Curriculum
Our curriculum is balanced and broadly based. It consists of all the activities designed or encouraged in the school to develop the intellectual, personal, social and physical activities of the children.
We aim to help our children, with the co-operation of their parents:
- To develop into happy and confident individuals with a secure foundation in learning that will last throughout their lives
- Develop lively and enquiring minds through knowledge with understanding
- Establish a command of the subjects contained in the National Curriculum
- Value and understand religious and moral beliefs
- Develop a respect for the views of others
- Understand something of the world in which we live with regard for our mutual dependence on others as individuals, groups and nations
- Appreciate human achievements and aspirations.
We try to do this by providing:
- a school environment in which they can enjoy developing their mental and physical abilities
- whole school and individual staff professional development which ensures the highest quality of teaching and learning
- opportunities to work with other children and adults in a friendly atmosphere and so develop social skills in co-operating with each other.
We have wider aims to:
- play our part in raising national standards in education through sharing good practice with other schools and teachers across the country
- take a leading role in national initiatives.
Our curriculum includes not only the formal programme of lessons, but the 'informal' programme of extra curricular activities as well as the features which produce the school's ethos, such as equality of opportunity, the values shown in the way the school sets about its task and the way in which it is organised and managed.
The curriculum is planned by the staff and governors. The National Curriculum provides a necessary framework and ensures continuity throughout the child's school life. The curriculum detail forms the most important element in the School Improvement Plan which in turn covers all aspects of school life.
Our teaching is child-centred in that our pupils are central to all our planning. We have high expectations of our children. They have already learned a great deal so that we start with what is familiar and, using practical activities wherever possible, extend this knowledge. We aim to interest the children, even excite them, so that they want to learn and enjoy their new skills. Success is a firm foundation for future learning and we show our appreciation of their successes.
Within the class our children are grouped according to their abilities in the different fields. Our planning is detailed, inclusive and differentiated to meet all pupils' talents, skills and abilities.
Class Organisation
Each year group is organised under the direction of the Senior leadership team who oversee the whole school curriculum. All staff have a curriculum responsiblity and liase with our partner schools in the development and planning for each subject area.
The work is aimed at covering the appropriate programmes of study, detailed in the National Curriculum, and to ensure all pupils reach or exceed individual progress targets.
SEND
From time to time many children will need special help either to overcome a learning difficulty or to ensure that the curriculum fully extends their abilities. Specialist help is available within the school. Our SEND co oversees the work of the teachers and classroom assistants who support the children.
They work with small groups and monitor the progress of children. Additional help is available when appropriate from Educational Psychologists and other outside support agencies.
English
Our English curriculum is planned to develop the basic skills of reading and writing, the enjoyment of books and effective communication in speech and writing.
In EYFS & Key Stage 1 children follow the Phonics Steps programme. For more information on this please see the Phonic Steps section of the website.
Mathematics
We teach mathematics so that our pupils develop their understanding and enjoyment. Where possible we apply it to everyday life.
Each child has a daily maths lesson based on the National Curriculum. This involves direct teaching and interactive oral work with the whole class and groups.
Computing
The school has an extensive range of IT resources.
Each class has a weekly teaching session of Computing and further opportunities to explore a range of IT resources within the classroom and across the curriculum.
Religious Education
The R.E. syllabus is in accordance with the Surrey Handbook for Religious Education in Surrey.
School Parents are reminded of their right to withdraw their children from all or part of the religious education and collective worship provided. This should be discussed with the Headteacher.
Woodland Learning