies - Headteacher
Mr B Hammond - Deputy Headteacher
Miss C Denney - 3D
Miss V McCallum -3M
Mrs K Stephens - 3S
Miss K McCarthy - 4Y
Mrs S McLean - 4N
Miss J Green - 4G
Mrs S Tattersdill - 5R
Mr R Green - 5G
Mr T Nethercott - 5N
Mrs N Nicholson - 6N
Miss C Green - 6G
Mr A Jenkins - 6J
(Mrs M Mitchell is currently on maternity leave)