The Early Years Curriculum

Your child will spend a year in our Nursery Class, usually followed by a year in our Reception Class. Our aim is to provide a caring, happy environment where your child feels secure and confident to take advantage of the broad and varied activities and experiences available at St Mary’s.

We promote personal and social development, encouraging children to cooperate, know their own self worth and show consideration for and understanding of other people. Through active learning we encourage them to develop the skills they will need to move forward confidently to the next stage of their learning.

The Primary Curriculum

The National Curriculum provides the content for most of what we teach your child at St Mary’s. From age five your child will study ten different subjects including religious education. The National Curriculum provides us with Programmes of Study from which we plan our teaching and maintain progression and continuity. Some subjects are incorporated into class topics while others are taught as separate subjects. Your child will spend most of his/her time learning about English, mathematics and science as these form the three core National Curriculum subjects.

English and Drama

The children are taught English using the National Literacy Strategy. We set out to develop competent readers, writers, speakers and listeners. Our aim is that children not only develop these skills but also remain enthusiastic about using them. We use a combination of methods to teach reading which include the use of published reading schemes and other good quality books. From the beginning children are encouraged to have a go at writing for themselves and to write for different audiences and purposes. A high standard of handwriting is encouraged.

We use drama to promote collaboration and cooperation. It also contributes to your child’s personal growth by enabling her/him to express emotions and experience imaginative play. We also use role play to help develop concepts in other areas of the curriculum, for example history.

Mathematics

The children follow the National Numeracy Strategy. Calculators and computers are an integral part of our mathematics teaching as games which help children to memorise facts and practice skills. We use problem solving and investigational work to provide opportunities for children to apply their mathematics.

Science

Science with English and mathematics is one of the three core subjects of the National Curriculum. Children regularly carry out such scientific activities as testing ideas, observing, experimenting and recording. We use the school grounds and visits to teach environmental aspects of science.

Design & Technology

This area of the curriculum incorporates active learning and an open-ended approach to problem solving. Through projects we provide children with opportunities to gain knowledge and skills for creating design’s, making products with various materials and components, evaluating and improving upon end products.

Information Technology

The school is equipped with a suite of computers which can be used by classes. The computers are networked throughout the school. Each class has a multimedia computer and teachers organise their use so that each child has regular access to it. The computers are used for a variety of purposes including word processing, data handling and games which reinforce skills and concepts from a number of curriculum areas.

History

Our aim is to give children an opportunity to develop an awareness of the past and, by the use of historical sources, to give them sufficient knowledge to discuss in what ways it was different from the present. We make good use of the opportunities for local visits to places of historical interest including museums.

Geography

We aim to help children to develop knowledge of their immediate locality, their region and country and of Europe and the wider world. In their study of different places children will learn about the human and physical processes which shape those places and about the people who live in them. Visits play an important part in stimulating work in geography.

Art

Art allow the expression of individuality. We aim to teach children to use a variety of media and to encourage the appreciation of art from other cultures and times. Visits to art galleries and museums can provide a stimulus to this work.

Music

St Mary’s has built a strong tradition for music making. As well as classroom based music there is regular singing practice. Children have the opportunity to play the recorder in the lunch time club. Instrumental music tuition is available. The children have an opportunity to take part in local music concerts. We aim to provide all children with an opportunity to listen and respond to a range of types of music and performance.

Physical Education

This is an essential part of your child’s social as well as physical development. We help children to develop skills in athletics, dance, games and gymnastics and the children have at least one term of swimming each year at Ernulf Sports Center. All children need trainers or plimsolls for outdoor physical activity.

Religious Education

We aim to help children to achieve a knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs and practices in order that they may develop their own beliefs and respect the right of people to hold beliefs different from their own. Religious Education is taught according to the Agreed Syllabus. The children visit St Mary’s Church regularly as well as other churches in the town. The clergy are regular visitors to school to lead assemblies and work with the children in class.

Assemblies and Collective Worship

There is a daily act of worship for all the children, which is Christian in nature. One assembly a week is led by clergy from St Mary’s Church. The children are involved in the leading of some assemblies and usually parents are invited on these occasions. Once or twice a term the school attends St Mary’s Church for a special service.

Homework

Homework is set through the school. Parents will be informed each year what is expected of their children.

Personal, Social and Health Education

This area of the curriculum helps your child to make responsible decisions about relationships with other people. In providing knowledge about their bodies, including sex education, we will be helping her/him to develop a positive sense of self through discussions about choice making, self expression, assertiveness and respect for others. Some aspects of sex education are taught in the context of the science National Curriculum. Others are taught more specifically through a topic approach. We select teaching materials including books and videos which are appropriate to the needs and ages of the children concerned. A school nursing sister often contributes to this work. As with all other curriculum areas we hold information evenings for parents and on these occasions you will be able to see the teaching materials in use and to hear about our teaching approaches. We also teach children about healthy living, the importance of diet and exercise and the risks involved in the use of harmful substances.

Extra Curricular Activities

Academic achievement is of course of importance at St Mary’s but we aim to develop rounded, balanced individuals equipped with the skills essential to living a full and satisfying life. We therfore think that it is important that children have the opportunity to participate in clubs and teams beyond the school day. At present we run clubs for athletics, dance, swimming, cricket, football, netball and recorder playing. Occasionally children have the opportunity to play in school teams.

School Trips

Each year the children have the opportunity to go on visits that contribute to the curriculum subjects taught in the classroom. In years 5 and 6 the children normally have a residential activities weekend. We believe that this does not only contribute to the physical development of the children but also their personal and social development. Year 6 children have a yearly visit to Ely Cathedral for the Church Schools Day.

Record Keeping & Assessment

We keep records of your child’s achievements in the National Curriculum and samples of their work to illustrate progress. Children undergo statutory assessment at 7 and 11, the results of these assessments are reported to you. Additionally we use reading and mathematics tests annually with the children. Tests do not supply all the answers to monitoring progress but they provide a part of the picture.

Special Needs Education

At some time during your child’s school career she/he may experience difficulties of one sort or another and we hope to be able to provide the right kind of environment in which those difficulties can be alleviated. Special Needs Educational needs are identified by the teaching staff and the children are assessed according to the code of practice. This will include regular meetings with parents. Should you have concern about any difficulties that your child may be having please do not hesitate to contact the school.