CASTLETHORPE FIRST CURRICULUM SUBJECTS

English

The skills of listening, talking, reading and writing enable children to communicate effectively. Children enter school with differing experiences and levels of attainment in these four areas. We aim to develop these skills by encouraging all children to use them for a range of real needs and purposes.

The National Literacy Strategy, provides a framework for the English curriculum.

All four aspects of Language Development are held to be of major importance and great emphasis is placed on helping each child to become proficient in communicating using all areas. Careful attention is given to writing skills, including spelling and the conventions of written work. The skill of handwriting is taught in a structured manner to ensure correct letter formation.

A variety of reading material is available within the school and children are encouraged to take books home to share with you. The Oxford Reading Tree forms the core of our reading resources. However, we use a wide range of books, which are read in group guided reading sessions. As the children's reading skills develop, they bring home pictures and storybooks as well, for their individual reading. Literacy lessons include whole class shared reading sessions, where storybooks, information books and poetry are read. Children are taught to read using a variety of approaches which encourages them to develop a wide range of skills. Children have daily access to the school library from which books may be borrowed for classroom and home use.

Children hear carefully chosen stories and poems and are encouraged to respond in a variety of ways. In helping children become literate, great importance is attached to developing a good attitude to reading - a love of books and a desire to read for pleasure as well as for information.

Mathematics

Mathematics teaching includes the development of mathematical language and developing reasoning within the context of number (including measures), shape and space and handling data. Children learn to sort, classify, make comparisons, search for patterns and select and use materials for problem solving.

The National Numeracy Strategy provides the framework for the planning of our Mathematics curriculum. Mathematical experiences are carefully planned to ensure that children are challenged at an appropriate level. Much of the work is practical and we aim to make the activities as real and relevant as possible. We also place a strong emphasis on mental mathematics and the ability to find effective ways of calculating numbers. The understanding that a child develops in these early stages of mathematics is of vital importance as they progress to recording on paper in more formal ways.

Science

Much of the scientific work in school is concerned with developing the skills of observation, classification, suggesting ideas and planning investigations and recording findings in appropriate ways.

We aim to develop in the children enquiring minds and an ability to explore problems and use evidence in their reasoning. Science is mainly taught through a thematic approach and includes the study of materials and physical processes and work on life processes, which is related to children's knowledge of animals and plants in the local environment.

Information and Communication Technology

We have a range of equipment to support Information and Communication Technology. This includes several computers and portable laptops, a digital camera and a programmable floor turtle. There is also an interactive whiteboard situated in class 2. These are used to develop skills and support activities across the curriculum.

Geography

The village environment provides a context for developing skills and knowledge in Geography. Class visits slightly further afield enable us to look at physical and human features and to compare these with our own locality. A range of resources is used to look at both our own locality and other localities in the United Kingdom and overseas.

History

In History at Key Stage 1 a variety of themes is used to link with other subjects and to provide contexts familiar to the children. For the older children some units from Key Stage 2 are studied, such as ‘The Romans' and ‘Anglo Saxons'. These are planned carefully to provide continuity into the Middle School. The local environment also provides an important context for work in history.

Art and Design

Our Art curriculum aims to give the children the opportunity to learn to handle and use a wide range of tools and materials skilfully. The children are encouraged to create their own work, as well as looking carefully at the work of famous artists. We see the development of creativity and imagination as important, as well as the ability to communicate using art.

We aim to give the children the opportunity to use a variety of art and craft tools and materials safely and with growing confidence and control.

Physical Education

We aim to give children opportunities to explore and control the potential of their body movements through a wide range of experiences. Awareness of space, shape, speed, balance and a concern with the quality of movement are important.

When children do PE indoors, at the village hall, they need to wear plimsolls, shorts and T- shirts; plimsolls or lightweight trainers are required for games outside. School T-shirts may be obtained from Friends of School. For PE out of doors, the children will also require a jogging suit. Swimming is undertaken in class 2.

Children are encouraged to dress and undress themselves and all clothing should have the child's name clearly marked.

Religious Education

Castlethorpe is a non-denominational school. In religious education children learn about different religions and also learn from them. The predominant focus is on Christianity. We hope this will encourage children to develop a feeling of responsibility for others and the idea of caring relationships.

The curriculum is based upon the Milton Keynes Agreed Syllabus. Parents may withdraw their child from religious education and assemblies by writing to the Headteacher.

Music

Children are given the opportunity to enjoy both making and listening to music, and singing is a regular part of the curriculum. Each class has a weekly music lesson with our specialist music teacher. Music forms a part of our Harvest Festival, the Nativity Play and other celebrations, throughout the year.

Personal, Social and Health Education

We aim to give children an understanding of how their bodies work and the basic rules of health and hygiene. There is no formal sex education programme but children's questions are answered sensitively when they arise.

The main focus for drugs education at this age is the safe use of medicines.

Design and Technology

In Design and Technology children develop skills and are encouraged to plan, design and make objects for a variety of purposes and to evaluate the success of their designs. Much of this work is undertaken using familiar items such as card, paper and fabrics. Technological construction equipment, for example Lego, also supports the children's investigations.

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