Curriculum
OUR CURRICULUM
‘Pupils’ personal development and well-being are outstanding. The good quality curriculum not only provides pupils with a rich learning experience but also makes excellent provision for pupils’ personal development. The very high level of attendance reflects pupils’ immense enjoyment of school. This is apparent in any discussion with pupils, when they are keen to talk about how much they love learning’.
OFSTED MAY 2009
Early Years Foundation Stage
As children start school our aim is to provide an atmosphere where they will soon feel confident, valued and secure. The infant classroom provides a stimulating and well resourced learning environment, where children participate in activities which develop their intellectual, physical, social and emotional abilities. We are committed to supporting the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (0-5 years) which is based around three prime areas of learning which include: communication and language; physical development; personal, social and emotional development, and four specific areas of learning which include literacy; mathematics; understanding the world; and expressive arts and design. These areas of learning link directly into the primary curriculum and provide an excellent foundation and smooth transition into Year One.
National Curriculum
In Year one the children are introduced to the National Curriculum which consists of twelve subjects that incorporate essential skills for learning and life: Literacy, Numeracy, Science, ICT (Information Communication Technology) D&T (Design & Technology), RE (Religious Education), History, Geography, Art, Music, PE (Physical Education), PSHE (Personal, Social, Health & Economic education). From Year Three children begin learning French as a Modern Foreign Language.
Topics
The curriculum is organised around a three year rolling programme of ‘Topics’ or ‘Common Themes’ for which History, Geography, D&T and Art form the basis. Science, ICT, RE, French, and Music are taught as discrete subjects and incorporated in a cross curricular way where possible. Literacy, which encompasses Reading, Writing, Handwriting, and Spelling, and Numeracy are mainly taught in the morning across the school.
Religious Education
We follow the Somerset Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education entitled, ‘Awareness, Mystery and Value’. This area of learning develops children’s knowledge and understanding of the nature of religion and belief. Although Christianity has a central place in the RE curriculum we also study other principal religions, religious traditions and world views, in the context of a diverse society.
The school gathers for an assembly for fifteen minutes every day. We also hold our Harvest Festival, Christmas Service, Easter Celebration and Leaver’s Services in the local Church each year. The local clergy take regular assemblies.
Assessment
We assess all areas of the curriculum according to Age Related Expectations and progress is recorded on an ongoing basis and a record kept in each child’s Personal Portfolio. From Year Two children are formally assessed three times a year and their progress is recorded. If a child is not making the expected progress a programme of support is put into place to address their individual needs. Targets are regularly set for Literacy and Numeracy to ensure that children are continuously making progress.
Extra Curricular Activities
This is an important part of school life and enables the children to take part in activities that may not be possible to offer in the school day. We run clubs every night after school that open to children of all ages. The range of the clubs changes across the year. Currently they are: football, art, choir, netball, cookery, junior engineering, and multi-skills.
Pupil Voice
We really value the opinion of the children who are involved in decisions about the day to day running of the school and also long-term developments. They are able to contribute through elected members of the School Council, for example, they decide about how to raise funds for charity and contributed to the design of our new outdoor learning environment.
Homework
Children in Class One and Two take home their reading book every night and should read with parents as often as possible. Children will also be asked to learn spelling lists and times tables. As they progress through the school homework may increase and Year Six children are expected to complete independent projects. Support by parents at home can make a significant difference to a child’s progress.
In Conclusion
As a small village school we are able to promote a safe, happy caring family atmosphere whilst delivering high academic standards. We have high expectations of the children and set high standards in all areas of the curriculum and school life. We expect our children to grasp every opportunity, to achieve their very best in all areas, and we hope that they will always remember their school days at Ubley with the greatest of pleasure.
