CURRICULUM STATEMENT

At Paddox Primary School we endeavour to provide high quality teaching and learning in a stimulating environment, using a variety of teaching methods appropriate to the age of the child. We provide a well planned curriculum which:

•  Is broad and balanced, based on the requirements of the National Curriculum and the local syllabus for Religious Education.

•  Is stimulating and challenging, seeking to extend pupils' knowledge, skills and creativity in order to develop enquiring minds.

•  Is firmly committed to the principle of equality for all pupils and is relevant to the needs and interests of all pupils

•  Provides pupils with the means to develop their intellectual, physical and emotional potential.

•  Enables pupils to question, acquire self-knowledge and develop independence.

•  Helps pupils to develop self-esteem.

English

English is involved in every area of learning and is constantly taught and practised. We believe it is essential that children develop a love of books so we spend considerable time in the early years developing reading skills. We use a combination of methods including "Look and Say" and phonics. We welcome your help in supporting your child's reading.

It is important that children enjoy writing. We teach correct letter formation so that children develop a fluent, legible style of handwriting. Children are provided with a variety of reasons for writing and are encouraged to consider the audience for which they are writing. Grammar and spelling are taught to help children communicate successfully with their chosen audience.

We provide a rich, varied and stimulating, linguistic and literacy environment within which children will be enabled to develop their confidence and competence as the users of language.

Every class has a daily Literacy Hour with additional English lessons being taught. Guided reading takes place outside the Literacy Hour to ensure that higher order reading skills are taught.

If children need additional help with literacy, support programmes are used and in Year 6 booster sessions are offered.

Mathematics

Our aims in teaching mathematics are that all children should enjoy the subject and study it with confidence and a sense of achievement. We want our children to achieve a high standard of Numeracy and a range of other mathematical skills. We want them to apply these skills with confidence and know how to solve problems in everyday life. Our Mathematics involves work on number, measurement, pattern, and relationships between numbers, shape and handling data. We put a strong emphasis on mental mathematics and the practical exploration of strategies. All classes have a daily Numeracy Hour. Children in Key stage 2 work in sets for mathematics. Extra sessions are provided for gifted and talented pupils.

Science

Children are naturally curious about the world around them. They want to observe their world closely and to look for explanations about how things come to be, and how they work. We build on this natural curiosity through our science work so that children study such areas as living organisms, forces and energy, the natural world and materials we use. They make observations, ask questions, devise and undertake experiments and seek to interpret their findings.

Physical Education

Our school has two halls and extensive playing fields, which are marked out with suitable pitches. We also have a range of gymnastics and games apparatus. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop a range of skills during their time at our school and will take part in athletics, dance, games, gymnastics, swimming and outdoor activities.

Children in Year 3 attend swimming sessions at the Rugby Sports Centre. Older children learn football, cricket, hockey, rugby, cross-country, indoors athletics, athletics and netball.

After school and lunchtime sessions are offered every week. We have close links with Rugby Town Junior Football club and Northampton Town who offer coaching sessions to our children. We successfully participate in a variety of competitive matches and competitions in different sports. Parents are asked to send in a letter to the class teacher if their child is unable to participate in a PE lesson.

Music

We have two well-equipped music rooms. A music specialist teaches some lessons while other musical activities take place with the class teacher. Children have the opportunity to develop skills in performing and composing, and also in listening and appraising.

Peripatetic music teachers visit the school to teach children to play the recorder, violin, clarinet and flute. The Governor's Charging Policy with regard to instrumental tuition is available in school.

Art and Craft

Children are given the opportunity to use a wide variety of materials, to experiment and enjoy all aspects of art and craft. They are encouraged to use their imagination and to develop their critical skills. As they progress through the school they have opportunities to learn new skills and techniques. We use art to build confidence and to give our children a sense of achievement. We like our pupils to see their work on display and to take part in a number of art competitions.

The school has well-resourced art rooms on both sites. Each year artists come into school to teach the children new skills or to learn about art from other cultures.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

The school is a short distance from St. George's Church . Each year we take the children to church on a number of different occasions. We hope to develop in the children good moral and social behaviour and aim to give them knowledge of Christianity and an appreciation of other major world faiths. The school uses the Warwickshire Syllabus for Religious Education.

Assemblies are held every school day and contain an opportunity for collective worship. Parents and friends are welcome to join us on special occasions. During the year guest speakers are invited to lead our assemblies. Should any parents wish to exercise their right to withdraw their child from Religious Education, Assemblies or Sex Education, they should discuss this w ith the headteacher.

Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship

Our children's social development is very important to us. We value relationships and always try to celebrate success. Children's personal achievements are recorded in their celebration books. The school has the bronze Healthy Schools Award and is starting work on the silver level. We have an active School Council.

With the younger children members of staff answer questions from individual children on sex education, if they occur, on an informal basis. The governors have written a sex education policy, which can be seen on request. Sex Education is taught more formally to children at the top of Key Stage 2. Parents of older children are invited to view the sex education videos used in our curriculum. We teach Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship (PSHE & C) in line with government requirements. It is important to us that we teach our children to stay safe, keep fit and healthy and become good citizens who can grow up to achieve economic well being. We also have a detailed drugs policy.

Geography

Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of the world and their place within it, the local environment, its physical features and human impact upon it. They compare and contrast their local area with other areas in Great Britain , Europe and a developing country. Visits and field trips are arranged where possible.

History

Children gain an understanding of the world in which they live and how they arrived at their place in it. They learn to grasp the idea of chronological development, of cause and effect in history and change. Children study the effect of Invaders and Settlers, World War II and the Victorians, as well as local studies. Where it is at all possible, we attempt to bring history alive with visits to museums and historical sites; the use of documents; artefacts; eyewitness accounts and drama. The children also take part in special historical days at school when they are visited by a Roman soldier or Tudor characters.

Technology

The children learn skills of designing and making through the study of structures, mechanisms, electronics, food and textiles. They also learn about healthy eating.

Modern Foreign Languages

From September 2006 children in Key Stage 2 are all learning Spanish.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

All children are given the opportunity to learn the skills of data handling, word processing, controlling and modelling in our well-equipped ICT suites. The system is networked and connected to the Internet. All main school classes have lessons every week in the suites. The reception classes also have their own computers. Year 2,3 and 4 have interactive whiteboards and data projectors installed in classrooms as an additional learning tool. One more interactive whiteboard is also available for use by other classes. Year 5 and 6 classrooms have high quality digital resources to deliver interactive lessons within an enhanced learning environment.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

At Paddox we aim to provide equal opportunities and access to the curriculum for all children whatever their ability or physical needs. Most children will achieve success through their daily classroom experiences but some may need extra support at some time during their school lives. The school is developing its' facilities for disabled pupils each year as funding allows. New footpaths have been put in and the step by the front door of the Oak site has been removed in 2005-06 to allow better access.

We treat children as individuals and teachers are very adept at recognising the particular strengths and weaknesses of children in their class. Teachers provide programmes of work matched to individual needs. However, should a teacher feel that insufficient progress is being made the matter is discussed with the Special Needs Co-ordinator and more intensive support or further resources are made available if appropriate. Support at this level is guided by Individual Education Plans for the child and close liaison with parents. Sometimes help is sought from outside agencies such as the Special Educational Needs Support Service (SENSS), the Speech and Language Service (DISCS) or the psychology services.

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