Structured play is a high focus for learning and provides for structured and focused opportunities that cover these areas of development.
Key Stage One and Two Curriculum
Every maintained school is obliged by law to provide a basic curriculum consisting of Religious Education and the National Curriculum core subjects; English, Mathematics, Science and Information Technology and Communication as well as some aspects of the foundation subjects of Geography, History, Technology, Music, Art, PSHE and PE. The National Curriculum subjects have statutory orders which state specific programmes of study which all teachers use and against which each child’s achievement is monitored and assessed by staff.
Children will be formally assessed in a few areas of work during the school year in which they are seven (ie at the end of Key Stage 1) and again at the end of their primary schooling (ie Key Stage 2). Assessment and testing of children’s progress in all areas is an integral part of our teaching and is reported to parents, both formally and informally throughout the year.
Through a variety of individual, small group and whole class teaching, children are encouraged towards becoming independent and responsible learners, directed when necessary and given time to choose within a range of appropriate materials.
Literacy
Literacy is taught mostly through the primary strategy. Individual children’s reading and spelling is continually assessed and a standard test is administered termly to monitor progress.
Literacy permeates all aspects of life and all subjects within the school curriculum. Through the understanding of language, written, spoken and heard, children access information and become effective communicators. Other areas of the curriculum are included in our Literacy teaching, such as through ICT, History and Science. Reading, spelling and handwriting are taught formally across Key Stage 1 and 2.
Children are set individual targets ensuring they are challenged appropriately and their progress is tracked to ensure they reach their full potential.
Numeracy
The national Numeracy strategy is used as a framework for our teaching of mathematics. Through the daily lesson, we aim for children to develop an interest, enjoyment, confidence and competence in Numeracy.
Mathematical understanding is best achieved through both practical investigations and problem solving.
Children are set individual targets ensuring they are challenged appropriately and their progress is tracked to ensure that they reach their full potential.
Science
School science should reflect science in the real world, where children see themselves as scientists who learn from each other and extend the boundaries of knowledge and research.
We aim to stimulate children to investigate and question, building on their natural curiosity. We teach scientific skills and knowledge, promoting good attitudes of collaborative learning and the sharing of information.
ICT
ICT plays an ever increasing role in our daily lives. We aim to develop reflective practitioners, not passive onlookers, who are confident users of ICT. At Middleton Primary School, children use network computers (both in a suite and in classrooms), laptops and interactive whiteboards to learn the skills required to become confident users of ICT. We teach the children of today to become the most effective users of ICT tomorrow.
Religious Education
This is provided in accordance with the agreed syllabus of the LEA, which reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Britain are in the main, Christian though account is taken of the teaching practices of the other principal religions represented in the country. An objective approach to the teaching of all religions is adopted, regardless of personal belief. Care is taken not to use inappropriate, inclusive language.
There is a daily act of collective worship, either in the school hall or in the class teaching areas. Children also explore feelings and relationships and gain knowledge of Christianity and other major faiths. We place a strong emphasis on respecting the beliefs of others since we live in a multi-cultural, multi-faith society. Children also learn respect and care for themselves and their environment.
Parents may withdraw their children from religious education in the school. It would be helpful if parents could put such a request in writing to the Headteacher.
Music
All children are encouraged to sing for enjoyment and have the opportunity of learning notes and rhythms, being encouraged to compose and perform their own music using tuned and untuned percussion instruments.
Many opportunities are provided for children to listen to a wide range of music and composers through recorded music and recitals.
Percussion, woodwind and brass tuition are available through the county music service on payment of a fee.
Art
Arts are a form of communication and a means of sharing ideas, feelings and experiences. Children experience over time, the enhancement of skills for drawing and painting. They are encouraged to look at the work of artists both past and present and replicate their styles in their own work through a range of media.
Design and Technology
Other skills are incorporated throughout the design and technology curriculum with 3-D sculpture, fabric and needlework, printing etc.
We provide challenging activities in Design and Technology to enable children to use their thinking skills as a designer.
PE
Physical education and sport effects the child’s physical, intellectual, social and emotional development throughout life. It forms an integral part of the overall education of the child through the use and knowledge of the body and its movements. We aim to teach children the value and enjoyment of participating in physical activity while at school and throughout life.
We provide a curriculum of gymnastics, dance, swimming, athletics and games that is further enriched by a programme of extra-curricular activities.
History
Through the study of important events and developments in our history, children are helped to develop an understanding of the past and how the past has helped to shape present day life. They are encouraged to develop research skills and an enquiry-based approach that will enable them to draw conclusions from the available evidence. Wherever possible they are introduced to the evidence first hand eg through a Roman Day held in school, documents, artefacts, pictures, photographs, music and computer-based materials. Importance is placed on both chronology and the history of our own locality.
Geography
Geography is concerned with the study of places, the human and physical processes that shape them and the people who live in them. It helps children to make sense of their immediate environment and of the wider world. The children are presented with the first-hand practical experiences, which develop their mapping skills. Special emphasis is placed on observing, comparing, describing, recording and questioning various aspects of different areas, ranging outward from the immediate surroundings to other localities of Britain, Europe and other distant countries. Awareness of more distant places is developed through the use of books, photographs, films etc.
PSHE
Personal, Social & Health Education and citizenship help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. Children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of the school and the community. Through these, they learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning. They reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.
At Middleton Primary School, we have a school council which has class representatives elected by their peers. They meet weekly to discuss and plan how to improve their school environment.
SRE (Sex and Relationships Education)
The whole school, from Foundation to Year 6, will receive some level of ‘sex/life education’. This subject will be taught in a cross-curricular way, encompassing all of the elements within the Nation Curriculum as well as expanding more broadly into human relationships, human and physical development and reproduction, risks of sexual activity and sexuality.
Year 5 children will be shown the school’s chosen video about puberty and human reproduction in the summer term. Parents will be offered the opportunity to see the video before it is shown to the children.
If you would prefer that your child does not receive the Sex and Relationships Education, please put your request in writing to the Governing Body.