The Foundation Stage The Foundation Stage is the period of education for children aged 3 to 5 years, so in school is children in the reception class. It is designed to give children a secure base for later learning and is a distinct phase with its own early learning goals. These cover the following areas, · Personal, social and emotional development · Communication, language and literacy · Mathematical development · Knowledge and understanding of the world · Physical development · Creative development Young children learn best from meaningful first hand experiences. Childrens learning will be extended in school through well planned structured play.
The National Curriculum The National Curriculum applies to pupils of compulsory school age in maintained schools. It is organised on the basis of the following key stages:
|
Pupils Ages |
Year Groups |
Foundation Stage |
4 - 5 |
Reception |
Key Stage 1 |
5 - 7 |
1 - 2 |
Key Stage 2 |
7 - 11 |
3 - 6 |
The following subjects are included in the National Curriculum:-
Core subjects- English, Mathematics, Science and Information Communication Technology. Approximately 70% of the teaching time is spent on Core subjects.
Foundation subjects- Design Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education, citizenship. Religious Education is also a statutory subject.
The school has accepted the Devon County Curriculum Statement, and consequently provides education in the following areas in addition to the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum: -
Drama, Economic and Industrial Understanding, Environmental Education.
Core Subjects
Literacy The National Literacy Strategy and ‘Literacy Hour’ is the basis for most English work in school. Additional English Sessions are also given to extended personal writing, drama and handwriting. During the Literacy Hour there are elements of whole class teaching, group and independent work. We plan to ensure the skills of working with both fiction and non-fiction texts are relevant and enjoyable for pupils by linking with other curriculum areas.
Numeracy Numeracy is mainly taught as a subject in its own right, but opportunities are taken to explore the mathematics that arises in other curricular areas. The National Numeracy Strategy provides a structured daily mathematics lesson for all pupils of primary age. A wide variety of maths materials are used to support learning and make maths exciting and enjoyable to learn.
Science Science teaching is based on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) annual programme. Children learn to investigate, observe and explore scientifically through the National Curriculum themes of living things, materials and physical processes. Early years study science through a topic based approach before moving on to increasingly specialised, discrete science sessions as they progress through the school.
ICT The school recognises the importance of Multimedia and Information Communication Technology in creating exciting teaching and learning opportunities in all subject areas. To maximise opportunities for pupils we have exciting and innovative new computer suites in each key stage which total 40 PCs. We supplement these with a bank of 10 laptops. Each classroom has an Interactive Whiteboard. Our ICT systems, including teacher laptops, are linked across school by a wireless network. The school has a filtered broadband internet service and each class has an e-mail address.
‘ The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing’ – John Powell
Foundation Subjects
History History themes begin with personal, family history and lead on to major periods and significant people. Local history, British history and world history themes are covered. The use of evidence and developing a sense of chronology are a major part of all themes.
Geography The immediate environment and routes to school are studied before moving on to the local area in more detail. From Year 2 children compare and contrast the local area with other areas in Britain and other parts of the world. Children learn skills such as map reading, weather recording and making surveys and use these in themes that include physical, human and environmental aspects of the subject.
Art and Design Children are introduced to a wide variety of media and techniques through which they are encouraged to express themselves in two and three dimensional representations. Some work is based on imagination, some on observation and, where appropriate, reference is made to famous artists to investigate various aspects of art, craft and design.
Music Music provides each child with a rich and varied programme of practical performing, composing and listening opportunities. The excellent provision of musical instruments allows children to begin by exploring the sounds of un-tuned instruments to create musical patterns and moving on to tuned instruments such as electronic keyboards. Singing is an important part of all year group’s learning. Instrumental Tuition is offered through peripatetic support.
Physical Education Gymnastics, dance, swimming and other sporting games and activities are included in P.E. ALL P.E. lessons are mixed gender. Emphasis is placed on the development of skills and qualities such as co-operation and sportsmanship, and a positive attitude towards all physical activities for the maintained of good health is stressed. All children have swimming lessons in our on site pool whilst it is open in the summer term. After school activities are available for children to develop skills in several sports. Sports days and a swimming gala are held annually.
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citzenship PSHE and citizenship help to give children the knowledge skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. It is a timetabled subject at the school, as well as being an area where a great deal of work is of a cross curricular nature.
Design and Technology Children progress from learning and applying simple skills and techniques in the making of simple models to more complex levels of designing making and evaluating their work. Food technology, moving models, structures and electrical items are all covered.
Religious Education The Education Reform Act 1988 provides that every pupil attends religious worship and receives religious education. In delivering Religious Education the school follows the Devon Local Education Authority syllabus, which has been agreed by a local conference of teachers, local churches and faith groups. This syllabus reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian whilst taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.
French Year 6 children receive a grounding in French to prepare them for modern Foreign Languages at secondary school. This is not a compulsory subject at primary school age, but the school feels it important to give the children this opportunity, and we are currently planning to develop and extend French teaching in school.
Sex Education Sex education is dealt with as part of health education as a whole. In the early years this is dealt with within "Myself and my family". In later years the child's natural curiosity is encouraged whilst keeping sexual matters in their proper context, as part of all life. In Year 5/6 the school nurse addresses specific issues associated with adolescence. A letter is sent to parents informing them when this visit will be and there is a right of refusal if a parent does not wish their child to attend. As in other areas, pupils’ particular needs are addressed in co-operation with parents.
‘ If you have a dream, you can make it happen’- Ellen MacArthur
Collective Worship
The school provides daily collective worship for all pupils. This provides a special time in school where pupils and staff can reflect, pray and meditate together. This is sometimes in the form of whole school assemblies or Key Stage and class assemblies. The format of collective worship is wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship. On the rare occasion when pupils are withdrawn, an alternative provision is made.
Assessment
Pupil’s progress is assessed and monitored throughout the year by both formal and informal means. Pupils are encouraged and supported in taking responsibility for their learning and therefore take part self and peer assessment. Individual targets and goals are set for each individual pupil in consultation with the pupil and parents. The targets are reviewed and renewed in the spring term with pupils and parents. A written annual report on the progress of each child in the school is sent to their parents in the last term each year. At the end of Key stage One and Two, in Year 2 and Year 6 in accordance with Government legislation, pupils take part in Statutory Assessment Tests and Tasks ( SATS ).
Inclusion We have inclusive ethos in school, we feel strongly that the teaching and learning, the achievements, attitudes and well-being of every young person matter. We aim to offer new opportunities to pupils who may have experienced previous difficulties. This does not mean treating all pupils the same way. Rather it involves taking account of pupils' varied life experiences and needs.
Special Educational Needs
Special Educational Needs teaching plays an important role at Bow Community School, focusing not just on learning difficulties, but on social, emotional and behavioural problems too. These difficulties are identified by the class teacher who then liaises closely with the Special Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Miss Julia Hammond, and parents. Progress is closely monitored, through carefully differentiated work in class and small group or one-to-one teaching with a teaching assistant where appropriate, following the SEN Code of Practice. The school also liaises closely with a number of outside agencies, e.g. speech therapist, educational psychologist and a school nurse.
Gifted and Talented Pupils
It is part of the school ethos to challenge pupils of all abilities and more able children often need particularly challenging work set by the class teacher to make the best possible progress. We actively look for opportunities to extend and develop any particular talents our children have whatever they are. The attainment and progress of more able pupils is carefully monitored by our Gifted and Talented Pupil coordinator Mrs Morgan.
Homework
The school policy on homework is regularly reviewed and establishes appropriate tasks and expectations for all year groups. Parents will receive a copy of the school’s Homework Agreement and Guidelines upon their child’s entry into the school.
Moving On
Pupils in their last year at Bow School are involved in a liaison programme with Queen Elizabeth Community Technology College in Crediton. This helps prepare them for the transfer to secondary education.
School Visits
The staff and governors encourage educational visits for the children to places of interest linked with work being done in the school.
Activities offered during school hours are available to all pupils and our school follows the guidelines of the L.E.A. concerning charges for such activities.
Voluntary contributions may be requested for visits during the school day. The Head Teacher will advise parents whether the activity can only take place if there are enough contributions from parents, but there is no obligation on parents to contribute and no pupil will be treated differently if their parents do not make a contribution. The Head Teacher and Chair of Governors may decide to subsidise or cancel a visit in the absence of enough contributions. School does not profit from school visits or ‘cost’ guideline requests for contributions for parents to cover for non contributing parents. Parents are to meet charges for board and lodging on a visit that involves an overnight stay and for activities arranged by a third party, e.g., music lessons; even when taking place in school hours. The Head Teacher and Chair of Governors will consider remission of charges on individual merit, paying due regard to County guidelines.
The school governors have a policy that only coaches fitted with seat belts will be contracted for visits.
Extra Curricular Activities
The school aims to offer a range of extra curricular activities and tries through the year to provide opportunities for pupils of all ages to join in.
These may include: (varying with time of year)
Football, Performing Arts, Netball, Ocarinas, Gardening Club, Instrumental Tuition, Cricket, Swimming, Badminton, Recorders, Chess.
Some of the instrumental tuition is provided by outside tutors and a tuition fee is charged.
Procedures for complaints
If parents are unhappy with any aspect of their child's education they should first take the matter to the Headteacher or teacher concerned. If the Headteacher does not resolve the problem, a formal complaint can be taken to the School's Governing Body (usually through the Chair).
If a parent is dissatisfied with the Governors' decision the LEA can be asked to consider the complaint. Finally if a parent is not satisfied, the complaint can be taken to the Secretary of State for Education.
Detailed information concerning the complaints procedure is available from the school, the County School Improvement Officer and the Public Library. |