Curriculum
The curriculum is divided into three stages:
- The Foundation Stage – Reception
- Key Stage 1 – Years One and Two
- Key Stage 2 – Years Three to Six
The Foundation Curriculum
The Foundation Stage begins when a child reaches the age of three and finishes at the end of the Reception Year. The Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into six areas of learning:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Language and literacy
- Mathematical development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
Key Stage 1 & 2 Curriculum
For children in Years One to Six the curriculum includes:
- Mathematics
- English
- Science
- Music
- Art and design
- Physical education
- History
- Geography
- Design and technology
- Information communication technology
- Religious education
- Personal social health and citizenship education
Children are provided with a broad, balanced and exciting curriculum that is carefully planned to meet the needs of the individual children. The School aims to deliver a curriculum that is both stimulating and challenging.
Details of the areas of study for the term are given to parents via the class newsletter which is sent out during the first week of each term.
English, Maths, Science and Information Communication Technology (ICT) are given a very high profile as core subjects. All classrooms have Interactive Whiteboards. The school actively supports the government literacy and numeracy initiatives. Staff training to develop a very detailed curriculum has been arranged, supporting continuity and progression throughout the School
To enrich the curriculum a few days are set aside each year to focus on certain areas: last year our special week focussed on Science: During these special times we enjoy the expertise of visiting specialists who give the days additional excitement and creativity.
Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship Education
Our teachers and the School Nurse provide sex education for children in Year 6, their final year at Primary School. This will be part of a series of talks or a topic, which addresses the theme of healthy living. The subject will be handled in a very sensitive manner and all parents will be informed when this is to take place. As a parent you have the right to withdraw your child from sex education if you wish.
Religious Education
The Religious Education (RE) curriculum will follow the Local Authority’s agreed syllabus, emphasising a Christian approach to life while helping children to understand the religious and cultural diversity of today’s society. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from both RE lessons and our daily act of Worship, if they wish, by notifying the Head Teacher in writing.
Physical Education
Physical Education (PE) includes gymnastics, dance, athletics, games and swimming, subject to pool availability. During PE lessons, the emphasis is on developing skills and encouraging enthusiasm and participation. It will be essential that all children have their PE kit in School at all times.
Multicultural Education; Equality of
As a school we aim to create a school ethos and teaching environment which accepts cultural diversity as one of society’s richest assets. We believe that all children should be equally valued and respected and we are committed to a policy of equal opportunity in education for all pupils to reach their full potential.
We are keen to promote links with the wider community to enrich the learning experiences of all. Children for whom English is not their first language are given additional support in class where necessary.
Recording and Reporting Racist Incidents
Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and Home Office Code of Practice on reporting and recording racist incidents (2000) schools are required to record and investigate all racist incidents and to report them to the Local Authority on a regular basis.
Definition of a racist incident
Cambridgeshire Local Authority and schools, as advised by the Home Office, adopted the definition recommended in the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report 1999:
‘A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person.’
This definition emphasises perception, so that if anyone thinks an incident is racist it will be recorded and investigated as such, however minor it may seem.
Incidents involving children and adults will be recorded whether or not those responsible intended their behaviour to be racist. It should also be noted that a racist incident does not necessarily have a victim.
Procedures
Parents/carers will be contacted if their child is involved in any way in an alleged racist incident and they will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of any investigation.
Any incident that is alleged or perceived to be racist will be recorded and if, following investigation, it is concluded that it is not racist, this outcome will be noted on both the school record of the incident and the report that is submitted to the Local Authority.
Termly reports of incidents on the Local Authority Racist Incident Database (RaID) will not identify individuals, but this information will be kept at school level, in line with other records on behaviour and incidents of bullying.
The school will seek advice from Cambridgeshire Race Equality and Diversity Service (CREDS) as and when required and parents/carers may also discuss any concerns regarding racist incidents with the Service.