Our Curriculum
Our school aims to provide as broad a curriculum as possible to suit the varying aptitudes, interests and abilities of its pupils.
Every effort is made to provide a happy, caring environment in which children can feel secure, be encouraged to give of their best, develop a positive attitude to all the learning processes, and feel part of an integrated community. In this way, we will be able to fulfil our mission statement.
Loving Learning, Loving Life, Loving God's World.
Strong emphasis is placed on self-confidence and self-motivation; the development of self-respect and respect for others, and the appreciation of the need for sound learning habits. The school aims to provide a balanced curriculum for the education of the whole child, so that the intellectual, physical, emotional, aesthetic, moral and spiritual development might be assured. Children actively input into the planning of each topic so that it can be relevant and exciting for them.
The statutory programmes for the National Curriculum are undertaken throughout the school. The detail of our National Curriculumdelivery is set out below.
Literacy
This school has enjoyed a very good reputation for teaching English for some years. In 2012, 94% of children achieved Level 4 in Reading, 91% in Writing and 97% in Maths.
The school generally follows the English National Curriculum. However, we also listen to advice from other sources of expertise to help us improve. We will also give children opportunities to write for real audiences whenever possible including class blogs. Reviews of the English Curriculum take place regularly and we anticipate progress in literacy through the staff's developing expertise and the children's more focused work. We retain the points in which we were strong and build on them.
We have introduced the Big Writing programme into the school to improve further our standards of achievement in writing.
Mathematics
The school has achieved great success in mathematics. We generally follow the National Numeracy Strategy and aim for children to become comfortable and capable at maths.
In 2012, we published booklets which outline how we teach children the four operations in maths. You can download them here.Teaching Calculation at St James
Science
The school is well equipped for science and most of the work is practically based. We have achieved very good results in science.
Religious Education
Religious Education plays an important part in the life of the school. We follow the Hampshire recommended syllabus. Apart from the actual RE lessons, the children attend assemblies during the week, one of which is taken by the Rector of St. James' Church, who is also a governor. The children also visit the local church a number of times during the year for Easter, Harvest and Christmas celebrations, as well as a final Leavers' Service.
Parents who do not wish their child to attend RE lessons have that right but must put their wish into writing. The class teacher will see that the child is removed and given other work with another teacher.
Information and Communication Technology
The school has a good reputation for ICT. The school is well equipped with PC computer systems. We have a computer suite with 17 systems as well as a bank of 40 netbooks, which are used in classrooms. In addition the children will have the use of computers for research using the Internet and for accessing library books and information on fiction and non-fiction from a Micro-Librarian database. There are Interactive Whiteboards throughout the school which bring an added dimension to children's learning.
History
We recognise history as a valuable subject and make every effort to make it as real and relevant for children by incorporating it as the focus of a half-termly topic. Such topics include the Tudors, Romans and Egyptians. They often include trips out to places that will help the children's learning really come to life eg Hampton Court Palace, HMS Warrior and the British Museum The younger children learn about the more recent past with various projects on such topics as Great Fire of London, Grandparents, Pocohontas/Native American Indians, Man on the Moon and Seaside Holidays.
Geography
We recognise geography as a vital subject and make every effort to make it as real and relevant for children by incorporating it in our half-termly topics - often as the focus of it. A growing sense of locality is the general thrust for geography and, wherever possible, we make the most of every opportunity to take the children to places close to the school for their study eg the seashore, the River Ems, the town centre etc.
Design and Technology
We believe DT is an important part of primary education and include all the features of the National Curriculum system in our planning. Food technology is very popular!
Music
Music lessons takes place each week for each class. A significant number of the children have individual or small group lessons (on a fee paying basis) during the week on instruments such as the piano, keyboards, recorders, flute and drums.
PE and Games
The children have approximately 2 hours of PE each week. Year 5 children have an opportunity to go swimming at the local Leisure Centre. We also provide professional tuition for football and tennis on a limited basis.
We are delighted to be involved in competitive team sports, with both netball and football.
We also organise extra-curricular clubs for football and netball. The juniors have an early morning judo club and karate classes are also available before school on Tuesdays.
Art and Design
The children receive opportunities to explore materials and use a variety of media. Art, along with Music and PE are seen as important developmental points for primary aged children and we seek to show them enjoyment of the arts as well as learning practical skills.
Personal, Social, Health Education
The subject is usually known as PSHE. Work centres on helping children understand about relationships, their own feelings and issues relating to growing up e.g. friendships, bullying, personal changes. The work is often done in circle time where the children have an opportunity to talk about issues. Recently the Government have given primary schools guidelines on citizenship and these are part of our PSHE programme.
Modern Foreign Languages
French is taught throughout Key 2, starting with oral French, and moving to start to read and write French by the end of Year 6.
Sex Education
Sex education is an integral part of the Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum. Governors have agreed a Sex Education Policyin line with Hampshire Guidelines, which can be downloaded by clicking on the link.
Summer Production
At the end of each school year, the children from Years 3 - 6 put on a musical Production. In the past these have included Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat, Oliver, Bugsy Malone and the Wizard of Oz. These are always produced to a tremendously high standard and wherever possible look to parents and friends of the school for support and practical help.
Year 5/6 Residential Visit - Fairthorne Manor
Each year, we organise a residential trip to Fairthorne Manor. Here, children are able to be involved in challenging outdoor adventure and teambuilding activities that would not be possible at school. Children come back full of enthusiasm and excitement at the great time they've had and the way that they have developed as people.