English l Reading l Writing l Speaking & Listening l Mathematics l Science l ICT l Religous Education l Sporting Aims l PE l Music l History & Geography l Art & Design l Homework
The school governing body has approved the LA Curriculum Policy and adopted it as their statement of curriculum aims for the School. A copy of this document is available for viewing at school.
We are committed to providing high quality education for all our children. We believe that education is about the development of the whole child and we regard childhood as a very special time: to be enjoyed and valued for itself, not just as a preparation for adult life.
We seek to provide a secure and happy environment where children can develop confidence and achieve independence and maturity. Attitudes of tolerance and regard for others within the school community and beyond are fostered.
Learning programmes are devised which take account of the range of ability within teaching groups. Children with any learning difficulties receive additional help. A broad and balanced curriculum, encompassing the National Curriculum requirements, builds on children’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and living. Mastery of the basic skills enables children to become independent learners. As each child gains knowledge and understanding, his or her progress is carefully monitored. The staff work closely to ensure curriculum continuity and coherence for each child as he or she progresses through the school. Teaching techniques use a variety of strategies including whole class, group and individual teaching. These are planned to meet the perceived needs at the time.
Children follow the National Curriculum and work through topics which encompass the whole range of subjects. Additional subject based work supplements this. The National Curriculum core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) and Religious Education were implemented in September 1989. Technology was implemented in September 1990.
So that the children receive a broad and rich curriculum they are also taught History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education.
English
At this school we all believe that a good foundation in literacy skills is most important.
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Reading
Children follow the phonics programme ‘Letters and Sounds’ in Reception and Key Stage 1, where they learn letter sounds and how to blend and segment them for reading and spelling. Children begin reading with phonics reading books ‘Floppy Phonics’ and ‘Songbirds’. When appropriate they move onto the ‘Oxford Reading Tree books’. We also use the Cambridge scheme to supplement this scheme when children require greater breadth of reading experience. Children are encouraged and supported to develop a love of books and reading, and they read fiction, non-fiction and poetry books.
Children are taught reading skills through guided reading groups. Parents’ help in hearing their child read at home is greatly valued – parents are seen as playing a vital role in helping their children learn to read.
Our library provides additional reading experience for all the pupils and opportunities for using reference books to aid independent learning. Children are encouraged to take books home from the library to share and enjoy.
Shared reading experience is an important element of our approach. We aim to involve parents in children’s reading.
Writing
When children join Reception they are encouraged to mark make using a variety of materials such as pens, pencils, chalking on the playground, using their fingers in gloop or shaving foam, water with paintbrushes, whiteboard pens etc. Children are taught to write letter shapes and to hear sounds in words. Children begin writing phonetically, and as they move up the school they are taught further spelling rules to support them. Children learn correct letter formation from the outset. Later a joined script is taught. Children are encouraged to write for a variety of purposes and in a variety of forms, e.g. diary, letter, poem, story, account.
Speaking and Listening
Speaking and listening skills are given a high priority in school. Children are encouraged to express themselves clearly using an appropriate and wide vocabulary. The children are also encouraged to think about how to use language well in a wide variety of activities, eg in discussion or science. We develop the children’s listening skills through a wide variety of activities including story, music and other quiet times.
Drama, another element of the language curriculum, affords opportunities for speaking and listening in a creative context. Imaginative play corners, eg shop, post office, stable, offer valuable role playing experiences.
September 1998 saw the very successful introduction of the Literacy Hour into our curriculum, with the children enjoying a variety of story telling, sharing big books, poetry and plays.
Mathematics
Mathematics provides a way of viewing and making sense of the world. It
is used to analyse and communicate information and ideas and to tackle a
range of practical tasks and real life problems. Mathematics is not
only taught because it is useful, it should also be a source of delight and
wonder. It should offer pupils intellectual excitement and an appreciation
of its essential creativity.
The Heinemann maths scheme is used by teachers to support children’s
learning in maths. A variety of approaches are employed which include
number games and a wide variety of practical activities. These develop
children’s concepts of number, algebra, measures and shape and space
and enable them to process data effectively. Children should achieve
competence in using and applying mathematics, giving them the confidence
to meet new challenges.
The Numeracy Strategy was fully implemented within the school in Autumn
1999. This daily maths lesson includes time spent on recalling mental
number facts, direct teaching and tasks.
Science
The abilities to communicate, to relate science to everyday life and to explore are essential elements of a developing experienceof science. All children gain a wide experience of scientific processes and skills, including observing, questioning, fair testing, investigating, interpreting, communicating and recording.
The programmes of study prescribed by the National Curriculum were implemented
in September 1990. They enable children to develop design and technology
capability by exploring familiar situations and by using familiar things
as starting points for activities.
Within the general requirements of design and technology, the older children
engage in activities which encourage the appraisal of man-made artefacts,
systems and environments and encourage the application of enterprise and
initiative.
ICT
Computers are integrated throughout the curriculum. Children become familiar with the computer keyboard and develop confidence and satisfaction in the use of information technology. In September 2007, our new ICT suite was opened to complement our 15 laptop computers. In addition, all the classrooms have PCs and all computers are linked to the School Network and Internet. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard through which digital rich lessons are delivered. All children have an ICT lessons, as well as using technology throughout the whole of the curriculum.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
An act of collective worship occurs daily, either as a whole school assembly or within the classrooms. All pupils participate unless parents request their child is withdrawn. They are broadly Christian in character and we include visitors whenever possible.
Religious Education is given in accordance with the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus. The
children are made aware of the existence of other faiths and their festivals.
Parents wishing to withdraw their children from Religious Education or from
the devotional part of our assemblies are invited to discuss the matter with
Mr Chambers.
Statement on the School’s Sporting Aims
and Provision of Sport
All children are encouraged to participate in all physical activities. We
make full use of the indoor facilities and field when the weather permits. The
younger children are taught the basic skills, such as controlling a ball
with their feet, catching, throwing, using a bat to hit a ball. The
older children are taught to play football, kwik cricket, netball, basketball,
rugby, hockey and short tennis in their PE lessons. As the school grows
children will have the opportunity to form teams to play other schools and
to participate in external sporting activities.
The children also receive additional coaching at some point during the year
from coaches from local football clubs and Norfolk County Cricket Club. We
also provide team sports, such as football, as an option in our clubs.
PE
The aim of Physical Education is to develop systematically physical competence so that children are able to move efficiently, effectively and safely and understand what they are doing. The outcome – physical literacy – is as important to children’s education and development as numeracy and literacy.
Scarning Primary is committed to ensuring that every child spends at least 2 hours a week on high quality physical education and school sport, within and beyond the curriculum. We make optimum use of the School sport Partnership to support the work of PE, School Sport and Club Links.
A range of lunchtime and after school sporting clubs confirms our commitment to sport and make us an accredited Healthy Norfolk School. Several of our staff still enjoy competitive sport and several others talk a good game!
Children in Year 3 and Year 4 swim at the Dereham Leisure Centre on a half Termly rota.
Music
All children from Year 2 onwards are able to learn to play the recorder if they wish.
We can make arrangements for external music tutors to visit to
teach other instruments. We have 2 teachers come in weekly to teach private lessons. Parents are asked to discuss this with the
office. A charge will have to be made for these lessons.
History and Geography
We think that it is important for our children to have an appreciation of what has gone before. We encourage them to develop an awareness of their own history, local history and history associated with a far away place (eg The Egyptians). We aim to bring history to life by pictures, visits and artefacts.
Like History, Geography is usually taught within the framework of a topic. Physical
geography and map reading play an important part of any study of the immediate
environment.
Art and Design
A wide variety of art and crafts are taught, including drawing,
painting, collage, printing, clay work, sewing and weaving. We consider that
the development of aesthetic awareness is very important. Children
have opportunities to appreciate the work of artists and craftsmen and to
appreciate beauty in architecture and in the natural environment.
Homework
Homework is an important aspect of your child’s education
at Scarning. We believe that homework provides:
- an opportunity for parents to take an active part in their children’s learning
- shows the children that learning is an activity that takes place both outside and inside the classroom
- encourages good learning habits, helping children take responsibilityfor their own learning
- gives the children an opportunity to continue or complete work started in school
- throughout the school there is an expectation that all the children will take their reading book home regularly and from Year 1 onwards children will have spellings to learn. Other homework will include a weekly literacy, numeracy and science task.
