The Curriculum
At North Wheatley C of E Primary we offer a broad and balanced curriculum that enables our pupils to flourish as individuals and helps them to develop a life long love of learning.
Pupils in Years 1 and 2 follow a Key Stage 1 curriculum and children in Years 3,4,5 and 6 follow the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Foundation subjects of History; Geography, Art, Music,RE,PE, DT are taught in the afternoon as well as core subjects of ICT and science. These subjects are taught through termly topics that are linked to the International Primary Curriculum. Teachers send out regular newsletters to parents giving details of the topics each term.
Children aged 3-5 are taught in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.
Mathematics
We aim to provide interest, enjoyment and enthusiasm in maths and to provide experiences that are stimulating, exciting and relevant so that children are motivated and use mathematics in all areas of the curriculum with confidence.
The broad content of our maths teaching is taken from the pupils' targets in assessments and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
Children from FS2 to Y6 have a daily maths lesson. A typical lesson is structured with oral work and mental calculation. This involves whole class work to practise, sharpen and develop mental and oral skills. The main teaching activity includes both teaching input and pupil activities and a balance between whole class, grouped, paired and individual work. The plenary involves working with the whole class to sort out misconceptions, identify progress, summarise key facts and ideas, discussing next steps or setting homework.
Science
Science is an exciting part of our school life. Our children are actively encouraged to learn by practical experience and to investigate and ask questions about their world. We use our school environment for planting and growing and to investigate different habitats. We have close links with local wildlife centres and use these facilities to broaden our children’s experiences. We make good use of our IT provision and partnership with our High School to ensure that we can provide every child with a Science Curriculum of the highest standard.
Literacy
Literacy is central to learning and its development is fostered in all areas of the curriculum. There are various areas of Literacy Learning - Speaking and Listening; Reading and Writing. All are part of a continuing process guided by the Renewed Primary National Strategy and are delivered in daily Literacy lessons.
Speaking and Listening
Children are given many opportunities to talk through imaginative play, drama, reading, listening to poetry and stories, describing events, asking and answering questions and contributing ideas. The children are encouraged to listen carefully and remember points of interest. There are also opportunities to participate in drama activities and visiting productions.
Reading
We strongly encourage the love and regular use of books and we ask that you do the same. Children are encouraged to read daily at home. Home to School Contact Books are used to enable parents and staff to work together in partnership. A variety of strategies to teach reading are used in both Key Stages. All children are encouraged to borrow books from the mobile library that visits alternate Wednesdays.
Writing
Writing is used in many different contexts - diaries, stories, letters, accounts, etc. Many different tools are used, including word processors. Planning, drafting and evaluation techniques are employed, along with formal grammar and punctuation. High quality presentation is a priority throughout the school in all areas of writing.
Spelling
The rules of spelling are taught and children at both Key Stages are given words to learn at home.
Additional literacy support
Children are offered additional literacy support in groups where appropriate.
Physical Education
All children are able to participate in fortnightly swimming sessions that take place on Thursday afternoons at Misterton School. These are very successful and the children enjoy gaining confidence and certificates.
The school has recently started daily Activate sessions to develop fitness and coordination. The children love doing this every morning and afternoon.
Weekly PE lessons are held in the school hall or outside to develop dance, gymnastics and games skills. The children do need a PE kit comprising red PE shorts and a white t-shirt for these sessions. Trainers are also needed in summer for outside games.
Art and Design
At North Wheatley we believe that Art and Design should stimulate creativity and imagination and give children an individual way of understanding and responding to the world around them. Art is used as a means of expression. Children are encouraged from the earliest age to observe, draw, paint, design and use a wide variety of medium in 2D and 3D. Children are given opportunities to talk about their own artistic interpretations and the work of others.
Annual visits to Patchings Farm encourage children to learn from established artists and to produce pieces of artwork with guidance from them. This valuable learning experience is one of the a highlights of the school year.
Religious Education
The school values links with St Peter & St Paul's Church and the Methodist Chapel in Wheatley. Religious Education is taught in all classes and the children meet daily for Collective Worship. Visiting members of the clergy lead assemblies on a regular basis. Each week we hold a Gold Book Assembly, when individual children receive rewards and praise for their achievements. Parents are invited to Harvest Festivals, Christmas Productions, End of Term church services and other celebrations.
Our basic teaching is according to Christian but non-denominational principles. All children in school are now taught Christianity throughout both Key Stages with an awareness of other faiths and cultures developed throughout their education.
If you wish your child to be withdrawn from Collective Worship or RE please contact the school.
Information Communication Technology - ICT
We are fortunate to have many laptops as well as some stand alone PCs through school. We are now connected to the Internet with all computers networked throughout the buildings so that the children can access their ICT folders from most of the computers in school. We have Interactive Whiteboards and various other ICT equipment such as digital cameras, video cameras, digiblue cameras, beebots programable toys, that the children use regularly to enhance and support their learning
ICT is taught as a separate subject following a set curriculum. ICT also enhances the teaching and learning of other subjects and is used on a daily basis to extend learning. The children will develop skills in word processing, spreadsheets, Control, Powerpoint presentations, graphics, etc. during their time in school.
Music
All pupils take part in music lessons. The school follows the QCA schemes of work supported by other material. This covers all aspects of music required for the National Curriculum.
Music tuition is available to KS2 children from visiting tutors and children enjoy learning to play the violin and woodwind instruments.
Our Christmas Productions are very popular and the children love participating whether it is singing, acting, producing or stage setting.
Early Years Foundation Stage - EYFS
Our Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
The period of education from age 3 – 5 is now known as the Early Years Foundation Stage. During this stage, six areas of learning are introduced known as Early Learning Goals. These are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development;
Communication, Language and Literacy;
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy;
Knowledge and Understanding of the World;
Physical Development;
Creative Development.
These birth to five goals prepare the children for work on the National Curriculum at KS1 in the Primary School. The last year of the Foundation Stage is called the Reception Year or Foundation Stage Two.
We run a very popular morning Early Years Foundation Stage session all week. From the term after their third birthday, children are entitled to 5 free sessions per week.
If you would like to know more, please ask for a copy of our EYFS booklet for parents and carers.
Design technology - DT
We aim to provide our children with skill, knowledge, experience and understanding to become creative problem solvers, designers and confident technologists.
Design and Technology starts in the foundation stage with individual skills using scissors, pencils and glue and develops to the use of tools, food technology equipment, ICT, electronics and pneumatics throughout KS1 and KS2.
Personal, Social, Health and Emotional education (PSHE)
We follow a PSHE curriculum based on NC Guidelines, which aims to prepare children to play an active role in citizenship, develop good relationships, respect the differences between people, develop a healthy safer lifestyle, develop confidence and responsibility and make the most of their abilities.
The whole school participates on weekly sessions based on SEAL which covers six themes throughout the school year that are designed to develop the children's self-esteem and self confidence.
A programme of Sex Education will be offered to the children in Year 6. It will be appropriate to the children’s age and will be presented within a moral and family-oriented framework.
Throughout the school, staff will attempt to deal sensitively with any matters which arise during children’s questions or discussions. If you are concerned in any way you have the right to withdraw your child from this programme, provided the content is not part of the National Curriculum requirement.
Special Educational needs - SEN
The Governing Body and staff of North Wheatley School aim to meet the academic, emotional and physical needs of all pupils admitted to the school. We have improved access for children with disabilities, with washroom facilities and ramps where necessary. Children will not be discriminated against because of any disability. We plan to continue to improve facilities in our rebuild.
How we meet the child’s needs reflects the uniqueness of the child, with programmes of work designed around each individual. The level of help that is provided depends on your child’s specific needs, which we will determine with your help. Most children will have their needs met within the classroom, with additional support from the Class Teacher and Teaching Assistant.
If you have concerns about your child's progress at any time do not hesitate to contact your child's Class Teacher.
If your child is identified as having special educational needs, the Class Teacher and Special Education Needs Coordinators will provide individual programmes of work that are additional to those provided in the school's usual differentiated curriculum.
North Wheatley is very fortunate to have a very experienced Special Educational Needs Higher Level Teaching Assistant.