Junior School Curriculum
St George’s Junior School bases its curriculum on the Scottish Executive Education Department’s 5-14 Guidelines. The task of education is to satisfy the needs of the individual and society and to promote the development of knowledge and understanding, practical skills, attitudes and values. School experience between the ages of 5 and 14 should help each pupil to acquire and develop the following:-
- Knowledge, skills and understanding in literacy and communication, numeracy and mathematical thinking;
- Understanding and appreciation of themselves and other people and of the world about them;
- The capacity to make creative and practical use of a variety of media to express feelings and ideas;
- Knowledge and understanding of religion and its role in shaping society and the development of personal and social values;
- The capacity for independent thought through enquiry, problem solving, information handling and reasoning;
- Appreciation of the benefits of healthy living and physical fitness;
- Positive attitudes to learning and personal fulfilment through the achievement of personal objectives.
Using these Guidelines as a framework, we offer a broad and balanced curriculum, which is appropriate to our students and our environment.
Areas of the Curriculum
English Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Subjects, ICT, Religious and Moral Education, Health Education, Personal and Social Education, Modern Languages, Expressive Arts
Group Work allows for differentiated learning, so that children progress at their own pace and are constantly challenged to achieve more.
Project Based Investigative Work develops research skills, and problem solving encourages an independent approach to learning.
Homework is given from an early stage. Perhaps there will be a little daily reading or writing practice in Primary 1, gradually extending to about 30 minutes of reading and written work in Primary 5. Homework is essential in developing good work habits, and in strengthening the link between home and school.
Support for Learning is available to help support the most able as well as those with specific learning difficulties, either by providing individual help, through group work or by working with the class teacher to devise support to extend a programme of work.
Links with other parts of school are developed at all stages. The younger primary years work closely with the Early Years and older primary students visit the Lower School. Students from the Upper School frequently visit the Junior School, through work experience opportunities or as part of whole school activities and projects.
English Language
Language is at the heart of children’s learning and underpins all other areas of the curriculum. Language is taught through four strands: listening, talking, reading and writing.
Talking and listening skills are developed as children are encouraged to listen and to talk both individually and in groups. They listen to gain information, to understand what they have heard, and to respond to speakers and texts. The girls are encouraged to convey information orally and to talk about experiences, opinions and feelings, showing an awareness of audience and purpose.
Reading is taught through phonics and the blending of sounds. Our aim is to enable the children to read fluently, with accuracy, expression and understanding, both for enjoyment and information. The students are taught to write personally, functionally and imaginatively from an early age and as the girls progress through the Junior School, attention is given to punctuation, spelling, handwriting and presentation.
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Mathematics
In Mathematics, girls are provided with a happy and encouraging atmosphere in which they acquire skills in number, money, measurement and learn about two and three dimensional shapes and symmetry. Throughout the primary years there is a strong emphasis on developing awareness of the number system and on mental calculation skills.
As much of the work in Primary 1, 2 and 3 is cross-curricular, some of our mathematics activities are incorporated into projects: for instance, collecting information and displaying it as a pictogram or bar graph. Problem solving is an integral part of Mathematics throughout the Junior School as well as being a specific area of Mathematics in which the girls work individually or collectively.
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Science and Social Subjects
The girls are given the opportunity to participate in and learn from a full range of experiences. The curriculum in science and social subjects brings together the main ways in which students learn about the world. It involves finding out about the social and physical conditions which influence, or have influenced, the lives of individuals and communities and which shape, or have been shaped by the actions, artefacts and institutions of successive generations. It provides for the study of society now, and at different times and in different places.
To enhance these areas of the curriculum the girls go on various educational outings within Edinburgh and beyond.
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Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
The Junior School is fully networked and girls have access from their classroom machine to both school based resources and the internet. In addition, they have regular use of our state of the art Information Centre, equipped with 12 multimedia workstations and an interactive whiteboard.
Girls have input in ICT from both their class teacher and a specialist teacher, developing a wide range of skills which are used to enhance their work across the curriculum. In particular, the combination of collaborative and independent learning encourages them to aim for high standards in research and investigation and in oral and written presentation.
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Religious and Moral Education
The girls study topics such as Homes and Families, Day and Night and People who Help us. They learn about Christianity, other world religions, and develop self awareness and consideration for others.
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Health Education
Three broad themes are studied:
- Looking after oneself
- Relationships
- Health and safety in the environment
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Personal and Social Education (PSE)
The aims of Personal and Social Education involve self-awareness, regard for the needs of others and values in society. The girls are encouraged to develop an increasing responsibility for their own lives, and to work independently as well as participating effectively in a group.
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Modern Languages
All girls in the Junior School are introduced to French as part of a language awareness programme. Activities are undertaken by a specialist French teacher and the class teacher. Regular visits from one of the school’s French Assistants contribute to enriching the teaching and learning experience. Most activities are oral, encouraging girls to develop confidence in everyday expressions. Girls and staff have the opportunity to work with the other Modern Language Assistants and Teachers through clubs and activities.
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Expressive Arts: Drama, Art and Design, Physical Education and Music
The teaching of Expressive Arts in the Junior School is shared among class teachers and specialist staff.
Drama
Drama activities take place in the classroom or the Junior School Hall as part of cross curricular topics, or as a performance in a class assembly. Drama provides many opportunities for collaborative group work in which children can explore attitudes, values and behaviour in a secure and supportive environment.
Art & Design
Art and Design always plays an important part in classroom work from Primary 1 to Primary 4, and is often integrated into a topic. Children extend their skills in drawing, painting, modelling and construction, using a variety of media and techniques. These skills are built on when girls in Primary 5 begin to work with specialist staff. They are encouraged to be aware of the visual environment and their relationship to it. They learn to consider, select and organise materials and media, and develop their knowledge of techniques, processes and skills, as well as learning to appreciate an understanding of Fine Art, through classroom based work and gallery visits.
Physical Education
The Physical Education curriculum in the Junior School consists of a balanced and diverse programme of activities. A stimulating and challenging environment is created, in which girls can enjoy learning a range of physical skills. Further important aims are the development of confidence, interpersonal skills and creativity, and the establishment of a positive attitude to fitness and an active, healthy life-style. The programme consists of three lessons per week for all girls in Primary 1 to Primary 5, given by specialist staff. Activities include gymnastics, dance, athletics, games and swimming.
From Primary 1-3 most classes are held in the Junior School Hall. Girls in Primary 4-5 make use of the Sports Hall and playing fields, including the all weather pitch. The Physical Education Department is equipped with specialised games equipment to facilitate the playing of 'mini' and modified games. This ensures appropriate task-setting and maximum participation, achievement and enjoyment for all girls.
Music
The Aims of Music in the Junior School are Listening, Performing and Inventing.
Positive musical activities in class carry over into our full programme of extra-curricular activities in which all girls are encouraged to participate. From Primary 1 onwards the girls enjoy working with specialist music teachers in the splendid Robertson Music Centre.
Primary 1 has a weekly session of music and movement.
Primary 2 and 3 attend weekly sessions exploring percussion and voice activities. They may also join a recorder group or receive string tuition.
Primary 4 learn to play the recorder in class, and at this stage may also opt for individual instrumental tuition, which can lead to participation in a variety of ensembles.
Primary 5 explore inventing extensively in addition to choral work. Choir, Ceilidh Band, String Groups, Recorder Group and individual lessons are all available. |