Curriculum

The Curriculum Foundation Stage
Our aim is to provide a stimulating, exciting, environment where children can enjoy learning and where the needs of the whole child can be met -physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

All children will follow a curriculum comprising the Early Learning Goals from the Foundation Curriculum. This will enable them to make maximum progress in reading and writing, number work and personal and social development.

We also encourage skills in creativity and physical development and help children to be aware of the environment in which they live.

Children will attend part-time initially, as we believe this will help children settle happily and confidently into their new school routines.

During the first term in school, all children in the Reception Class are assessed in their personal social development and their skills in literacy and numeracy.

The Curriculum Key Stage One and Two

Literacy: The teaching of Literacy is based on the framework laid out by the Primary National Strategy. Our school places a great emphasis on creative and imaginative work in Literacy involving drama, story telling and the use of authors and performers which will enrich children's lives.

Numeracy: We aim to give children a range of ways to solve mathematical problems and most of all, to make it fun. We follow the Governments Numeracy Strategy and help children to develop their knowledge and understanding of pattern, number, shape and measure.

Design Technology: Learning through making works! Projects in D.T. are covered in a block of time in a week. This allows children to be very focused in their designing, develop their skills with tools, experiment with a range of materials and then produce a finished product they are proud of.

Science: Science stimulates children's natural curiosity. They are encouraged to ask questions, predict outcomes, observe and explore. They participate in a range of practical activities and so gain an understanding of the world around them, find out about themselves and other living creatures. At St. Peter's we hold themed, focused Science weeks, where we invite visitors to the school e.g. Healthy Eating.

Music: Children enjoy listening to a range of music, singing and playing percussion instruments. They develop a sense of rhythm and compose using their voices and instruments. They can learn to play the recorder or violin. We have Music Days which can involve visiting musicians.

I.C.T: At the centre of our school is the computer suite, where children can research and access information and develop their skills.
In addition, all classrooms have an interactive whiteboard and computers which benefit from broadband internet access.
Art can be the foundation for imagination, as it allows children to express themselves through the use of different media. At the school, children explore the potential of various styles and use media such as clay, charcoal, watercolours and ink. We believe that every child has the ability to develop artistic flare. To encourage this, staff model a range of techniques and support the children when they work independently.

P.E.: Keeping active and healthy is very important, and all children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of sporting activities. In KS2 a wide range of after school clubs are offered. We believe that sport provides an excellent opportunity to develop self-confidence and social skills.

History: Through stories and topic work children will learn to appreciate and develop an understanding about the past.

Religious Education and Worship: The school follows the Local Authority agreed syllabus for Religious Education "Awareness, Mystery and Value", which gives children knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith and other beliefs, festivals and religious practices. In R.E. we encourage children to express a sense of awe and wonder.
As a Church of England School, we maintain very close links with St Peter's Church, holding a Communion Service in school once a month, which Year 4 children attend. We welcome local ministers, clergy and visitors e.g. from the school's nominated charities of the year, to lead our worship.

Collective Worship: An act of collective worship is held in school every day. This can take the form of whole school, key stage or class worship. Collective worship themes are carefully planned across each term and will embrace all the major Christian festivals as well as more general themes such as families, caring for each other and community. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from R.E. and Collective Worship. Any request for withdrawal must be made in writing to the Headteacher.

Geography: St Peter's aims to provide a wide range of opportunities to enable the children to develop a sense of their surroundings and the wider world, thereby encouraging pupils to think about their own place in the world and their responsibility to the environment.
In KS1 children develop an interest in understanding of the local area and a contrasting area in the country. KS2 supports geographical skills, observation, discussion and information gathering by research and geographical enquiry both inside and outside the classroom.