Our Curriculum
The Curriculum in Early Years Foundation Stage
In our Reception class and Nursery, every child’s education follows the recommendations of the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage:
There are seven areas of learning and development. Three of these are particularly important and are known as prime areas: Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
These three prime areas of learning are strengthened by our teaching in four other specific areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.
Children are mainly given access to these areas of learning through various play opportunities which can be introduced by teachers or key-workers or may be introduced by the children themselves, Mathematics activities are underpinned by introducing the children to the “Numicon” scheme of practical Maths activities and resources.
As children become better equipped for more formal learning they may have access to key parts of the KS1 curriculum including our “Read, Write Inc” programme.
The Curriculum in Key Stage One and Two
Every pupil at Billingham South Community Primary School follows the recommendations of National Curriculum’s Statutory Programmes of Study as they progress into Key Stage One and Two:
Our curriculum has been designed by our staff to maximise opportunities to learn and demonstrate our 5 school values (happiness, quality, responsibility, quality and courage).
Curriculum – All children take part in daily English lessons. English lessons consist of a range of activities, including reading, writing and spelling tasks. We use the “Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised” scheme to ensure that phonics is taught in a systematic way until children have the skills required to decode and spell words to the required standard. All children also have daily story time in class.
All children take part in daily Maths lessons which concentrate on number work; shape, space and measures and data handling skills. Children are also encouraged to use their mathematical skills and knowledge to solve “Rich Mathematical Tasks”.
In Science, pupils learn about Living Things, Materials and their Properties and Physical Processes. They also learn the skills of investigation and experimenting so that they can become independent learners and make discoveries of their own.
In P.E. children have lessons in gymnastics, dance, and games throughout Key Stage One and Two. We also have a full programme of swimming lessons. Children in Year 5 receive coaching in table tennis and there are a range of opportunities in competitive sports such as cross-country running, football, trampoline and cricket. Some of our PPA cover is taught alongside PEAK specialist PE teachers who bring expertise in Sport. We also offer Computing and Forest Schools experts to enhance our exciting curriculum.
In computing lessons, the children are taught the skills of programming, communicating and using computers in presentations. These take place in our computer suite which is fully equipped with state of the art PCs. Pupils also have access to a range of other technology including class sets of iPads. Cameras are also available.
In PSHE, the school follows the Dimensions programme and also supports pupil’s Social, Moral, Health and Cultural needs in partnership with a number of local and regional programmes and schemes.
Modern Foreign Language our pupils learn is French.
Sex and Relationships Education
We emphasise the importance of developing self-esteem and recognising the needs and feelings of others. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of their own emotional development. They are also taught how to approach the different personal relationships they encounter as they get older. SRE is taught as part of the Dimensions curriculum. If parents have any questions about Sex and Relationships Education or want to view any of the resources used in class, they are welcome to make an appointment at the school office.
Religious Education and Assemblies
In R.E. we follow the Stockton Agreed Curriculum for Religious Education. The children have R.E. lessons as stand-alone lessons from the rest of the curriculum.
Schools are required to offer a daily act of worship (assembly) which must be largely Christian in character. At Billingham South, these assemblies take place in either of our halls with whole key stages, or in classrooms.
Sometimes we invite speakers to address the whole school. These speakers may be religious leaders, local ministers, community leaders or charity workers.
If any parent wishes their child to be excused from religious education lessons or acts of collective worship, they should seek an appointment with the head teacher. Such requests will generally be granted.
