CORE SUBJECTS

English

Literacy is very important to communicating and learning both in and out of school. We follow the national strategy for Literacy in order to develop skills for reading, writing, listening and speaking. These skills are developed alongside each other. Literacy is taught in class groups of mixed ability. The work is differentiated according to the ability of the children and additional literacy support is given to individual or small groups of children where this is needed.

Essential to English is the ability to write accurately, both grammatically and with good spelling. A range of writing is encouraged using features and style for a particular purpose and audience. Children are expected to present their work attractively with a sense of pride, developing a good legible handwriting style throughout Grass Royal. Spelling is developed within 'word level' work-focused work around a particular pattern.

Within reading, children experience a range of texts and are encouraged to read widely. Parents can support their children by listening to them read and discussing opinions and ideas about what has been read. The school will provide a "Reading Log" book for use at home and in school to record the children's reading experience.

Mathematics

Pupils are taught in ability groups in their classes throughout the school. This enables children to work with pupils of similar ability, helping teachers to target their particular strengths and weaknesses. These groups are not permanent and where we feel it is in the child's best interests, a change will be made. Whenever this transfer is felt necesary we inform you.

The school follows the new framework for the National Numeracy Strategy. The children are taught through a progressive programme of study from Year 3 to Year 6, with an emphasis on mental calculations and with regard to the expectation and targets set for their age group nationally.

We're currently using MyMaths.co.uk to bring maths to life for the children in a fun and interactive way.  For more information on this learning resource click on the link below:

Use MyMaths.co.uk

SCIENCE

Children are curious about the world they live in from an early age. The teaching of science enables children to develop their natural curiosity and to build on earlier experiences of the world around them. Sciences provides children with knowledge and contributes to a greater understanding of the way things work.

We aim to develop the children's scentific skills through a hands-on approach wherever possible. The children are given opportunities to observe, experience and explore the world about them. They use this experience to develop their understanding of key scientific ideas and make links between ideas. Children are encouraged to think creatively and critically about science. They are taught the practical skills needed to investigate questions safely and to record their findings in a systematic way.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

ICT was recognised by Ofsted in our last inspection as a strength of the school and we are certainly proud of the standard that the children reach by the time they leave us. The children are well-equipped for life in their secondary school.

The school has two computer suites fitted with up-to-date equipment as well as a dedicated interactive whiteboard area for whole class teaching activities. All teaching rooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, which are networked and linked to the Internet. The hall has a projector and screen for use in school assemblies and an additional Internet connection enables pupils to use the computer workstations in the library. These are excellent resources for the school and allow the children the opportunity to develop their computer skills in whole class sessions and teachers the opportunity to use the wealth of resources from the Internet to enhance their lessons.

At least an hour a week is timetabled for the teaching of ICT skills. Strong links with the rest of the curriculum allow children to further develop these skills in a purposeful way.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Through Religious Education the children are given opportunities to reflect on the nature and role of beliefs, the attitudes and values underpinning these, and the practices and behaviours that arise because of them. The children learn through a non-denominational syllabus. Through the teaching of RE, the children develop self-awareness, respect for others, open-mindedness, appreciation and wonder. A daily assembly is held either as a whole school, lower/upper key stage or as a class. We hold a special assembly every Friday when the children's achievements are recognised and celebrated.

Under the provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988, all parents have the right to withdraw their child from the school's daily act of worship or from Religious Education. Any parents wishing to exercise this right must do so by informing the Headteacher in writing.