St. Mary’s Curriculum Information
Dear Parents/Carers,
At St Mary's we follow the statutory guidance of the New National Curriculum for all subjects. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum .
Each child is assessed termly in reading, writing and maths against the end of year expectations using the Assertive Mentoring system. http://www.assertivementoring.com/primary/primary-assertive-mentoring/ this informs all the adults working with your child what the next steps in their learning are.
For all of our foundation subjects we use the Cornerstones resources; these are fun and exciting and the children love learning through these topics.
Please see below an overview of our curriculum; with hyperlinks detailing each topic broken down into yearly objectives for each year group.
Literacy
At St. Mary’s, we recognise that language is a key building block in child development and we aim to equip each and every pupil with the literacy skills they need. This will allow them to enjoy reading for knowledge, as well as pleasure and enjoyment, and to write with a sense of purpose and audience. We also encourage our children to express themselves effectively and to listen and learn from each other.
As well as a school library, each class has an inviting book corner and the school has reading schemes for beginning readers. Guided reading takes place on a regular basis; for the children, these sessions include a mixture of teacher-led group work, follow up activities linked to the current group read, phonics work, independent reading and even some time to simply immerse themselves in books.
In Reception and Key Stage 1, parents are invited to take part in workshops to learn how we teach phonics in order for them to support and help their child at home with their reading. Reading with your child every day hugely improves their reading success and this is something we actively encourage at St. Mary’s. We use Oxford reading scheme across both KS1 and KS2 to teach our pupils to read. St Mary's uses Letters and Sounds Phonics System.
Through daily lessons, children learn the essentials of the English language such as phonics, spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence construction, together with the skills to help shape and organise texts. However, English is not just taught as discrete lessons but as part of our creative curriculum approach. We try to make learning fun and relevant by linking activities and experiences to other areas of the curriculum such as history, geography or science. Each year group has a different topic for each term and, wherever possible, teachers are encouraged to find fiction and non-fiction work linked to their topic area. St Mary's teach phonics using the Letters and Sounds framework,
At St. Mary’s, children are taught to listen well, speak clearly, read enthusiastically and write effectively for a wide range of purposes and audience. Children are supported and encouraged as they learn to express themselves creatively and imaginatively on their way to becoming enthusiastic and independent learners.
Maths
At St. Mary’s Primary School mathematics is taught in a daily lesson. Aspects of numeracy such as number and algebra, shape and space and measures, handling data and applying maths are covered each term. Wherever possible mathematics is taught as a practical and “hands-on” experience where real-life problem solving, puzzles, and more complex strategies are taught side-by-side. Cross-curricula links to other subjects are an important feature of numeracy and mathematics, not just through the use of ICT, science and technology, but also through literacy and humanities. From Reception to Year 6, we strive to develop an imaginative and creative approach to all forms of mathematics.
Science
At St. Mary’s we teach science in very hands-on way, allowing the children to explore the wonders of the world around them through investigation. We foster open minded thinking and encourage the children to make links in their knowledge and understanding, we do this by the use of mind maps and concept maps at the beginning and end of each topic where children can express their knowledge and understanding in words and/or pictures. This promotes discussion and allows children to express their reasoning to the rest of the class.
Wherever possible the children learn from first-hand experience and develop the ability to design an investigation and predict its outcome; to interpret the results; to become aware of making a test “fair”; to sort, group and describe objects according to their similarities and differences. The children are given opportunities to develop their skills in measurement and to record their results systematically.
We are well resourced and are fortunate that our playground has an allotment and a wilderness walk which we are developing.
Science Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
ICT
The ICT in St. Mary’s covers a wide range of disciplines from basic word processing to creating simple computer games and apps. The children have access to class laptops.
There is an Interactive whiteboards in each classroom. ICT is taught discretely, with opportunities for integrating those skills in all subjects across the curriculum.
ICT Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
History
History is planned and taught as part of our creative, cross curricular approach to learning. During their work in history, children develop, use and apply the national curriculum key skills across a range of contexts. During their time here, they will have the opportunity to learn about people, places and key events at different times in the past, from The Ancient Egyptians to The Victorians and what life was like for children during World War Two.
Educational visits form a vital part of engaging children in History and examples of visits and workshops include Manchester Museum and Touchstones in Rochdale.
History Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
Geography
Geography is planned and taught as part of our creative, cross curricular approach to learning. During their work in geography, children develop, use and apply the National Curriculum key skills across a range of contexts. They are also given opportunities to carry out surveys and fieldwork. In line with our International Policy, children learn about and compare features of different localities.. We encourage our pupils to think as global citizens and to take responsibility for their impact on the environment through reducing waste, reusing and recycling.
Geography Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
Music
At St. Mary’s, Music has an important part to play in giving children opportunities to express themselves and develop new skills.
On a Wednesday we have a whole school singing assembly that is enjoyed by children and staff alike.
Music Objectives EYFS & KS1 (please click on the links)
Design Technology
Design Technology allows us to use our creative and scientific mind to produce pieces of art that have a purpose. We learn through experimenting, designing, drawing and testing to make fantastic working end products.
At St. Mary’s we use Design Technology throughout the curriculum and we make and design products such as Eyptian Death Masks in Year 6, Golidlocks and the Three Bears bowls in Year 1 and
DT Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
Art
The children are taught a wide range of skills and techniques with a variety of media. Through art our children gain an understanding and appreciation of the art forms and styles from other cultures and times. We encourage our children to develop their skills of observation and self -expression. The children’s art work is displayed prominently within the school and we seek out opportunities, within the local community to exhibit our children’s art.
Art Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
Religious Education
We are proud Church of England Primary School and we have very strong links with St. Mary’s Church.
We teach the world’s major religions: Christianity, Sikhism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. Our aim is that our children develop a respect for other people’s beliefs and gain a broad understanding of the world’s religions.
RE is taught in class and assemblies. RE is a compulsory subject, but parents have the right to withdraw their child and should see the Head of School to discuss the issue.
Personal, Social, Health Education (PHSE)
A strong emphasis is placed in developing children’s personal and social skills and promoting safety. This is done through aspects of topic work, visiting speakers, circle time in class and assemblies. In circle time we encourage children to listen to each other and respect each others point of view. We teach a range of topics, smoking, legal and illegal substances and sex education through a structured programme and in specific year groups.
PSHE Yearly overview
Autumn Term Theme
1, New Beginnings
2, Getting on and falling out
Spring Term
1, Say no to bullying
2, Going for goals
Summer Term
1, Good to be me
2, Relationships
St. Mary’s Garden has a very active School Council who play an important role in the school.
PSHE objectives per year group (please click on the link)
Physical Education and Games
We aim to give our children a varied programme of athletics, dance, netball, cricket, football and tag rugby. We have visiting coaches who teach the children specific skills. PE helps to show children how to maintain a healthy lifestyle alongside of having a healthy diet.
Children in KS2 have the opportunity to go swimming. We have a successful annual school sports day to which parents are invited.
PE Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
Modern Foreign Languages (French)
French is taught in school in KS2.
MFL (French) Objectives per year group (please click on the link)
