The aim of this Infant School is to encourage and help each child to develop as an individual intellectually, socially and physically so that by the time the child leaves the Infant School he/she is able to mix happily with his/her peers, is prepared academically for the Junior School and has begun to understand the multi-cultural world in which we live.
Our aims can be implemented by providing a stimulating environment in which the children:-
- Are treated as individuals; special educational needs are identified as quickly as possible so that provision can be made.
- Are allowed as much freedon of speech, movement, choice of work etc as is practicable within a carefully planned/structured classroom situation.
- Are encouraged to be independent and show initiative.
- Work and play with others so that they have opportunities to develop their social skills.
Children learn through their experiences, from observations, from imitative behaviour, by being taught and by using and applying knowledge gained from specific or direct teaching.
The school provides a balanced curriculum and develops the work of individual children according to their age and ability. Particular emphasis is placed upon English, Mathematics and Science - the three core subjects in the National Curriculum.
Reading is taught carefully and systematically to all children in order that they develop the skills they will need to read with fluency and understanding. There is a well established and growing collection of books of all kinds and this plays a vital part in the work of the school. Children are able to borrow books.
A clear and legible style of handwriting is taught. Children write on a wide variety of topics and develop the ability to spell and punctuate. They are encouraged to discuss ideas and to communicate clearly with others in both speech and writing. A good deal of children's writing develops from topic work.
Mathematics follows the National Curriculum Programmes of Study. A large part of mathematical work is practical and this helps children to understand mathematical concepts.
Science can be described as a way of finding answers to questions we ask about the world around us.
It is mainly concerned with a) the living things on the earth - plants and animals, b) the materials of the earth - air, water, rocks etc. and c) the forms of energy available to us - heat, electricity etc. In finding answers to questions about these things knowledge is gained. To an infant school child the scientific process is the natural, practical way of finding answers to questions or problems.
Children can share their discoveries in a variety of ways - through speech, dramatic movements, by arranging collections of specimens in particular ways, through drawings, writing or construction models, graphs, maps and charts.
These communications can reveal to teachers both the extent of the children's understanding and the ideas they have not grasped and so indicate whether some repetition should be offered. Health Education is part of the Science provision but lessons are not provided on Sex Education.
The curriculum also includes the National Curriculum Foundation subjects of Geography, History, Technology, Art, Music and P.E. These subjects can best be taught largely in the context of the work already in progress in the Core Subjects. For example History or Geography can be taught using mathematical knowledge, practising writing skills, reading and so on.
Working in this way, teachers integrate or link the various subject disciplines through a focus upon a particular topic. Technology is often included in work of a Scientific nature and also in Design. Each child has access to a computer.
Art involves painting, college, modelling - using clay, cardboard boxes and papier-mache, simple needlework and puppet making. Children have opportunities to listen to and enjoy good music, to take part in group singing and to play a variety of percussion instruments, including tuned percussion. Music, movement and drama are often linked.
The hall is well equipped with large apparatus and the Physical Education programme includes gymnastics, games and dance from which the necessary skills are developed.
Our aim in Religious Education is to introduce the children to an understanding of the nature of the Christian Religion. We also hope to help the children understand other peoples religions so that they may appreciate the religious and cultural diversity of our society.
Moral teaching is part of the Religious Education programme at this school and we feel that it should be an integral part of the School Curriculum.