The Curriculum

Overview

English

Mathematics

Science

Information and communications technology - (I.C.T.)

Design Technology

History

Geography

Art

Music

Physical Education

French

Religious Education

Special Needs

Homework

Assessment and Testing

Overview

The Core National Curriculum Subjects are:
Mathematics, English and Science.
(I.C.T.) - Information and Communications Technology is to be used as widely as possible.

The other Foundation Subjects are:
Design-Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education.
We are also required by statute to teach Religious Education.
Though not statutory we choose to teach French in Years 5 and 6.
Subjects are often integrated in Topic work. Back to top

English

This involves four skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
These areas are developed together across the subject band. Reading and Writing form the basis of the Literacy Hour, speaking and listening are also developed at this time. Language is fundamental to all areas of the curriculum and has a place in everything we do in school. Parental support is required for home practice of spellings, reading and writing; this pays a clear dividend. The development of English is supported by the use of ICT.

Reading
·Reading is a cornerstone for learning.
Reading with understanding is paramount.
Through the National Literacy Strategy children are taught to develop a variety of reading skills including skimming, scanning and effective use of dictionaries and other reference materials. A range of strategies for understanding text are taught.
·Children are encouraged with a modern, graded reading scheme and individual help to make good progress toward being independent readers.
·In addition to reading in class children are encouraged to read for pleasure and for information through regular library periods and reading at home.
·Our school library contains fiction and non-fiction books, encyclopaedias, atlases and other books of reference.
Each class has its own fiction library.
·Many new books are purchased every year so that there is good reading material for all abilities.
·Pupils are encouraged to take books home and taught to take care of books.

Writing
·There is a progressive emphasis on the skills of planning, drafting, revising, proof reading and presentation.
·The purpose of any writing is considered, e.g. recording information, story telling, letter writing, E-mailing, poetry or the giving of instructions all require a different approach. Pupils are taught to recognise when these different forms are appropriate and given practice in their use.
·Standard forms of English are taught so that pupils understand sentence structure, can punctuate correctly and write in a clear and well organised way.
Information Technology is used to further Writing Skills by the use of word processing and desktop publishing software and palm-top spell checkers.
To aid fluency attention is paid to spelling and handwriting. This enables clarity for the reader and increases confidence with words.

Speaking and Listening
·Speaking and listening are important skills that need to be developed together for effective communication to take place.
·Speaking in a discussion group, or as part of a drama group, helps children learn to express themselves clearly and confidently.
·Effective listening requires an active response. It involves the forming of questions so that we ensure we understand what other people mean. As well as listening for understanding, children also need to be given the opportunity to listen for appreciation to music, drama, poetry and stories.
·We use tapes, T.V and sometimes visit a theatre or have performers into school. Back to top

Mathematics

·In Mathematics we aim to develop a thorough understanding of mathematical concepts and the confidence to apply skills and knowledge to a variety of situations.
·Our strategy to achieve this is by teaching the National Numeracy Strategy in a practical, lively and relevant way.
·We use a variety of published schemes and computer software to extend and enrich children by presenting them with real situations and problems.
·We try to instil the belief that Mathematics is interesting and exciting as well as being a powerful tool for solving problems.
·There is a firm emphasis on developing strategies for using mental methods of calculation whenever possible. We expect children to learn their number bonds and tables and appreciate help from home with them. Back to top

Science

Science follows the National Curriculum guide-lines.
Children are given the chance to:
·foster a firm interest and pleasure in Science.
·have an appreciation of basic scientific concepts and logical processes.
·realise the importance of our environment and our place in the natural world.

Experiments and investigations are used to develop practical skills as a means of problem solving and to develop basic scientific knowledge. We encourage our pupils' natural creativity and tendency to ask questions. We make connections between household objects and the scientific principles on which they are based. Back to top

Information and communications technology - (I.C.T.)

The importance of I.C.T. in the modern classroom is recognised; each class having a multi-media computer, connected to the Internet.
We also have a new computer suite, installed at the beginning of 2003. Computers are used to support and enhance learning in all areas of the curriculum as well as cover the requirements of the National Curriculum. When children have learnt how to use the word processing and graphics facilities they are also used to record and present work independently. We aim to enable each pupil to use a computer independently as an aid to their work.

The machines in the computer suite may be used together to allow "hands on " experience for a large group, used by small groups or used independently by individuals. The school is in the process of updating its computer facilities with a network which will give pupils access to the full range of interactive learning resources. Back to top

Design Technology

Design Technology follows the National Curriculum guide-lines. The aim is to develop technological skills by encouraging a way of thinking that is related to solving problems in a practical systematic way and involves:
·designing and making things in three dimensions.
·using a variety of resources such as construction kits, wood, clay, paper-mache and other traditional or recycled materials.
the review and evaluation of work.

Most lessons take place in our Art and Technology room. During 2004 this will be completely refurbished, a project funded by The Friends. Back to top

History

·This involves gaining an understanding of the way people and their civilizations have developed over time, and some idea of the chronology of mankind.
·A variety of sources are used and the skills of research developed.
·The local area is studied to develop history study skills and awareness of our local heritage. Back to top

Geography

A scientific study of the surface of the earth and its inhabitants using atlases and globes leads to an understanding of the development of the earth. The features of the local area are used to develop map reading skills.

·The study of geography bridges the sciences and the humanities to increase awareness of political and cultural groupings and appreciate the common features of human society world-wide.
·Environmental studies are aided by realisation of man's impact on the earth so far. Back to top

Art

·Art, for most children, is a natural form of expression and a source of pleasure.
·We aim to increase confidence and competence in the use of different media such as pencil, charcoal, paint, collage, inks, textiles and clay.
·We teach the necessary skills for our children to develop their natural ability and to be expressive and creative in a variety of media.
·We aim to instil pride by achieving a high standard of finished work.
·We are proud of the art produced through the school and regard it as one of our strengths. Back to top

Music

This provides opportunities for children to express themselves. We have 2 music specialists who provide weekly lessons in our Music room for every class.
Our children have the opportunities and facilities to make music in a variety of ways:
·through using percussion instruments;
·through voice;
·through more specialised and conventional musical instruments; and
·through instruments they make themselves.

Listening to and learning to appreciate a variety of forms of music is encouraged.
We encourage children to have instrumental tuition through the Local Music Centre. Many children take external examinations in music with a high success rate. Children who learn an instrument are encouraged to learn to play together by joining the orchestra.

Often writing, music, art, drama and dance are linked thematically in presentations within classes or to other groups of children. Music clubs include recorder groups and the school choir. The choir and some instrumentalists take part in local music festivals. Back to top

Physical Education

·Physical Education takes place in the hall, on the playground or on the playing field and involves gymnastics, dance, swimming (at the Leatherhead Leisure Centre), outdoor adventurous activities ( such as orienteering) and games. We cover a variety of games: rounders, stoolball, cricket, badminton, hockey, football, rugby, netball, cross country running and track and field events. Please note that we do not cancel outdoor lessons just because it is a bit wet or cold. It is important that your children have clothing appropriate to the time of year to wear during these lessons.

We participate in many local sports competitions. We believe the children gain a great deal from working alongside others in team games and in competing against others, both in team and individual competition. We have a fine record of achievement in local competitions. Back to top

French

At present children in year six study French. The emphasis is on conversational skills. Back to top

Religious Education

Following on from Infant School work the pupil's understanding of the nature of God and Christianity is deepened, and an awareness of other faiths is formed through considering
·the Christian tradition;
·the language of religion; and
·other beliefs; their practices, artefacts and customs.

Pupils are helped to appreciate religion through exploring
·personal qualities and feelings;
·relationships and responsibilities;
·the nature of the world; and
·social, moral, and religious issues.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and the daily act of worship. Back to top

Special Needs

Some children have learning difficulties, others have outstanding abilities, both are areas of special educational need.
·We have a part-time Special Needs teacher who organises resources and programmes of work in conjunction with class teachers, and takes small groups of children.
·Where children display outstanding ability in an area of the curriculum we aim to provide them with the opportunity to develop that talent. We run 'more able' classes for children in years 4 to 6 who show great ability in English and Mathematics to allow the children to extend their skills in those subjects.
·Some children also have support in the classroom from Teaching Assistants.
·Some have help provided by the Local Authority, following assessment by the Educational Psychologist, whose advice can be sought when necessary.

In September 2004 a unit for children with Moderate Learning Difficulties will open at Oakfield. We are one of only 8 schools chosen by Surrey to host these facilities and it will add considerably to our ability to help children who find learning difficult. Back to top

Homework

Every child will have a Homework Diary. An adult, at home, needs to see it and sign it every week. In school diaries are checked by a Teaching Assistant every morning and written comments from parents passed onto the class teachers.

In Year 3 homework grows from learning spellings and tables each week and practising reading daily to a more structured setting of homework by the Summer Term, building to about 2 hours a week.

In Year 4 homework will be set for most evenings. Practice of spellings, tables and reading is expected to be ongoing in addition to set homework. Approximately 2-21/2 hours a week.

In Year 5 homework is set on a daily basis in addition to finishing work. Sometimes research skills are developed through weekend and holiday projects. Approximately 3 hours a week.

In Year 6 there is a high expectation of the children to discipline themselves to a homework time each evening. Approximately 4-5 hours a week.

At this age we do not want homework to make it difficult for pupils to enjoy involvement in out of school activities because they also have their part to play in each child's development. We try not to set homework at week ends, since we believe this time should be for families. Back to top

Assessment and Testing

There is an Annual Report to parents during the Spring Term. This is based on what children have achieved during the year.

Under the Education Reform Act National Curriculum Assessment Tests at 11 years of age were introduced in May 1995. Our year 6 pupils take these tests in their final term. We try to ensure that the children do not feel over burdened by these tests. As long as they do their best, that is good enough for us. This approach produces good results, the latest of which are at the end of this prospectus.

We use the QCA end of year tests in the summer term for years 3 to 5 and may test in other ways during the year.

Parents can gain access to their child's record on application to the Headteacher.
Documents relating to the National Curriculum, Literacy Strategy and Numeracy Strategy and the recent Education Acts are available to be seen in school on application to the Headteacher. Back to top

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