English
Reading and writing are central to the school day! The vast
majority of our
written work links to topic work, teachers creating meaningful
reasons,
motivations and audiences for writing. Each piece of written work is
carefully
scaffold-ed through using ‘success criteria’ to guide a child and then
marked
by highlighting real successes (‘pink for success’) and an area for
improvement (‘green for growth’). Alongside creative writing, children learn,
as appropriate, aspects of spelling, grammar, punctuation and phonics.
Children have Big Write every week, which is an independent
writing session
covering all genres.
All children read daily in school during guided reading.
During this time there
will be children reading silently, guided reading
groups, children reading
ebooks on kindles; one to one reading with an adult
and related group tasks.
We place a great emphasis on high quality literature
for children, and staff
pride themselves in keeping up with new titles.
The school places great emphasis on speaking and listening,
through
drama and with support from a speech therapist who is employed one day
a week by the school.
Maths
Mathematics is taught every day. We use the primary
framework for maths,
supplemented by the Abacus Scheme. Through playing games,
problem
solving, and practical investigations, maths is embedded throughout the
school.
Science
Science may be central to a topic or sit discreetly outside.
Children cover a
range of early physics (e.g. forces) chemistry (e.g reversible
and irreversible
change) and biology (e.g. growing plants) topics through
practical work,
observation and problem solving. We place great emphasis on
raising
questions, practical work and discussion to develop skills of
scientific enquiry.
ICT
As well as 3 computers in every classroom, we have wireless
laptops
which are used across the curriculum throughout the day .
RE
Our aim is that all pupils understand the nature of the
Christian religion
and acquire an understanding of the beliefs, practices and
strengths of all
faiths, particularly those represented in our school. We follow the London
Diocese Board for
School’s scheme of work.
We have assemblies every day, sometimes as a whole school,
sometimes
as a ‘Key Stage’, and sometimes as a class. This is a chance to come
together as a school community, to learn about different faiths and festivals,
to reflect on important ideas or to celebrate achievements. We cover all major
events in the Christian year in our assemblies, as well as key celebrations
for
other faiths.
We emphasize the aims and values of our school and seek to
promote
children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.