THE CURRICULUM
All children from year 3 to year 6 follow the National Curriculum in all areas including Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education. Religious Education and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development are also important elements of the school’s total curriculum. Cross curricula links are made whenever possible to enhance the learning and enjoyment of the pupils and will remain a priority for the school in the coming years.
The school’s curriculum is taught through a range of teaching methods depending on the child’s needs and preferred learning styles. Access to the curriculum is ensured for all children by providing an Individual Education Plan for those children with Special Educational Needs and by differentiation according to ability
Rice Lane Junior School offers a broad and balanced curriculum in accordance with
the requirements of the National Curriculum, which is designed to allow each child to achieve his/her potential.
We believe it is our duty to make lessons interesting and relevant for every child, with the content of the work correctly pitched to each ability level in the class – not so easy that the child becomes bored and insufficiently challenged, not so difficult that the child becomes frustrated.
The curriculum is under regular review in order that it may meet the demands of any new initiatives in a flexible and positive manner.
At Rice Lane Junior School we take a positive approach to equal opportunities in our teaching. Equal opportunities permeate all aspects of the formal and hidden Curriculum.
THE CURRICULUM
MATHEMATICS
Our approach to mathematics follows the Government’s National Primary Strategy.
A daily maths lesson is taught in all classes from years 3-6. Children are at present set in Maths.
Our aim is to encourage confidence and competence with using and applying mathematics, counting and understanding number; knowing and using number facts; calculations; understanding shape , measuring and handling data. We also seek to improve our children’s financial capabilities so they can leave our school with a solid basic mathematical knowledge which secondary schools can build on.
We believe that good mathematics’ teaching is lively, engaging and involves a carefully planned blend of approaches that directs children’s learning.
Children are challenged to think and use their skills and knowledge in cross curricula tasks.
ENGLISH
Children have daily Literacy lessons where they are taught the knowledge, skills and understanding set out in the National Curriculum.
Literacy permeates all aspects of school life and the skills of reading, writing, drama, discussion and speaking and listening are evident in all curriculum areas.
We maximise cross-curricula links to promote Literacy as a foundation to learning. In doing this, the children are encouraged to recognise the purpose and audience in writing and find enjoyment in reading.
We incorporate ‘Big Writing’ into our Literacy lessons. Big Writing is a programme that provides children with strategies to become independent and expert writers.
The Big Write works by focusing on the four key aspects of quality writing: vocabulary, connectives, openers, and punctuation.
We set talking homework, which is an opportunity for children to talk about what they are going to write in their Big Writing lesson such as plays, diaries, biographies, reports etc.
SCIENCE
All children are encouraged to explore, discuss and investigate the world around them and build on their experiences to develop broader concepts or scientific ideas. The curriculum of the school provides a broad and balanced programme of work, which fully covers all the requirements of the National Curriculum. We achieve this by planning the cycle of topics to achieve a balance within the year, and progression throughout the Key Stage.
All children are given equal opportunities to participate in scientific activities
At all times children will be encouraged to focus upon safety, to develop a respect for living things and a sense of responsibility towards the whole environment.
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
As ICT plays such an important part in our lives today, the children have the opportunity to develop skills involving information communication technology throughout their primary school years. We have at present 30 mobile laptops for use in discrete ICT lessons and for use in cross curricular learning. Laptops and the computers in each class are linked to the internet and the children are taught about Internet safety.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The school is a community primary school with no affiliation to any particular religious denomination. Religious and moral education is provided for all year groups as it is a compulsory subject.
The broad basis of the teaching is Christian but children are taught about other religions and cultures and to value and respect diverse beliefs and customs.
Biblical and other stories, which have a moral, giving insight into other people’s feelings, thoughts and attitudes, are used for school assemblies and R.E. lessons.
A daily active of collective worship or reflection is provided for all pupils. This is not distinctive of any particular denomination, but is broadly Christian.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from R.E. and collective worship by written request to the Headteacher.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
An aim of the school is to provide all pupils with the opportunity to participate in design technology activities. These activities will not be treated as isolated experiences but will be cross curricula.
Teachers will develop tasks which allow children to achieve all the attainment targets within familiar contexts. The tasks and activities used will be of a practical nature. Technology requires pupils to apply knowledge and skills to solve practical problems. Pupils will be taught to use materials economically, to work safely and hygienically. Technology provides an ideal vehicle for pupils to develop personal qualities and attitudes such as team work skills essential for later life.
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY
A thematic and topic approach is used to deliver the History and Geography curriculum. The aim is to raise awareness of environmental issues and citizenship through these subjects, whilst helping children understand how the past has shaped our present. We also raise awareness of ecological issues such as the effects global warming and pollution.
PSHE, RELATIONSHIP AND SEX EDUCATION
The school first qualified for the Liverpool Healthy School Award in July 2001 and was successfully reassessed for the award in July 2004. We attained National Healthy School’s Status in 2007 and are at present working towards the Enhanced Award.
PSHE (Personal and Social Health Education) and Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) are taught in the context of the Science curriculum and through specific lessons which also lead into aspects of citizenship. Parents are invited into school to view the materials we use with the pupils. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from aspects of RSE by requesting this in writing to the Headteacher.
We help children to develop with various emotions through the SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspect of Literacy).
Our Policies, which follow DCFS Guidelines for best practice, are contained in separate documents from this Prospectus, and are available for viewing by contacting the Headteacher.
OFSTED June 2009 found the provision of PHSE in our school to be outstanding:
‘Pupils’ personal development is excellent and pupils of all ages and abilities listen to each others views very respectfully’.
MUSIC
All children receive music lessons, and all have the opportunity to play percussion instruments.
Instrumental teaching provided by the Local Authority is available for a limited number of children who show an aptitude and interest in this direction. Parents are asked for a nominal voluntary charge towards the cost of these lessons.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Opportunity is given for the development of physical skills through Physical Education. Two hours of curriculum time is given to PE/games. Children are also able to participate in the many extra-curriculum activities provided by the school staff as well as early morning coaching provided by an external coach.
ART
Children experience working with a variety of mediums and processes, which structure their creativity and imagination and enable them to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings.
Children have the opportunity to study the work of a range of artists, sculptors and designers, both inside and outside of school, through trips to the Museums and Galleries.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND ENHANCED CURRICULUM
We recognise the importance of enhanced curriculum provision and aim to stimulate an enjoyment of learning through relevant trips and visitors into school.
After school activities have included boys and girls’ football, athletics, tag rugby, netball, hockey, hand ball, judo, choir, dance, gymnastics, cheer leading, drama, French, fencing, craft club, Samba drumming and gardening. The activities that are provided for the children are very much dependent on staff availability, and parents are normally asked to sign a form permitting children to stay after school under supervision to take part in these activities. A number of activities are led by outside providers and a cost for these sessions may be requested.
We are registered with the Children’s University and this year 60 children graduated with a bronze award and 16 with either the bronze or silver award.
LIFELONG LEARNING
We aim through a series of strategies to prepare children for adult life in all its various forms including becoming a responsible member of the community. Rice Lane Junior School encourages aspirations in pupils of all abilities, aptitudes and background to consider their future careers. We have links with Liverpool University and Hope University which allow the children insight into university life and we are developing specific lessons which will focus on raising the aspirations of our pupils. We invite parents to come into school and talk about their own careers. Emphasis on technology and use of the computer in a wide variety of skills and situations helps children to appreciate the relevance of what they are studying for future occupations.