The Curriculum

We endeavour to make the curriculum as stimulating as possible for our children. Elements of the curriculum are linked as far as possible in order to practise, consolidate and reinforce skills learned across the whole curriculum.

Lessons are planned, in detail, by the teaching staff for the separate primary age groups based on the core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum.

The Literacy and Numeracy Strategies are taught daily providing both pace and challenge for our children. We work hard to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which includes many varied and exciting opportunities.

Our Computer Suite enables our children to have taught input for developing Information Communications Technology skills, which the children are then able to apply to developing other elements of the curriculum. In addition each class contains its own computer and interactive whiteboard. All Children also have access to laptop computers via our portable networked trolley.

Attainment

At Hartwell CE Primary School we pride ourselves on the consistently high standards achieved by our children. On entering school the children are assessed providing us with important Information to help to plan for each individual’s learning and personal development. The children are then tracked throughout school using a variety of strategies which help us to set individual targets, modify our planning when necessary and provide a more in depth understanding of the pace at which each child is developing.

Children with Special Needs

We follow the Local Education Authority’s ‘Code of Practice’ for Special Needs. We work closely with parents, external agencies and the information we have from tracking our pupils’ attainment. We use individual educational programmes for planning which identify targets, appropriate organisation of support and resources to help the child. Special Needs also refers to more able children and we strongly believe in the importance of challenging children and enabling them to achieve to their greatest potential.

Worship

The act of collective worship forms an important part of each school day. Our programme of assemblies and worship supports the continuing development of our school aims and ethos by:

reaffirming the Christian ethos of our school
contributing to the children’s understanding of the nature of God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ
providing our children with appropriate support to develop their individual thoughts and beliefs
introducing important stories, prayers, bible stories as elements of Christian belief contributing to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all children
providing opportunities for reflection and personal growth
appreciating that people differ and approaching related issues in a spirit of openness preparing for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life

Religious Education

We are a Church of England School and Christianity is the basis of all religious teaching. We use the Local Education Authority’s agreed syllabus for the teaching and planning of Religious Education.

Through our curriculum and worship we also encourage an awareness of the beliefs and cultures of our multi-faith society. We share a variety of resources with the children, giving them time to develop their understanding and time to reflect upon issues of daily life.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from R.E. lessons and our daily act of worship. If parents do wish their child to be withdrawn they are asked to discuss the arrangements with the head teacher.

Extra Curricular activities

We offer a wide range of club activities for children in Years 1 to 6. These take place during lunctimes and after school. Details of these are made known to the children and parents. Teachers and parents volunteer their time for these activities and children who join are expected to show commitment. We also use outside providers for activities such as basketball, dance, tennis and football. Parents are asked to make payment for these sessions.

Peripatetic Music

We also offer the children a broad range of specialist instrumental teaching. At present this includes: strings, guitar, brass, woodwind and drums. Again parents are asked to fund the employment of specialist teachers from the peripatetic music service if they would like their children to benefit from this teaching.

Homework

Homework is set regularly each week by the class teacher. More detailed information is sent to parents in a termly homework letter. Some parents may like to talk with the class teacher about other suggestions for activities which they may like to help their child with at home.

We are sometimes asked to give homework to children who are absent owing to illness. If children are absent for this reason then really they should be resting rather than doing school work. However, if they are off because of injury e.g. broken leg or convalescing after a hospital stay then teachers will send some work home of a consolidation/revision type.

We are also asked on occasion to provide work for children who are taking holidays during term time. We are not able to do this and the school time is effectively lost and must be regarded as an unfortunate aspect of term time holidays.