Curriculum
The school follows the National Curriculum for children in Years 1 – 6 and the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance for children in the EYFS.
Curriculum Statement
Inspire, Believe, Achieve
September 2014 saw the introduction of the new national curriculum. At St George’s each member of our dedicated team has been involved in designing a curriculum that provides enriching and exciting learning experiences for the children. Through the curriculum and wider enrichment opportunities we aim to lay a firm foundation for future learning and prepare pupils for the challenges they may face in each phase of education and growing up in today’s society. We seek to provide a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum and offer a wide range of exciting, challenging activities and experiences to all pupils irrespective of ability, background, ethnic origin or gender.
We acknowledge that people learn in many different ways and we recognise the need to develop strategies that allow all children to learn in ways that suit them. Opportunities are planned to cater for a range of different learning styles to ensure that all children can access the curriculum and learn in a way that is best for them.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In the Foundation Stage, a variety of structured play and practical activities are planned to help children work towards completing the EYFS Profile. Attainment is based on ongoing observation and assessment in the three prime and four specific areas of learning, and the three characteristics of effective learning:
Prime areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
Specific areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive arts and design
Characteristics of effective learning:
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically
The framework can be found here Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Schools. We teach this framework through topics that excite the children; we plan together and teach inspiring activities according to their needs and interests.
Key Stage 1 and 2
At Key Stage 1 and 2, children have a daily English and Mathematics lesson.
As a school, we recognise the importance of reading for all children and therefore, have a comprehensive and thorough approach to the teaching of reading across the school including, daily phonics lessons in KS1 and Guided Reading throughout the school. The school follows the (ELS) Essential Letters and Sounds scheme of work for phonics and uses a mixture of Oxford Reading Tree, Collins and Rigby reading schemes. Writing is taught through a book-based approach, as much as possible, in order to provide purpose and audience for the children. Grammatical accuracy is embedded in the teaching of writing but also as a discrete element of the English curriculum.
The new Mathematics curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils become fluent in the fundamental areas of Mathematics including the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. Children at St George’s are taught to reason mathematically, solve problems and apply their mathematical skills in a variety of real life contexts.
In addition to English and Mathematics, children are taught to develop their skills, understanding and creativity in Science, Computing, History, Geography, Design Technology, Music, Art, Physical Education and Religious Education (which is based on the locally agreed syllabus). Additionally, French is taught in Key Stage 2. Peripatetic music tuition is also provided for children in Key Stage 2.
PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) forms an integral part of the curriculum at St George’s. It helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. All members of staff are committed to encouraging the children to develop knowledge of right and wrong and to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
Children are taught about the community in which they live and are encouraged to work in co-operation with other members of the school community. Supporting charities, both local and further afield, is encouraged. All children are expected to undertake appropriate responsibilities within the class and school, e.g. caring for the classroom/school environment, participating in class assemblies, becoming a member of a committee and participating in inter-house competitions.
We aim to develop children’s enjoyment, confidence and skill in physical activity and introduce them to the pleasures of sport in order to help develop active children who benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Through a multi-skills approach, children develop their skills in football, netball, rugby, hockey, rounders and cricket, as well as athletics, gymnastics, dance and swimming.
We enhance and enrich the curriculum through a variety of activities including educational visits, school performances, visitors to school, after school clubs, inter-school competitions and have great links with local Chesil Education Partnership.
St George’s 2014 curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of all our children. Many topics are brought together, where possible, and taught in a cross-curricular way, to maximise the use of time but also to make experiences more meaningful and provide children with a real context for learning. There is a diverse range of ICT equipment and software which means that ICT is an integral part of many teaching and learning experiences.
Assemblies
We build in opportunities to promote the spiritual, moral and cultural development of all our pupils, especially through our daily acts of Collective Worship and our Religious Education scheme of work. Children are encouraged to develop their own beliefs. Throughout our assemblies, we deliver the JIGSAW scheme of work supported by assemblies that promote a healthy lifestyle, staying safe, being good citizens, etc.
Weekly key stage assemblies provide a time to address any whole school issues, along with a weekly celebration assembly to acknowledge success, both in and out of school.
Homework
Homework is used to extend school learning and also encourages children as they get older to develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study on their own. It provides opportunities for parents and pupils to work together and to enjoy learning experiences.
Extra-curricular clubs
We are very proud of the wide range of extra-curricular clubs we are able to offer at St. George’s. These are run after school and at lunch times and are all well attended. Most clubs are run by our dedicated teachers and teaching assistants but we also have some clubs run by external coaches, for which there is sometimes a small fee. Our sports teams compete regularly against other schools within the Chesil Partnership and South-West Dorset.
Clubs which have been available in the last year have included:
art, athletics, chess, computer, cricket, gymnastics, felt-making, football, homework, library, netball, and tag-rugby.
At St. George’s we are trialing a breakfast club for up to 18 Pupil Premium children. Iguanas is a club held at lunchtime and run by a dedicated teachers for children who struggle with play times and/or their own self-esteem.
Home-school links
We firmly believe that the education of the children is a partnership between children, staff and parents. Support from home is vital in maximising children’s chances of fulfilling their potential. In order to facilitate this partnership, we offer an open-door policy where parents are welcome to visit school to discuss their children’s progress with staff at a mutually convenient time. Each class has two parents’ meetings per year and reports are sent home at the end of the summer term.
In summary, our school curriculum aims to inspire each pupil and give them the self-belief needed to ultimately achieve their full potential!
Please see the curriculum enrichment map below for extra enrichment activities on offer.