Subjects

RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION

In the primary school we are concerned with the development of the whole person - through a progressive awareness of life, as an individual in relation to others and within the natural world. Only from this can a true understanding of explicit religion grow and doctrine become meaningful. Our example and inspiration is Jesus Christ and we aim to help the children develop a personal relationship with Him in their journey through life.
The heart of religion is in inter-dependence, trust and joy and these are fostered by happy, stable relationships. In this, we continue the work that you, as parents, have started at home, in valuing your child.
We aim to bring the Gospel values into every aspect of the school's life. By Gospel values we mean love of God and neighbours. In practice, this means that we aim for a rich liturgical provision; good inter-personal relationships; a concern for justice; a fostering of the talents of the whole school community and a full programme of caring for and serving those who have particular needs, both within and outside the school community.
Although each class teacher will teach religious lessons using the 'Here I Am' R.E. programme, we believe that the teaching of our Faith is a continuous process and takes place in all areas of the curriculum. Children are influenced by those adults around whom their lives centre - particularly their parents, teachers and priests. It is vital, therefore, that we are living examples of Faith in action since we believe that values are not only taught but lived. It is from their encounter with their thoughts and feelings, fears and fantasies and their experience of love, compassion, joy, responsibility, hatred, fear, sickness and death that a search for meaning or sense of wonder is fostered and develops.

MASSES

Our aim is to foster an understanding and love of the Mass and therefore the children, at different stages, will have a chance to participate in Masses in the hall. Class Masses and visits to St Cecilia's Church to join in parish celebrations. Classes take it in turn to prepare the Mass.

Children, are responsible for the various ministries, readings, music, drama, altar serving and so on. One of our priests visits the class beforehand to assist in preparing the Mass

ASSEMBLIES

We have regular assemblies during the week. The infant classes usually prepare a special assembly at Harvest Festival and Christmas. Year 6 participate in a Seder meal held immediately before Easter and celebrations in the juniors include a visit to St. Raphael's Hospice during Advent and Stations of the Cross during Holy Week.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

The school supports the preparation carried out in the various parishes and children are prepared in Year 3. There is, however, no 'right' age and if you feel your child is ready either before or after this age, your parish priest will advise and help you in reaching a decision. The school has a First Holy Communion Mass where children from all parishes can celebrate together as a school family.

back to top

ENGLISH

English concentrates on four key skills that your child needs to get the most out of all their learning at school - speaking, listening, reading and writing. We use the the Primary Framework for Literacy which gives detailed aims for teaching reading and writing.
Our aim is to develop each child's ability to communicate effectively, to enjoy reading, to be able to use books to find information, to use the written word to express ideas, thoughts and experiences and to prepare the child for the skills needed in adult life.

back to top

MATHEMATICS

We are ambitious for all our children to become skilled and confident mathematicians; we aim to achieve this by the use of the Primary Framework for Mathematics.
There is a daily mathematics lesson for all children, with opportunities to use mathematical skills in other curriculum areas. 

The following documents are from a parent workshop on written methods in maths: 

Parent's workshop

Progression in Calculations Foundation - Year 2

Progression in Calculations Year 3 - Year 6 

back to top

SCIENCE

All children have weekly science lessons. Every child has a natural curiosity about the way the world works. We encourage children to think and approach their work scientifically.
Our science lessons are practical. Through activities and investigations we aim to give children knowledge and understanding. Our conservation area is a useful resource for practical science activities such as pond dipping, observation of plants and animals, classification of soils and so on.

back to top

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

The school is equipped with a Computer Suite in which each child has two lessons a week. We use computers, digital cameras/camcorders and audio equipment to support children's learning in a variety of curriculum areas. It is through virtual learning that children learn new skills such as web-page design and blogging.        

back to top

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Design Technology gives children the opportunity to investigate how well familiar products and objects work and whether they meet their purpose. The children design, make and evaluate their own products.

back to top

ART & DESIGN

The art curriculum enables children to experience many different ways of self-expression, to extend their powers of observation and to be sensitively aware of their environment. The children have the opportunity to paint, draw, print, dye, weave, embroider, make collages and use a variety of materials to make models. These may well be linked with Design Technology, Maths and Science, as well as being an aesthetic outlet.

back to top

MUSIC

Music is also an integral part of our Masses and Assemblies and is seen as part of our act of worship. Making music together helps children to explore and express their thoughts and feelings. Learning songs from times gone by or from different parts of the world helps children learn about other times and other cultures.
We have a school orchestra that meets each week and we encourage children learning instruments to join. Additionally, our Infant and Junior Choirs both participate in the Borough Festivals. Privately run lessons in violin, flute, and clarinet are available.

back to top

FRENCH

We teach French to all children from Year 3 onward, the cost of which we meet from the school budget. An after-school club, "Le Club Francaise' is provided on a fee-paying basis for children in Years 1 and 2.

back to top

HISTORY

In History, we teach pupils about important episodes and developments in Britain's past, from Roman to modem times. They also investigate and leam about local history and ancient civilisations and about changes in everyday life over long periods of time. Learning how to weigh up evidence and reach conclusions are just some of the skills children develop through studying history.

back to top

GEOGRAPHY

Learning about links between our lives and the environment around us is central to the geography lessons. By using maps, photographs and computers the children find out about an area in the UK and how it compares with other places around the world.

back to top

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

We aim to develop the individual skills of agility and physical co-ordination and to encourage the child to move confidently in a wide variety of situations and to be able to express feeling through movement.
The curriculum includes gymnastics, dance, athletics, games, swimming activities and outdoor pursuits. In the Infants children go swimming and achieve 25m badges as a minimum. We have a large well-equipped hall, an all-weather playing surface, and a field for games and athletics.

back to top

SEX EDUCATION

We recognise that it is the privilege and duty of parents to inform and educate their children in all matters of sexual development. We also recognise that parents need the support of the Christian community in this sensitive task.
At school we teach the facts of human reproduction with regard to the ages of the children and the demands of the National Curriculum, and in the light of the Church's teaching on love, marriage and the sanctity of life. We see sex education as an integral part of the curriculum and we teach it very naturally as part of our Religious, Health and Science Education programmes.

back to top