Curriculum
The curriculum is at the heart of what we do at our school. We aim to ensure that throughout their time with us, the pupils will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of all curriculum subjects as well as a diverse range of skills and, that they will be exposed to a breadth of experiences and different concepts which they can then link and apply to their learning both in and out of school. Furthermore, we hope to instil in our pupils a life-long love of learning. We take a very active hands-on approach to learning, encouraging pupils and adults to engage themselves with the school’s wonderful rural location. This year we aim to develop the curriculum further to ensure pupils are receiving a fun, broad and balanced education which goes beyond focusing on test results.
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Subjects
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- Literacy
We believe that all pupils deserve to achieve a high standard of literacy: reading, writing, speaking and listening. These key skills are then transferred to all other areas of the curriculum. The pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 have daily literacy lessons. Reading focuses on the key skill of comprehension, teaching pupils how to fully engage with text. Pupils in Reception and Key Stage 1 are taught literacy through letter and sound play schemes and phonics lessons; the Oxford Reading Tree Scheme is used to support their reading. Phonics is also taught in Key Stage 2, if necessary. Writing is promoted as a thinking tool, not just as a medium for sharing information; pupils receive weekly lessons enabling them to engage in extended writing. Many opportunities are given to pupils to use ‘Talk’ as a thinking tool, as well as a method of sharing their understanding. Drama also forms part of our literacy curriculum; activities are used to develop confidence, explore the meaning of text and to rehearse writing.
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- Numeracy
We believe that having a good, sound, basic knowledge and understanding of numeracy and the ability to use mental strategies for solving problems, are key to pupils feeling confident about all aspects of mathematics. These skills can then be applied by pupils across the whole curriculum. Numeracy lessons are timetabled daily in Key Stages 1 and 2. We base our mathematics curriculum on the Collins Maths Scheme but, we do also use other resources such as Maths of the Day by the BBC, and the White Rose Maths Hub. Our teaching methods include presenting pupils with mathematical challenges, working individually, in pairs or small groups as appropriate. We also apply an active approach to mathematics, encouraging pupils to get out of their seats to engage in and solve problems. Further information about mathematics at our school can be found in the following document:
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- Science
Our science curriculum has been developed over the last two years to allow more opportunities for pupils to carry out investigations, both independently and in small groups. Although we have a well-resourced science laboratory, much use is made of the school grounds and the local area to provide an exciting environment for learning and, to allow pupils to participate in fieldwork. The pupils in Year 5 participate annually in the science fair at the Royal Latin Grammar School and we have been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (Silver Level).
- ICT
ICT is used effectively across the curriculum. Pupils are provided with many opportunities to research, manipulate and share information and, to use ICT to measure and make things; they are also encouraged to assess their own use of ICT and that of others. Digital microscopes, measuring devices, digital cameras, laptop computers and interactive whiteboards are just some of the ways in which pupils gain hands-on experience. We are always trying to improve our ICT provision to ensure the very best opportunities are available for our pupils.
- Religious Education & Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)
As a Church of England school, we place high importance on learning from and about Christianity, in addition to other world religions. In order to engage pupils and allow them to gain a broad understanding of religion, we use a variety of stimuli such as educational visits to places of worship. Pupils can then relate what they learn to their own experiences. There is a strong link between RE and PSHE, helping pupils to make sense of the decisions they have to make in their daily lives. At our school we encourage pupils of all faiths to share their beliefs and throughout the year we invite parents and religious leaders to contribute to the life of the school. We have adopted the Local Authority’s agreed RE syllabus. Whilst we accept the right of parents to withdraw their children from RE, we aim for everyone to be a part of our inclusive experience.
- Physical Education
Our vision is that every pupil enjoys sport and develops a life-long positive attitude towards their own health and well-being. Through PE and sport, we aim to:
- Improve fitness, health and well-being.
- Encourage regular and active participation in sport.
- Enable each pupil to achieve their full potential.
The values, discipline and teamwork associated with sport are paramount in helping the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of pupils, in addition to supporting other areas of the curriculum.
Play leaders encourage Key Stage 1 and EYFS pupils to actively participate in sport by offering them a variety of fun lunchtime activities and games. Additionally, pupils from all year groups are encouraged to organise their own lunchtime clubs, resulting in a huge range of activities from cheerleading to football. There are also a number of other extra-curricular sports clubs led by staff, volunteers and external agencies: football, multi-skills, hockey, dance, martial arts, netball, athletics, rounders and Change4Life clubs (skipping and running). Living Streets is a UK based charity which supports everyday walking and this year we are participating in their Walk to School scheme, encouraging pupils and parents to do a 10 minute walk to school every day. Our summer term always culminates in an exciting sports day where pupils display incredible sportsmanship and team work.
In collaboration with schools in Waddesdon, we have participated in several festivals. We have also entered teams competitively in a number of different sports: athletics, Quicksticks hockey, 7-a-side football, rounders, swimming, basketball, netball, dodge-ball, multi-skills, cross-country running, tennis and cricket. Most notably, we finished 4th out of 42 schools in the Key Stage 2 Buckinghamshire Dance Extravaganza finals; a fantastic achievement making us all very proud!
Furthermore, this year we were awarded the Gold Sports Mark, a government led award for acknowledging all our hard work and commitment to the development of competition across the school and into the community. Well done Quainton Primary School!
- Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Our main focus of learning modern foreign languages is for pupils to develop the ability to communicate orally and to instill an enthusiasm for languages. Weekly French lessons begin in Year 3 and continue on until Year 6. Pupils in Key Stage 1 have the opportunity to learn French at our after-school club.
- The Creative Curriculum
All other areas of the curriculum (history, geography, design & technology, art and music) are delivered through topic-based learning. This multi-disciplinary approach allows pupils to understand how concepts are often inter-related, transfer their skills from one subject to another and to engage in exciting learning activities which are not always possible when studying each subject discretely. We also take advantage of specialist teaching and educational visits to further enrich their learning.
For more information please contact the School's Office
Tel: 01296 655242
Email: office@quainton.bucks.sch.uk