Overview
Our school stands by our strap headline Achieving the Best for All. We are a learning community and striving for excellence in all that we do.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced to allow children the opportunity to access knowledge and skills. We have used the national curriculum and our expertise, and of others, to map out the key knowledge for each subject area. These ensure that we develop both coverage and progression in the curriculum for KS1 and KS2.
During the time children spend with us, we are there to inspire, impart, facilitate and value learning; encourage good relationships and compassion for others; and build confident children who grow and embrace challenges.
Please find North Waltham School LTP below.
A guide for parents on the National Curriculum.
English:
Our English curriculum is planned to develop the basic skills of reading, writing and speaking and listening. We believe in immersing our children in texts through reading and analysing the skills of an expert writer. This is important as through this emersion, children become aware of the language skills of a writer and use this as a model for their writing. Using this model, children develop greater competence in the conventions of spelling, punctuation, sentence structures and text organisation. Children regularly use role-play and a range of drama opportunities across the school to develop speaking and listening opportunities as well as aiding talk for writing.
Reading:
We recognise that learning to read is one of the most important things that children can learn in school as it is fundamental to accessing all areas of learning and functioning in today’s society. Therefore, reading is given a high priority at North Waltham Primary School, enabling the children to become enthusiastic, independent and reflective readers across a wide range and types of literature, including different text types and genres, book, posters, magazines, signs and newspapers.
- Children are encouraged to read aloud and to share a book and to become immersed in language, hearing and experiencing a wide range and depth of language.
- We use Read, Write Inc as our phonics scheme
- Reception and Year 1 follow the Read, Write, Inc phonics programme which teaches children to read accurately and fluently with good comprehension. They learn to form each letter, spell correctly, and compose their ideas step-by-step. Reading books are matched to the letter and sounds children are learning for that week.
- Reception and Year 1 take home High Frequency words to practice reading them aloud.
- We have a well -stocked library and children have timetabled library sessions each week.
- Children take home reading books matched to their reading ability.
- Reading challenges (such as Reading Bingo) and competitions from the local library promote reading at home and support reading for pleasure and a life-long love of reading.
- Children will be read to and be heard read by teachers, other adults and each other during English sessions and at many other times during the school week.
Phonics:
Please click on this link to find more information on our Phonics Scheme Read Write Inc
https://www.northwaltham.hants.sch.uk/Curriculum/Phonics/
Writing:
- The children write every day, rehearsing out loud what they want to say, before spelling the words using the graphemes and ‘tricky’ words they know.
- They practise handwriting every day: they learn correct letter formation and how to join letters speedily and legibly. Handwriting sheets go home for Reception children to help letter formation and to support further recognition of sounds.
- Children’s composition (ideas, vocabulary and grammar) is developed by drawing on their own experiences and talking about the stories they read.
- Children get to write in a variety of contexts- including in discreet English lessons and across foundation subjects.
Writing and Grammar Progression Overview
Spelling:
- Spelling is taught through the development of Phonemic, morphological and etymological knowledge.
- Spelling Shed is used for homework from year 1 onwards to help secure these spelling patterns at home.
Mathematics:
We teach Mathematics in a way which allows children to develop their understanding. The school is currently implementing the ‘Mastery ‘approach. Mastering maths means pupils acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject.
Children’s chances of success are maximised if they develop deep and lasting understanding of mathematical procedures and concepts.
For a copy of the methods taught please see links KS1 & KS2
Click on the class groups for our maths objectives:
Science:
We aim to teach Science through developing scientific enquiry and key knowledge. The school encourages pupils to develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about the scientific world around them.
Science Learning Journey North Waltham
Computing and ICT:
The school has an extensive range of ICT resources including a bank of 33 laptops, digital cameras and an interactive whiteboard in each classroom.
Religious education:
R.E is taught in accordance with the Hampshire County Council’s ‘Living Difference’ document. Children are given the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of many different religions alongside Christianity.
PE:
PE is taught by our class teachers and supported by specialist coaches during the course of the year e.g. rugby, hockey and tennis. We teach fundamental movement skills, and provide opportunities to extend our pupil’s agility, balance and coordination. Team games and skills are taught that enable our pupils to communicate, collaborate and compete with each other. We develop an understanding of how to improve in different physical activities and sports and our pupils learn how to evaluate and recognise their own successes. We also use sport and physical activity to teach children leadership and initiative, and to help them develop social and team building skills.
Music:
Hampshire Music Service provide music lessons to children in years 3 to 6. The children learn a range of instruments and perform termly to parents. In addition, music is incorporated into our curriculum where relevant and we have a weekly whole school singing assembly.
KS1 use Musical Express scheme of work.
History & Geography
Please see the links below to our History and Geography Long Term Plans and rationales.
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
KS2 History Overview
Art:
We aim to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Our intent is for the children to be aware of artists.
Design Technology:
Design and Technology is a creative, skilled and practical subject. Using originality and imagination, pupils will design and make products that solve real and appropriate problems. At North Waltham Primary School, we aim to offer a challenging, meaningful and engaging Design and Technology curriculum. Pupils will be exposed to the following skills: design, construction, cooking and nutrition, use of tools, exploring mechanisms, electrical systems and evaluating existing products.
PSHE:
At North Waltham Primary School, the personal and social development of the children is at the heart of the PSHE curriculum. We aim to equip pupils with a mature understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions.
We aim for children to understand how to self-regulate in order to keep their bodies safe and healthy. Children will understand the decisions needed to promote the wellbeing of themselves and others. We endeavour to encourage children to see alternative perspectives within the local and the wider community.
Understanding Relationships and Health Education in your child's primary school: a guide for parents
Languages:
Please see the link below to our French Long Term Plan which has been created with advice and support from our local feeder secondary school.
Special needs:
There are some occasions that many children will need special help to overcome a learning difficulty or to ensure that the curriculum fully extends their abilities. Overseen by the SENCO, teachers and teaching assistants support some children in small groups or on a one to one basis as required.
Early Years Foundation Stage:
The Early Years Foundation Stage is a framework for children up to the age of five, setting out six key areas of learning around which activities should be based. We have also create aspirations for our children detailing twhat we hope they will achieve at the end of their Reception year with us.
North Waltham Reception Aspirations