Curriculum
In October 1988 the Secretary of State for Scotland announced a major Development Programme for pupils aged 5-14 in Scottish schools. The programme covers all areas of the curriculum and assessment at these stages.
The aims of the Programme are:
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to give clear guidelines on what children should be learning
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to improve assessment of children's progress
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to give parents better information about the curriculum and about their children's performance
Teachers have been advised on the various subjects of the curriculum and on the time to be spent on each. In each subject a series of "attainment targets" have been identified for children to work through. These attainment targets are grouped on five levels from 'A' through to 'E'.
Level A - should be attainable in the course of P1 - 3 by almost all pupils
Level B - should be attainable by some pupils in P3 or even earlier, but certainly by most in P4
Level C - should be attainable in the course of P4 - 6 by most pupils
Level D - should be attainable by some pupils in P5 - 6 or even earlier, but certainly by most in P7
Level E - should be attainable by some pupils in P7 / S1, but certainly by most by the end of S2
It is important to remember that some children progress more quickly than others.
Aims
At Lauder Primary School we provide opportunities for all pupils to become successful, confident and responsible individuals in society.
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To provide a broad, progressive and balanced curriculum for every child in partnership with parents, carers and the wider community
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To ensure that, through effective assessment procedures, all pupils are encouraged to reach and maintain their highest level of attainment and achievement
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To provide quality learning experiences for all pupils through a range of teaching styles which will enable them to become actively involved in their learning
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To provide a caring and supportive learning environment where the emotional, physical, social and educational needs of every child are considered in order that they achieve maximum individual potential
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To provide a welcoming, happy, healthy and safe learning environment through a positive approach in partnership with pupils, parents, carers, staff and the wider community
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To provide a range of appropriate resources to meet the needs of staff and pupils in all areas of the curriculum
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To promote a team approach to ensure the effective management of the school through good leadership, where the views of all pupils, parents, carers and staff are valued
Homework
Homework is given to pupils to consolidate work done in class or to prepare work for the following day.
This is an opportunity for parents to observe methods of work, the range of work being covered and some of the text books being used in school.
Parents can help by providing a suitable place of work, discussing the homework with their child and signing the written homework if this is requested by the teacher.
Reading in the early stages
As parents, you have an important role to play when your child brings home a reading book from school. It is helpful to set aside some time when you are able to devote your attention to helping your child to read. Boost his/her confidence with constant praise for even the smallest achievement. Don't be concerned if at first your child cannot read every word. Reading should be as stress free as possible for both the parent and the child!
More guidance will be given at the 'Meet the Teacher' evenings at school.
Further up the school and once reading is well under way children will be given set texts to read up and prepare.
Other tasks may be given at other times. These might be in the form of Maths, Spelling or researching a particular topic.
Assessment
Assessment is the means of obtaining information which allows teachers, pupils and parents to make professional judgements about pupils' progress. The starting point for this is the curriculum and the process of learning and teaching. Although assessment has many facets, its essence is determining what a pupil is actually achieving in relation to expectations of attainment and drawing conclusions from that comparison.
Effective communication between home and school is now widely regarded as a pre-requisite for good education. Reports on pupil progress are an important form of communication between home and school. At Lauder we firmly believe in the importance of good home/school communication. To foster this we meet with parents the following ways throughout the school session:
After School
Lauder 'After School Care Club' opened in August 1998. A group of working parents whose children attended Lauder Primary School at the time planned and developed the club.
The club is managed by a committee of parents.
The Headteacher and all the staff, support and assist the club. One of the club's benefits is that children do not have to leave the school premises to attend.
The club runs every school day in the school hall from 2.45pm-6.00pm and places should be booked in advance. Parents wishing to do so should contact the A.S.C. Co-ordinator on 07967 859 226.
It is staffed by a co-ordinator and play leader allowing up to 16 pupils to attend. The service is flexible and the childcare provided can be full-time, part-time or occasional depending on families' needs. The club is open to any child from Primary 1 - Primary 7.
As well as a variety of indoor activities and games, the club is able to make use of the school play ground (weather permitting!), and can also access the public park for more adventurous play.
Over the years, the club has organised various fund-raising events to allow the continued up-dating and extension of equipment and resources. The events have included a jumble sale, family ceilidh (shared with the P.T.A.), a sponsored walk, Christmas hamper raffle and a potted plant stall at a P.T.A. event. The main focus of the fund raising events has always been to allow the children attending the club to be involved in the planning and organising of each event.
Further details about the 'After School Club' are available from:
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