Battle & Langton C.E. Primary School

Welcome to our school web site and thank you for logging on. We hope that the site will provide you with the information that you need to know more about what the school offers, who's who and events in the school calendar. 

Of course, the best way to get to know us is to visit us and see first hand our school in operation. If you would like to visit, please contact the school office. I look forward to seeing you,

R. M. Dyer (Headteacher)

These pages were last updated in Sept 2007

These are outlined in our mission statement:

Mission Statement

We aim to encourage children to grow with a knowledge of themselves, their families and their friends, to discover their place in God's world and to develop their abilities, talents and gifts in a way that reflect biblical teachings. 

Education

To support the delivery of the National Curriculum within the context of the Christian tradition.

To advance every child intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

To challenge everyone to achieve their full potential.

Ethos

To foster an ethos based on Christian principles and respect for other traditions. 

Class sizes and organisation

We strive to keep teaching groups as small as possible. At present, classes are organised into single age groups. Throughout the school we have at least two classes for each year group. The current regulations on maximum numbers in classes are 30 in infant classes and in single age Junior Year 3 and 4 classes, 35 in single age junior Year 5 and 6 classes. We obviously would like to see our numbers below the numbers mentioned. However, due to our popularity some of our classes are at maximum number. This term in the Infants we have two reception classes, two Year 1 classes, and two Year 2 classes. In the Juniors we have two Year 3 classes, two Year 4 classes, two Year 5 classes and two Year 6 classes.

The Foundation Stage – The Reception Class

We have two classes in our reception department occupying three class base areas and an activity area, and is staffed by two teachers, three teaching assistants, and supported by voluntary helpers. In the class areas numeracy, language and literacy activities take place and also enable children to experience role play, construction equipment, music and computer activities. Creative activities including Art and Design technology take place in the activity area.

Key Stage 1 – The Infant Department

This department is made up of pupils in Years 1 and 2. There are two Year 1 classes, and two Year 2 classes. These classes are located in the purpose built Infant extension to the main school building. The classrooms are spacious, and share two activity areas and the Infant library located in the communal area that links classrooms. Each class is taught by a teacher, who in turn is supported by a teaching assistant, and voluntary parent helpers. As far as possible, each class has a balance of children based on ability, gender and social compatibility. Both the Reception and Infant departments have allocated play areas, and are supervised throughout the day. During lunchtime, materials are provided for children to play with, such as skipping ropes, toys etc. There are also indoor activities such as Story Club and Colouring Club. Year 6 children also help with these clubs as part of their duties.

Key Stage 2 – The Junior Department

This department consists of pupils in Years 3,4,5 and 6. There are two Year 3 classes, two Year 4 classes, two Year 5 classes and two Year 6 classes. The two Year 3 classes are located in the main building in self contained classrooms with an integral art area, The Year 4 classes are also in the main building, sharing an art activity area. The Year 5 and 6 classrooms are in the temporary mobile classes across the playground. Each class is taught by a teacher, supported by a teaching assistant and voluntary parent helpers. As far as possible, each class has an even balance in numbers. At break times the children use the two junior playgrounds, where they can enjoy a variety of activities during the year at different times e.g. football, hockey and basketball.

Transfer To Secondary School

At the end of Year 6, the children transfer to secondary school. Our nearest school is Claverham Community College in Battle. However, others are available in Robertsbridge, Hastings and St. Leonard’s. Details will be available to parents during their child’s Year 6.  Our neighbouring authority of Kent offers the Grammar School system and parents seeking information on this will need to contact Kent County Council directly.

As part of our school policy and ethos, every child should wear the school uniform and P.E. and games kit. In coming to this school, it is automatically expected that parents will adhere to this policy. We reserve the right to forbid items of clothing, accessories and footwear that we deem to be dangerous in school to the individual or others. Under no circumstances are items of jewellery including bracelets, rings or earrings to be worn. Small studs only will be accepted. Watches are not encouraged as they can be lost, and each room has a clock.

School colours are red and grey. Sweat shirts and t-shirts with the school logo can be purchased in school from the school’s parents’ association (BALSA). See school office for opening hours. School clothes without the school logo which are sold in high street stores are acceptable, provided they are in the school colours.

In the foundation stage Reception class the children follow the Foundation Curriculum. Throughout the rest of the school Curriculum 2000, and the national literacy and Numeracy Strategies are taught. Literacy and Numeracy are delivered through daily lessons specific to these subjects. The remainder of the curriculum is mainly taught in the afternoons, however cross - curricular links are built where necessary. Each year group has its own programme of study to ensure continuity and progression. Each stage differs slightly in the way it delivers the curriculum.

The Foundation Stage – The Reception Class

At the foundation stage the children work toward developmental learning goals. These are divided into six areas: communication; language and literacy; numeracy; personal, social and emotional development; physical development; and knowledge and understanding of the world. Literacy and Numeracy are in line with the literacy and Numeracy strategies taught throughout school. All learning experiences are designed to meet the needs and development of the individual.

Key Stage 1 – Infant Department

Here the children begin to experience full length Literacy and Numeracy lessons. These mostly take place in the morning, and the rest of the curriculum takes up the rest of the day. There is a mixture of whole class, small group, and independent work taught during Literacy and Numeracy. Most lessons will end with a plenary session, recapping on what has been done. In this department much emphasis is placed on Literacy and Numeracy, in order to lay the foundations for later learning. Children also learn reading skills in the Literacy hour, and take home regular reading books. The children are taught to join letters from the onset of their writing experiences.

Geography, History and Science are taught through a topic e.g. “Ourselves”. This will link in other subjects of the curriculum where possible. Where this is not possible, the remaining curriculum subjects are taught independently of the topic.

Key Stage 2 – Junior Department

Similarly to KS1, most Literacy and Numeracy is taught in the morning, and the rest of the curriculum is taught during the remainder of the day.

Each subject is taught as a separate one, however cross-curricular links are made whenever possible. Science is timetabled weekly and History and Geography are termly topics. Among others, History topics include the Norman Invasion, Ancient Egypt, and Britain during the 1940s. Geography topics include a study of Battle, and World Geography in the wider context. Art, D.T., Music and I.T. are taught as separate subjects, but as aforementioned, links are made to other subjects where appropriate.

During year 2 and Year 6, the children sit the National Tests for 7 and 11 year olds. Below is a table of results from our last round of tests.

Key stage 1 – Pupils Reaching Level 2 or Above

Key Stage 2 – Pupils Reaching Level 4 or Above

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Religious Education is given to all pupils in accordance with the Local Education Authority’s Agreed Syllabus. The syllabus is Christian and non-denominational, but recognises other spiritual beliefs e.g. Judaism and Muslim.

A collective act of worship is held every day, either in departments in the hall or in class. Issues surrounding the number of children allowed in the hall at one time mean that we cannot meet as a whole school. We advocate the Church of England doctrine within our times of worship. The Dean of St. Mary’s Church in Battle leads the worship once a week, and children also visit the church at different times during the year.

If parents do not wish their child to take part, then the school should be notified as soon as possible. The policies on Collective Worship and Religious Education are available on request.

Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE)

Including Sex Education

PSHE is mainly concerned with preparing for life with others in society. It is relevant to all aspects of the curriculum, and taught through different subjects where appropriate. Each class has its own timetabled PSHE session when non-curricular aspects can be taught separately.

Sex education is an integral part of the PSHE syllabus, and is covered in general terms through other subjects e.g. science. Additionally, Upper Juniors are introduced to the subject of human sexuality and reproduction as part of the Science curriculum. The children are not allowed to be excused from any parts of the syllabus which form parts of the Science syllabus. However, they may be withdrawn from any non-curricular discussions or lessons about sex education.

A copy of the PSHE policy is available upon request from the school office.

P.E. and Sports

At Battle & Langton School, children have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy a wide range of activities. Each class has its own timetabled indoor and outdoor sessions. The activities vary, depending on the time of year. Indoor P.E. sessions consist of games, dance and gymnastics. Outdoor games consist of individual, one to one and small group activities in the infants, and in the Juniors they experience a wide variety of sports, building on the skills taught. The Junior playground has a marked netball court, and there are various pitches marked seasonally, including the athletics track. The school has two Junior playgrounds which provide plenty of space to practise skills, especially in the winter months when the field may not be used due to bad weather.

There are various school teams, including football, rugby, netball, cricket and table tennis (all mixed teams of course). The teams practise either during lunchtimes or after school. They take place in tournaments after school and at weekends, and also inter-house tournaments during school time. Parents are asked to help with transportation of pupils to venues.

 The Arts

At Battle & Langton School, children have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy a variety of artistic experiences. There are weekly art, music and dance lessons (Dance being taught as part of the P.E. curriculum), The art of other cultures is taught at various times throughout the year. For example, Infants learn about Caribbean art through Geography, and the Junior children learn about Jewish customs and artefacts through R.E.

Many musical instruments are taught at Battle & Langton. These are the cello, guitar, keyboard, recorder, trumpet and violin. Lessons take place at various times inside and outside school hours, and any non-curriculum music teaching is usually undertaken by specialist music teachers.

There are many visitors to the school, such as percussionists, theatre workshop groups and local craftsmen.

Information and Communication Technology

ICT and the use of computers is taught right through school, from Reception upwards. Each class is timetabled for one session a week in our newly built ICT suite, where the ICT curriculum is delivered. In addition to this, each class has its own computer which children use to support their learning in other curriculum areas. completing activities which involve, inputting and handling data, word processing, monitoring and control, concept development games, finding information on the internet, and sending and receiving information. Each year group has a digital camera, for recording special events such as class trips, theme days and lessons like PE and games. The pictures taken are often used in displays around the school and on our website as a way of displaying the children's achievements. Each class has a Smartboard, the introduction of these has added a new lease of life to our curriculum and has enable teachers to use a wider range of resources in every subject.