THE WIDER CURRICULUM

PERSONAL, HEALTH AND SOCIAL EDUCATION

PHSE and Citizenship helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active and responsible citizens. The children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum. Pupils follow PHSE programme through a circle time session at least once a week. They are able to reflect on their own experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, and the importance of respect for others.

We follow the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning programme (SEAL) which is a structured, whole curriculum framework and resources for teaching, social, emotional and behavioural skills to all pupils. We also encourage the children to consider the 'Golden Rules' of behaviour, e.g. being honest, gentle, kind and helpful.

SEX EDUCATION

Sex education forms part of the Science curriculum and the Personal, Health and Social Education prgramme. The children will progressively learn about the main stages in the human lifecycle, the basic facts of the reporduction and physical and emotional changes. They will have opportunities to explore attitudes towards relationships and responsibilities, families and parenthood for example. In Year 6, children will be shown videos about 'Growing and Changing'. Appropriate preparation and follow-up discussion will accompany each programme. In line with current statutory regulations, parental consent will be sought before the videos are shown to the children.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

French has recently been introduced into the curriculum. Each class spends 30 minutes a week learning basic French vocabulary and phrases. This is reinforced with a 5-10 minute slot each day. The sessions include interactive activities on the whiteboard, singing songs and simple activities such as answering the register with a colour.

THEME WEEK

Theme Week is held in school once a year, when the children are regrouped into different classes throughout the school. This gives them the opportunity to work with other children and different teachers and to participate in a range of activities based on a theme.

LIBRARY

The school library is an exciting and stimulating place for children to work in. The facilities are augmented by two computers to help the children in their work. We would like to offer your child the opportunity to borrow reading books from our school or class libraries to read at home. These are books for your child to read for pleasure and the child may choose any book they like. We hope that all children will find books that they can read, but sometimes they may bring home books that are either too easy or too difficult for them to read. This is still a valuable learning experience, especially if you share the books with your child both by reading together and by talking about the story. We want to encourage your child to enjoy a wide range of books. There is further guidance for hearing your child read in the school log book.

Books borrowed by the children are issued via a computer check out system for two weeks.

HOMEWORK

Homework in primary schools is part of the government's national requirement to support improving standards. In order to encourage children to work and learn independently and follow up classroom activities, all children are given regular homework. For example, the children may be asked to practice basic number tables, reinforce spelling rules, read their reading books to you or independently, or follow up class work. They may also be asked to catch up on work which they have missed due to illness or holidays. Each year group has its own timetable. A weekly homework club has been set up after school for children to provide extra support.

EXTRA CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

A number of clubs and activities take place outside the normal school session. Some are held at lunch times and others after school. These are undertaken voluntarily by members of the school staff in their own time. Children are invited to join a club and then selected according to availability of places and/or particular aptitude.

On occasions it may be necessary to cancel clubs at short notice because of staff absence, or poor weather conditions. It should therefore not be assumed that a child who normally takes part in an activity will be late home on the activity day. We will, of course, try to give advance notice of cancellation. The school's responsibility for children ends after the school activity. For children staying after school you will be asked to sign a permission slip for your child/children to take part in a particular club.

Here are some examples of the clubs and activities available to your child during the year:

Athletics

Art

Choir

Computer

Football

Games

Netball

Gymnastics

Badminton

Eco Club

SPORT

Children are given the opportuntiy to take part in a variety of sports both in curriculum time and in extra curriculum activities. Children gain in their personal skills, and interest in a variety of sports, by having opportunities to participate in competitions against other schools individually or within teams.

We run a number of teams which take part in regular matches against other schools, in friendly, league and cup competitions. We also offer a number of other opportunities at certain times of the year such as rounders, cross-country, hockey, athletics coaching for the area sports and cricket coaching.

We are fortunate in having a purpose built gymnasium which provides the opportunity to continue activities throughout the year. The playground has recently been marked and painted with an anti-slip surface to provide two netball courts and a five-a-side football pitch. We have some very well qualified staff trained to coach a wide variety of sports. We also welcome the support of any parents who are able to offer assistance or expertise in any sports.

THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

At Grass Royal, we recognise the importance of the pupil voice and want to make them part of the decision process. We also believe that providing pupils with opportunities to be involved in responsible ways helps them to learn how to become responsbile citizens. The school has an elected School Council and has representatives from each year group. The children meet to put forward new ideas and suggestions, which they feedback to their year groups.

The roles and responsibilities of the School Council include, for example: organising the playground equipment and rota; assisting in the interview process for a Parent Support Advisor for our school; showing prospective parents/teachers around our school.

RESIDENTIAL VISITS

Residential trips are arranged for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils to enhance their experiences of the National Curriculum.

The total cost of the trip will include board and lodgings' transport, admission fees, tuition and supervision fees and a daily insurance premium. A breakdown of the charges can be made available to parents on request. In the event of a child being unable to participate due to financial circumstances, parents are requested to speak to the Headteacher in confidence.

DAY TRIPS

Each year group will arrange day trips throughout the year to enhance the quality of learning in a variety of subjects. Each trip will include the cost of transport, admission fees, instruction or tuition fees and insurance where applicable. Parents will be informed of the total cost of the trip and a full breakdown of these costs can be made available to them on request.

Voluntary contributions will be required to ensure that the visits will take place. A return date will specify when the money required to finance the trip should be paid to the school.

CHANGING AND REMISSIONS POLICY

Overall Aim:

A fundamental principle of the Charging and Remissions Policy for Grass Royal School is that all parents, regardless of personal circumstances will be treated equally and will be invited to make contributions for day trips, residential trips and certain in-school activities.

There is no obligation to contribute. Children of non-contributing parents/guardians will be treated no differently from children of contributing parents. Should insufficient funds be raised, however, the activities may be unable to take place and parents/guardians will be informed accordingly.