Curriculum

Foundation Years.

In the Nursery and Reception Classes the children do not follow the National Curriculum, but have a separate set of guidelines, ‘The Early Learning Goals’. This early and vitally important time at school is now known as ‘The Foundation Stage’.

Our aim at this time is to provide a caring and stimulating environment in which children can enjoy learning and develop skills during those important early years, forging a link between home and school. We encourage the children to develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically through a wide range of activities, forming a base for their future development. This includes imaginative and manipulative play, art and craft, sand and water play as well as pre-reading and pre-writing skills, language and practical maths. We also encourage the children’s social skills through sharing, listening, awareness and respect for others. We aim to provide an environment where children can develop an understanding of the world around them with enjoyment and a sense of wonder.

We aim to create an atmosphere that is attractive, stimulating, facilitating and supportive for the children. The tables are arranged in groups and in the Nursery Class children are able to move freely to choose different activities. There is a quiet area / book corner with an easily accessible display of both fiction and reference books and an interest table. Sand and water are available each in different forms daily, as well as creative activities. An imaginative area that can be arranged in a variety of ways e.g. home corner, shop, restaurant or hospital depending upon the topic, is freely available. The children have access to an indoor and outdoor environment. They use the school hall for music and movement and P.E.. When the children move up to Reception Class, they will still have the opportunity to do these different activities, but the day is more structured and children will move on to activities as directed by the class teacher.

The Foundation stage provides a sound basis for the children’s learning throughout the rest of the school. When children move on from the Reception Class into Year 1, they study the subjects of the National Curriculum.

Planning and Delivery.
We believe that the curriculum should be broad, balanced and relevant, meeting the needs of all children throughout the school by matching the task to the child.
We are aware of the ways in which young children learn best and the school day is arranged so that all children can benefit from first-hand experience and an active learning environment. Groups of children may be engaged in a variety of tasks within the classroom at any given time. All activities are very carefully planned by the teacher and carried out under strict supervision, with children being encouraged to become independent learners.
Parents will be informed at the beginning of each term of the activities that are going to be undertaken in their children’s classes.

Recording and Assessment.
The central purpose of assessment and record keeping is to be able to improve children's performance through more carefully targeted teaching. We aim to do this in a number of ways.

At the end of Key Stage 1 (Year 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 6) Standard Assessment Tests are set for each child to determine levels of achievement against National expectations. Each child develops at a different rate and also has a different starting point when they enter school. These factors may affect their 'levels of attainment' in the SATs.
Additionally, pupils in Year 3, 4, and 5 take optional SATs Tests to determine their levels of performance. This way, children needing additional help to reach the expected levels are identified and supported.
All work carried out by the children is monitored and evaluated by the Class Teacher. A School Report is made available to parents annually in the Summer Term and Open Evenings are arranged each term. Parents are welcome to seek advice from the staff at any time during the year where there is some concern regarding their child.

Content.
The National Curriculum consists of the following subjects for children

English
The three main areas of study within the English curriculum are: Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.

We have a structured programme which provides opportunities for spoken and written language development so that children can communicate clearly and confidently in speech and writing. We follow the Programme of Study laid down in the National Literacy Strategy.
Children regularly take books home from the beginning of their school life and we hope parents will enjoy reading to and with their children. Great emphasis is placed on the acquisition of reading skills and it is our intention to foster a love of reading and literature, to develop an ability to read.
Reluctantly, we have to make a charge for lost or damaged books.

Mathematics
The curriculum covers all aspects of Mathematics as set out in the National Numeracy Strategy, i.e. Number, Shape and Space, Measures and Data Handling. We aim to develop in our pupils a positive attitude to Mathematics give our children opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding through practical work, through tackling problems and through using physical materials.

The Numeracy strategy places emphasis on mental arithmetic for the whole class at the start of each daily lesson. This is followed by a main teaching session, which may be with the whole class or small groups and includes individual work. The final 10 minutes is used to summarise the work done, sort out any problems and informally assess what the children have learned. The curriculum covers all aspects of Mathematics as set out in the National Numeracy Strategy, i.e. Number, Shape and Space, Measures and Data Handling. We aim to develop in our pupils a positive attitude to Mathematics give our children opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding through practical work, through tackling problems and through using physical materials.

The Numeracy strategy places emphasis on mental arithmetic for the whole class at the start of each daily lesson. This is followed by a main teaching session, which may be with the whole class or small groups and includes individual work. The final 10 minutes is used to summarise the work done, sort out any problems and informally assess what the children have learned.

Science
It is important for children to relate science to their everyday lives. We encourage and develop pupils' natural curiosity about the world. In their science work, children are given opportunities to gain skills and understanding through first-hand experiences, discovery and research
During each year children will be expected to study topics such as ‘Ourselves’, ‘air’, ‘Rocks’ or ‘Electricity’ and within each of these scientific investigation will be at the heart of the learning that takes place.

Information and Communication Technology
We aim to enable children to become familiar with a range of information technologies and their skills to use them for a variety of purposes. Children have the opportunity to learn how to word process, use a desk top publishing programme, incorporate graphics, use and create a database, explore adventure games and use floor robots.

We have a computer suite consisting of 14 computers with two printers and a scanner. Each classroom also has a computer and these are all networked to give controlled access to the Internet. Computers are well used throughout the school by children of all ages both in separate lessons and as a useful tool in other curricular areas. We also have a school web-site www.pippins.slough.sch.uk

Religious Education
Religious Education reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.

We acknowledge the complexity of our society and the need to make our children aware of an increasingly diverse society around us. It is important that every person in this school shows respect and appreciation for each other’s racial and cultural background.
Any parent wishing to withdraw their child from Assembly or Religious Education has the right to do so and may discuss this with the Headteacher.

P.E.
PE forms a vital part of the curriculum at Pippins School as we recognise the importance of children being physically fit as well as mentally active. Children participate in gymnastics, games and movement lessons. They are expected to change for PE as this allows for freedom of movement. Jewellery, including earrings, must be removed for PE.

Swimming lessons at Spelthorne Leisure Centre are available for all children. These lessons are usually in six week blocks. Children travel to the Leisure Centre by coach and a charge is made towards the cost of these lessons.

Music
The aim of music teaching in our school is to give all children the opportunity to take part in music making as an enriching and enjoyable experience. Our school has a wide range of percussion instruments and the children enjoy singing and playing recorders. An appreciation of music is encouraged for all children.
Instrumental tuition is offered to older children and we also have a thriving choir and Guitar Club

History and Geography
Children are initially made aware of time and place by studying their own family history and their immediate environment. These early experiences are then extended to cover broader aspects of History and Geography e.g. The British Isles, Rivers, World Geography and Climate, Tudors, Victorians, etc. Our children are encouraged to use enquiry and investigation to develop their awareness of the passage of time, and history's effect on the present. They learn to present information in a variety of ways and use a wide range of resources. Work in Key Stage 1 is related to events in British History and broadens in Key Stage 2 to include other civilisations.

French
We feel it is important that children have an early start in learning a foreign language and consequently children learn French in Years 5 and 6.

Sex and Relationship Education
Our provision for Sex and relationships Education is part of a far wider Personal, Social and Health Education programme. In Key Stage 1 the subject is mainly delivered through the National Curriculum programmes of study for science with topics such as “Ourselves” and “Plants and Other Animals” and wherever possible children’s questions will be answered with a simple truthful explanation.

Also at Key Stage 2 the children will learn much about how their bodies work from their Science programme when studying topics such as ‘Body Management’ and ‘Life Cycles’, but in addition they will also find out about changes to their bodies as they mature and learn about human reproduction.

Special Eductional Needs.

One of our aims is to ensure that all children have access to a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum. We aim to meet the specific needs of all children to the best of our ability and to give all children the opportunity to participate as fully as possible in the everyday life of our school. Special needs provision may be made for a variety of needs including general learning difficulties, specific learning difficulties, sensory impairment, behavioural problems, co-ordination difficulties and physical disabilities.

Children are continually assessed both formally and informally and if there is a concern that arises, a child may be placed on the Special Needs Register. Parents Evenings are used to discuss problems and identify needs. Where possible the needs of each child will be addressed and met within school, but if necessary outside advice from an expert (such as an Educational Psychologist or Speech Therapist) may be sought. Parents will be kept fully informed at all times as help at home is essential if the work in the classroom is to be successful.