Art

In Art children are  taught basic skills and encouraged to express themselves in imaginative and creative ways. The curriculum enables them to develop skill and  confidence to use a variety of media, paint, collage and clay.

Pupils are taught to plan, design, make and evaluate their own work. They will learn to find  out about a range of famous artists and begin to use some of these techniques in their own work. 

Pupils work will be  celebrated through display.

Design and Technology

The Design and Technology curriculum is a mix of focused practical tasks, when pupils develop and practice their skills and specific assignments where pupils  design, make, evaluate and improve products.

Pupils will develop a  knowledge and understanding of materials and components, mechanisms and control products and applications, quality and health and safety.

Geography

Geography teaching aims  to develop pupils natural curiosity into a full understanding and an  appreciation of the physical and human world in which they live.

Geography is mainly  taught through topics based on the QCA units of work. The school grounds  and the local area will be used for fieldwork.

Additional ongoing work  will be taught to ensure continuity and progression in the underlying skills of map work, direction vocabulary and a knowledge of the UK,  Europe and the wider world.

History 

Through History pupils learn that people, places and objects all change over time. They develop a sense of their own past and that of their families, other  civilizations in the UK and throughout the world.

History is mainly taught through topics based on the QCA units of work. The curriculum presents  pupils with a balance of ancient and more recent past, local and wider  world history. 

Additional ongoing work  will be taught to ensure continuity and progression in the underlying skills of chronological order, vocabulary and change.

Information and Communication  Technology

ICTis a core subject and rapidly growing in importance. We aim to help pupils become  familiar with a wide range of software and hardware to find, explore,  analyze, exchange and present information.

 Pupils are taught  specific computing skills within QCA schemes of work and also how to use  ICT to support other areas of the curriculum.  Each class has at least  two networked computers as well as access to a number of laptops.

To ensure the pupils’ safety the school uses a filtered internet service and access is only  allowed under adult supervision. The school has policy for internet  safety and another for the use of images.

Literacy

The  Literacy curriculum follows the National Literacy strategy. Pupils  develop essential skills in speaking and listening, reading and writing. They need to become confident with fiction and non-fiction texts and be  competent, accurate readers and writers of stories, poetry and drama.

Pupils participate in  daily Literacy lessons. They will have additional opportunities to  develop key Literacy skills through activities such as individual guided reading sessions, drama and listening to teachers reading stories.

Parents have a vital role to play with reading, practicing key skills and encouraging a love  of reading and books.

We believe it is important that pupils develop clear communication skills in both the written and spoken word. This will enable them enables to express  themselves creatively and to effectively communicate with others.

Music

The music curriculum will develop the skills and enjoyment of singing and instrument playing. The curriculum is based on QCA supplemented by materials from Music  Express. There is a balance of listening, appraising, composing and performing. 

Wherever possible music  will be used in all areas of school life and be an important part of  school celebrations and performances.  Where appropriate external musicians will be invited into school. Recorders are taught as an after school club and guitars are taught weekly by a peripatetic teacher.

Numeracy

At Iron Acton School,  the Numeracy curriculum is based on the National Numeracy Strategy  framework which covers the strands of: shape and space, numbers and the  number system, data handling, problem solving, calculations and  measures.

Pupils participate in  daily Numeracy lessons which are divided into three parts - a short mental oral session, the main activity and the plenary, where the  objectives are assessed and reinforced. 

Pupils are taught  through a wide variety of theoretical and practical experiences. By the end of year 6 the aim is to produce confident, accurate numerate pupils  who are aware of the importance of Numeracy skills and can use them across the curriculum and in everyday situations.

Physical Education

Physical education provides opportunities to develop physical skills and teaches pupils to  apply these in a variety of individual, group and team situations.

The curriculum includes: invasion games, ball skills, gymnastics, dance and outdoor activities.  Pupils in key stage 2 go swimming at Yate sports centre. PE is also taught through coaching and after school clubs. Throughout the year  pupils have the opportunity to join in sports activities with local primary and secondary schools.

Personal, Social and Health Education

PSHE gives pupils the  knowledge, skills and understanding to lead confident, safe, happy and  healthy lifestyles and become informed, responsible citizens. It is  taught through individual tasks and group and class discussions. Each  pupil will have the opportunity to represent their class on the school council.

Religious Education

RE is taught in accordance with the county Agreed syllabus €``Mystery and meaning’’.

The main focus will be Christianity but pupils will develop a basic knowledge of the major  world religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism).  Younger pupils will study Christianity and older pupils will also learn about Islam and Judaism. When appropriate pupils visit the local church.  Through religious education pupils will explore, develop, evaluate and  express their own beliefs, values and feelings. They will understand what it means to be a practicing member of a religious group, what it would mean to take a religion seriously and how this impacts upon  believers’ everyday lives.

Special Educational Need 

Teachers will use of variety of teaching methods and styles to suit the learning needs of their pupils. However the school recognizes that some pupils will need additional support.

The school will  identify special needs as early as possible and build on pre-school information. The school’s special needs coordinator (SENCO) will work with the Head and class teachers will set up and monitor group or individual programmes based on pupils’ needs (IEPs). Learning support  assistants play an invaluable role in supporting individual and small  groups of pupils.  The school works in close partnership with parents, carers and external agencies.

Act of Collective Worship

Acts of collective worship are planned on a termly basis and are delivered to the key stages and whole school.

They are led by members  of staff and involve pupil participation wherever possible.

A variety of guest speakers are invited in to talk about the work of local and National charities and religious organisations.

A member of the local  church will be invited into school each term to lead an act of  collective worship. Special services are held to mark important  occasions. These are held in school and the local church and are often  open to parents, carers and relations.

 

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