WELCOME!!!

This school aims to promote an enviroment where pupils feel respected, safe and happy and their
individuality is as valued as their membership of the community. To achieve this we:

Provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum;

Promote self discipline and develop high self-esteem so that each child can show respect to
everyone in school with their words and actions;

Develop tolerance and respect towards all members of the school community regardless of
beliefs, culture, race, gender and disability;

Encourage the ability to think and work independently and to co-operate and collaborate with
others;

Encourage the enjoyment of learning;

Set high standards, celebrate achievement and reward success;

Extend the ability to communicate clearly and confidently ina variety on contexts;

Help children acquire the skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge to make sense of
their world in the past, present and future;

Provide equal opportunities for all, to participate and develope their potential;

Encourage children to accept responsibility for their actions.

We take the curriculum to mean all the direct experiences that children undertake or are exposed to within the school community. It includes the formal programme of lessons, out of school activities and climate of relationships, attitudes, styles of behaviour and quality of life DELIBERATELY established.

Quality education depends on promoting an enviroment where pupils are focused on their learning, feel happy, safe and respected. Their individuality should be as important as their membership of the team. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, to be confident risk takers and develop expectations of their own abilities. They need to have the opportunities to assess their own achievements and celebrate that of others. An atmosphere of mutual respect between children and adults in school will provide a base for the educational and social development of our pupils.

- The school is organised in 4 year groups that cover Key Stage 2. Classes are taught by a class teacher. Where it is possible teachers with specialist knowledge may teach more than one class.

- Regular and punctual attendance at school is essential. There can never be a substitute for your child being in school, in class, in a lesson.

- The National Curriculum requires the school to teach the core subjects English, Mathematics, Science, Information Technology and R.E. and the foundation subjects Art, Geography, History, Music, Physical Education and Design and Technology.

- A daily structured lesson in Literacy and Numeracy develops the themes identified in the DFES framework. Together these form 50% of the taught curriculum and rightly cover the full range of skills pupils need to be confident and successful in their own abilities and to reach the targets set by the Government. In Literacy pupils study a variety of text and work on spelling, handwriting, reading and writing.

- The Science programmes of study cover topics such as Forces, Materials, Plants & Animals and experimental work. At the end of Key Stage 2 children are tested in their knowledge and understanding of these topics.

- The Millennium Room, housing a 16 computer network, enables pupils to access the full requirement of the Information Technology curriculum. Children have an hours lesson per week with access to a wide range of primary computer software with an additional hour per week to develop ICT skills across the curriculum.

- The foundation subjects generally have equal weight and over the key stage cover a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding which contribute to a broad and balanced education. More time is allocated to the teaching of PE as we are fortunate enough to have a swimming pool.

- Religious Education is also a compulsory element of the crriculum and is taught in accordance with the Local Authority's Agreed Syllabus. The school meets daily for an act of collective worship and this may include elements of religious education. The collective worship is undenominational but will have a Christian emphasis. Children may be withdrawn from the act of worship and/or Religious Education if parents inform the school of their intention in writing.

- The Governors of this school have agreed a programme of sex education which is taught in the context of Personal and Social Education. Sex education is introduced in Year 3 and developed through the four year programme. Parents are informed prior to the programme and have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons by writing to the Headmaster. They may also view the teaching materials and programmes of study should they so wish.

There are four houses at Oaklands Junior School:

BEECH
CEDAR
SYCAMORE
WILLOW

We recognise the long family traditions associated with these Houses and make every effort to place children in the same house as other family members. House compete against each other in various events during the school year, including our Annual Sports Day.

House points are awarded for effort and outstanding work in the classroom.

The ability of each child is taken into consideration and where a child has worked particularly well, carefully or with great thought this can be rewarded. When a child has earned 30 house points they will be awarded a certificate. A prize will be given to every child who achieves 5 certificates. After that certificates are awarded for every 30 house points and a special award given for achieving 300 house points. Houses meet half-termly for assembly. The responsibility for the organisation of these assemblies is that of the House Captains. Many children volunteer to take part in these assemblies.