Subjects
- Religious Education
- English
- Maths
- Science
- ICT
- Design & Technology
- Art & Design
- Music
- French
- History
- Geography
- PE
- Sex Education
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
The school is equipped with a Computer Suite in which each child has two lessons a week. We use computers as a tool to support the children's learning in a variety of curriculum areas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.