National Curriculum: English
Mathematics
Science
Information Technology
Design and Technology
History
Geography
Art
Music
Physical Education
In addition your child will study Religious Education.
Curriculum Information
It is the aim of Ferndale Primary School, with the
support of parents, governors and other agencies, to provide for all pupils the
best possible education. The curriculum is constantly revised and amended so
that it is appropriate to the needs and abilities of all pupils, and meets the
requirements of the National Curriculum.
Children’s progress is monitored carefully and individual records are kept for all National Curriculum subjects. A portfolio of assessed work is kept for each child. It is regularly updated to show progress, attainment and continuity. A written report is sent to parents during the Summer Term.
The curriculum for each year group is planned and delivered in the following manner:
Programmes of study are laid down (by statute) in each National Curriculum subject and are used by staff as a basis for the development of our scheme of work.
Our schemes of work have been developed using the Q.C.A./ D.F.E.S. guideline documents
Each year group will study its topic for half a term or a term.
Our topics are chosen carefully to ensure progressive development throughout each key stage of the curriculum.
Using this approach does help children to understand the relevance of subject areas. Some time will be allocated to single subject teaching in order to develop knowledge, skills, and combine a particular area.
English:
It is an aim at Ferndale to develop children’s command of the essential skills of :
This area of the curriculum is undertaken through the Literacy Hour.
Our teaching seeks to develop children’s understanding of the spoken word and the capacity to express themselves effectively in a variety of speaking and listening activities which would include:
Speaking with confidence, fluency and clarity.
Listening with attention and understanding.
The ability to give and respond to information and instruction.
All to be set against a background of enjoyment and pleasure.
Our teaching seeks to provide experiences which:
Develop the ability to read, understand and respond to all types of writing, as well as develop information retrieval strategies for the purpose of study.
Develop the ability to construct and convey meaning in written language, matching style and purpose.
Develop the conventional ways of forming letter shapes to foster a comfortable, fluent and legible handwriting style.
Teach children how to spell words that occur frequently in their own writing and those which exemplify spelling patterns.
Encourage children to use a dictionary for checking their own work and a thesaurus to enrich vocabulary.
Reading:
Throughout the school reading is given a high priority. In early years children are encouraged in pre-reading activities, an enjoyment of books and in visits to the library. As children develop they are given every opportunity to establish and improve reading strategies and skills. A careful check is made on children’s progress.
Parents are encouraged to hear children read and to share books with them
and this supports the regular supervised reading tuition in school.
Besides a wide range of books available in all classrooms there is a well stocked library.
Mathematics:
Mathematics teaching follows the Numeracy Strategy . We aim to fulfil the requirements of National Curriculum in order to help equip children with the skills needed for living in an ever-changing society.
Children are provided with wide and varied experiences of number work, measuring activities, shape and space, algebra and data-handling. The use of calculators and computers is also encouraged.
Great emphasis is put upon problem solving and investigative work which gives children an opportunity to put their mathematical skills into practice and to develop an enquiring mind. Above all children are encouraged to enjoy maths.
Science:
Science has an important place in the Curriculum and the school has developed a policy to ensure that the requirements of the National Curriculum are met. Our scheme, based on the Q.C.A. guidelines, and is designed to allow each child to reach his/her own level of attainment.
Breadth of learning is ensured by cross-curricular links to our topics for both key stages. An active learning approach is fostered to ensure the vitality and excitement in our approach towards science.
Assembly and R.E.:
An act of worship is observed every day, which is broadly Christian. The school assembly is seen as important in engendering a community spirit amongst children, staff and visitors. Parents and friends are invited regularly.
R.E. lessons are also provided every week and reflect the multicultural society in which we live. If parents wish their child to be excluded from all or part of assembly or R.E. lessons they should make a written request to the Head Teacher. Parents should provide appropriate materials for their child if removed from assembly. A member of staff would monitor them to ensure they are safe during R.E. lessons, the child would be placed in another class with other work.
Arrangements are made to accommodate children not taking part in R.E. lessons or in assembly due to parents exercising their right to withdraw their children.
Children with Special Needs:
The school complies with the Code of Practice, in which the Department for Education outlines the responsibilities of the Local Education Authority and the school for children with special educational needs. Ferndale is an Enhanced Learning Provision school and has 9 designated places for children with moderate learning difficulties and 4 Autistic places.
Each child’s progress is monitored carefully and programmes of work or behavioural support are prepared to meet the needs of individual children. Parents are involved in regular discussions regarding the support and together a positive attitude is fostered within the classroom.
Help and advice is available from the designated teacher for Special Needs and also the Sandwell Advisory and Support Service.
The school has a wide range of resources that are available for staff use. These resources enable support to be given to individual children within the classroom situation.
Last year the school fully met the expectation of the Governors regarding Special Needs and continues to be an Extended Learning Provision School.
Sex Education:
The Governors have adopted the Local Education Authority’s policy on sex education. The policy statement states that sex education should be given in such a manner as to encourage pupils to have close regards to moral considerations and the value of family life. It is started informally with the younger children but more formal talks take place with the older pupils, especially regarding health and hygiene. For this purpose close links with the school nurse have been formed.
If parents wish their child to be withdrawn from all or part of the sex education provided they should make a written request to the Head Teacher and alternative arrangements would be negotiated.
Homework:
There is a Homework Policy. The work load varies for different age groups, although children are encouraged to learn spellings and tables and to read regularly and widely at home.
Sporting Aims:
At Ferndale children are encouraged to develop an interest in sporting activities.
We aim to :
Sporting Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-Curricular Activities:
Several clubs are run by the staff and parents to further enhance
the children’s learning. Information on these are sent out to
parents . There are also visiting peripatetic teachers to teach the flute, clarinet, violin and steel pans.
Of-site Education in Ferndale is used to enrich the curriculum in a variety of ways. It may be a walk or study in the immediate neighbourhood or the Sandwell Valley or a stay away from home at one of the Sandwell Residential Centres.
The Local Education Authority safety guidelines are carefully observed and insurance cover is acquired where necessary. Parents may take out additional insurance cover if they wish.