Curriculum
The core subjects which all primary children study are:-
English
Mathematics
Science
Information Technology
Religious Education
The six non-core subjects which all primary children study are:-
Design Technology
Geography
History
Art
Music
Physical Education
Modern Foreign
The Years 5 & 6 children also study French Language.
The School Governors have approved the School's Statement of Aims and Schemes of Work. These, as well as copies of our National Curriculum programmes of study are available in school if parents wish to see them. For each subject there is a set of attainment targets or objectives.
Parents have access to documents and information concerning all aspects of their children's education and will receive an annual report on their child's progress, together with levels of Teacher Assessments and Standard Assessment Tests at the end of each Key Stage.
LITERACY
Children follow the National Literacy Strategy through a daily Literacy Hours.
Language skills are vital to all aspects of learning. We aim to develop children's confidence and enjoyment with reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in a structured and stimulating language programme. This includes spelling, punctuation, neat fluent handwriting, syntax, drama, poetry, creative story writing, letter writing, factual accounts of activities such as school journeys and conclusions from scientific investigations.
NUMERACY
Children follow the National Numeracy Strategy during a daily dedicated maths lesson.
Children are encouraged to develop confidence, competence and enjoyment with mathematical skills and concepts. We use a nationally recognised Mathematics scheme which progresses throughout the school in addition to a variety of apparatus including calculators and computers. Children are encouraged to use problem solving and investigative skills and we have maths games, videos and various ways in which the children are taught times tables.
SCIENCE
Children are encouraged to use logic, predict, pose questions, form theories and draw conclusions to build their scientific understanding of themselves and their world. They are encouraged to explore, investigate, collect and interpret information, which includes biological, chemical and physical aspects of science. Scientific themes include: - Ourselves and Healthy Living, Other Animals and Plants, Materials and their Properties and The Planet Earth.
DRUGS EDUCATION
This subject is addressed in both PSHCE and Science. The lessons explore the idea that all medicines are drugs but not all drugs are medicines. We try to help children live safely in a world of drugs. A Police Officer, specifically trained in this type of work, contributes to the Year 6 programme
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
All children have the opportunity to use computers as a tool for learning across many areas of the curriculum. They gain confidence and develop word processing skills, problem solving, strategies and the ability to handle information and to control mechanical or electronic devices. We have fully networked ICT and every child has his/her own ‘My Work’ folder that can be accessed from any of the schools laptop computers. We are linked to the Internet, which will increasingly feature in the children’s learning as a
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The school follows the North Yorkshire agreed syllabus for Religious Education and national guidelines. We aim to help pupils to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other world religions and the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities, societies and cultures.
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP
As a Church of England Controlled School we have close links with the Church. We aim to provide a caring Christian environment, which will foster the children’s moral and spiritual development by giving them opportunities for them to explore the meaning and purpose of life, human nature and religious beliefs as well as the beliefs, and values, which underpin school and community life. We have a statutory duty to inform parents of their option to withdraw children from collective worship in school, but since we are a Church of England Primary School, we do hope that this will not be necessary.
MUSIC
Through a carefully structured progressive framework our aim is to ensure that all children have opportunities to enjoy, to create, to perform and to respond positively to music. All children are introduced to the theory of music and have the experience of playing pitched and unpitched percussion instruments. Many children learn to play the recorder in school. Instrumental lessons are available for parents to purchase in school through the County Music Services to our junior children on: - violin, flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar and trumpet. All children are taught singing and we usually perform two school concerts or musical dramatic productions each year.
SEX/HEALTH EDUCATION
Sex/health education is an integral part of our studies of plants, animals and humans and as part of our cross curricular topics it will be set in the context of Christian family life and care.
Children's questions are answered frankly with due regard to the child's maturity and understanding. Year 6 children also have an annual talk and slides from our school
nurse/health visitor, based on puberty and growing up.
Parents have a right to withdraw children from sex education lessons but the governors have agreed that children should receive correct information within the context of their normal studies. We will inform you when such units of work are taking place and parents may see any resources beforehand.
ART
Children are given opportunities to develop aesthetic judgments by looking at the work of artists both past and present in different cultures and in different times. As often as possible we take the children out to see artists work. We also have visiting artists in school. Children experience working with a variety of materials, which include paint, pastels, charcoal, marbling inks, clay, collage etc., and explore both 2D and 3D activities. Through building on their own experiences children develop their knowledge and understanding of art techniques.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Our physical education programme includes swimming, creative movement, dance, drama, gymnastics and games. Our aim is to develop enjoyment, co-ordination, creativity and
co-operative skills through gamesmanship. We are able to use the village green for football, tennis, rounders, kwik cricket and badminton. We often have football and netball matches with other schools.
Children need to change into PE kit for each lesson. Children have weekly swimming lessons at either the Knaresborough or Ripon Pool, depending upon which particular swimming skills they are developing.
HOMEWORK
Children are given homework with the approval and co-operation of parents. Both the infant and junior children are encouraged to take home their reading books and library books to read with and to discuss with parents. Every effort is made to present children with clean, attractive materials. Please assist us by ensuring all books are kept in the book wallets or book bags when not in use or during the journey to and from school.
The school's homework policy is in line with government recommendations and is available to parents on request. Recommended times to be spent on homework range from fifteen minutes per evening for Reception children to about forty minutes for Year 6 pupils. Regular spelling tests, times tables check ups, mental arithmetic and comprehension exercises help older children to organise their time for completing homework before their transfer to secondary school.
TRANSFER TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
Most children transfer from this school to Boroughbridge High School, St Aidan's Church of England High School or Ripon Grammar School. The transfer is usually very smooth since there is close co-operation and visits between the staffs of the schools who exchange relevant information and meet the children before transfer. In addition to this, the children generally spend two days in their new school during the term preceding their transfer. Parents may wish for their child to transfer to other schools. Details of these may be available from the Headteacher.
EDUCATIONAL VISITS/JOURNEYS CHARGING POLICY
We take children on regular educational visits to extend their studies and to give first hand experience. These are usually day visits, but on occasions we take older children on residential visits for periods of up to five days. Any school visits are preceded by a risk assessment.
In accordance with County Council Policy the Governors have agreed that the Headteacher may request voluntary contributions from parents in connection with any activity including educational visits taking place with children either within or outside school hours. This may also be subsidised by school fund, grants, FORCES or kind donations from the local community). If a child’s family is unable to make a contribution he/she will not be excluded from the visit, but if the total monies received are insufficient, the visit may be cancelled. In the case of a family being in receipt of Income Support or similar benefit, the charge is waived. This situation is dealt with discreetly.
Weekly contributions are requested for swimming tuition fees and transport to Knaresborough Pool, and a voluntary contribution is requested towards the cost of the ingredients for baking.
From time to time, depending on the distance and number of children involved, we ask for parent’s help with transporting children. We are very grateful for this support and some activities could not go ahead without this goodwill. However for your own protection, please check your car insurance policy covers you for the occasional transportation of other people’s children. If you are unsure, your broker should be able to advise you further.