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Tynedale Square, Highwoods, CO4 9SN, UK Colchester +44 (0)1206 845887
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Highwoods Community
Vision and Aims
Vision
We value our children and believe they deserve to learn and achieve their full potential in a stimulating environment where they will thrive in this secure, happy and enjoyable school. Our school should be the key to a successful and fulfilling life.
Aims
- to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which develops the whole child
- to provide access to the curriculum for all levels of ability, based on a partnership between pupils, staff and parents
- to inspire enthusiastic and inquisitive children with an appetite for life long learning
- to develop confident, independent and articulate individuals with a strong sense of self fulfillment and high self esteem
- to ensure our children and staff enjoy full mental and physical health
- to enable children to take responsibility for their actions and decisions so that they will become responsible members of the community
- to enable children to develop spiritually and engender tolerance and respect for one another, the school environment and the wider community
- to ensure that a variety of reviewing and monitoring strategies are employed to enable reflective self evaluation and challenging target setting
- to respond positively to changes in the curriculum and the changing needs of the children
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The final stage of the children's primary education is Key Stage 2. The children start Key Stage 2 in the academic year in which they become eight years old and remain here until they are eleven years old. It is our aim, throughout this key stage to continue the progress they have made in Key Stage 1 and to develop the children's independence. The children cover a broad and balanced curriculum, which enables them to understand many interesting concepts in an enjoyable and stimulating way. We are also keen to emphasise that the children are encouraged to develop a wide range of skills to aid them in their educational development. |
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Design Technology involves practical activities which develop a range of skills. | |
Lessons gradually become more formalised ready for secondary school. Pupils are set by ability for mathematics throughout Key Stage 2 in order to help target support. The Key Stage 2 library is categorised using the 'DEWEY' system (as used in all libraries) and contains fiction and non-fiction. As part of our continuing emphasis on the enjoyment of reading and literacy skills all Key Stage 2 pupils have regular access to the library. Pupils who wish to learn an instrument have the opportunity to have lessons with visiting specialist teachers during the school day. |
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Throughout Key Stage 2 the children continue to bring home reading books as well as now having a more formal homework structure including spellings, literacy and numeracy work. As in Key Stage 1, parents are invited to attend a 'Meet the Teacher' session during the Autumn term. Parent's evenings are held during the spring term, mini reports are sent out at the Autumn and Spring half term and a full report is sent out at the end of the academic year. |
Teachers have a good understanding of the needs of young children and the learning is stimulating and exciting. Praise is used well to enhance the children's self esteem Ofsted 2002 |
As part of the National Curriculum the children begin swimming lessons during Years 3 and 4 and will visit Kentwell Hall as a focus of their Tudors topic. Dressing in authentic costume being all part of the fun. Children in these years can join recorder, textiles, netball and drama clubs. Other outside agencies (such as Colchester Utd) also provide football and sports clubs. Some children in these years are invited to join the athletics club and to represent the school at District Sports. |
Teachers have very high expectations of behaviour and learning Ofsted 2002 |
As part of their Personal Social and Health Education the children in Year 5 watch videos about maturing and discuss their changing bodies. Children in Year 5 have the opportunity to join the football, rounders and athletics clubs. The school runs a football team, which competes in our local league and a netball and rounders team, which compete in tournaments and friendlies. |
Good emphasis on the teaching of literacy and number Ofsted 2002 |
Eventually the children reach their final year in primary school - Year 6. We have established close links with the Gilberd School (our local comprehensive) which enables our children to engage in various activities with them as part of their preparation for their time at secondary school. The children also prepare for their end of year SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) and will watch a short Sex Education film and discuss issues arising. Parents are invited to watch this prior to their children's viewing. |
Year 6 children can also become 'prefects' The responsibilities of the prefects include
- answering the telephone at lunchtime
- looking after younger children at lunchtime
- showing visitors around the school
- helping on sportsday
- acting as role models for the younger children
They also have the opportunity to go on a residential trip; in 2002 the children spent a week in Somerset. |
As a culmination of their time at Highwoods, Year 6 pupils perform to their parents, enjoy an end of year party and devise and perform their own Leavers Assembly to the whole school. | |
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