Curriculum

The National Curriculum is taught throughout the school. The Core Subjects are English, Maths, Science and Information Communication Technology, Design Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music and P.E., which assist children in their study of the other subjects, are known as the "Foundation Subjects". Schools must also offer Religious Education (RE) and provide daily, collective worship. There are 4 Stages for different age groups, known as "Key Stages". The children in this school are all in Key Stage 2, as they are aged between 7 and 11 years. Each National Curriculum Subject has Attainment Targets (A.T.'s), which are objectives, setting out the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils of different abilities and maturities are expected to develop. For each A.T. there are 8 levels of attainment. The Foundation Subjects also have Programmes of Study (PoS), setting out the skills and processes which are required to be taught to pupils of differing abilities and maturities during each Key Stage.

The National Curriculum subjects of English, Mathematics and Science are assessed at Year 6. The school will report to parents on pupils' achievements in each of these subjects at the end of Key Stage 2. Standard Attainment Tests or S.A.T.'s take place in May and the children's report will also show a teacher assessment. In Years 3,4 and 5, the children participate in non statutory tests provided by the Q.C.A. in the subjects of English and Mathematics, as well as tests in English provided by the National Foundation for Educational Research.

English is the main instrument of learning and so has a central place in the curriculum, whilst also being a subject in its own right. Our aim is to provide a curriculum which will enable each child to become as articulate and literate as is possible with that child's potential. The DfEE has outlined three Attainment Targets in English, these are AT1 Speaking and Listening, AT2 Reading and AT3 Writing. The main way in which these areas of the curriculum will be covered is through the Literacy Hour. Each day the children will follow a structured programme, studying texts which will cover a range of genres and styles of writing. The format of the hour requires the children to participate in shared class text work, focused work on sentence or word structure and independent reading, writing or sentence work. Speaking and listening will sometimes form the main focus of English sessions and the teachers provide opportunities for the children to participate in discussion and role play. Reading will frequently be the main focus of English activities and each class has a range of quality literature, both modern and classic, suited to the age range of the children. The children have sessions when they will read individually or in groups. Parents form a partnership with the school, sharing books with their children at home on a regular basis and recording this in the Home/School Reading Record. The children are encouraged to keep a record of their reading in the form of book reviews or using the website www.kidsreview.org. During the literacy hour the children are encouraged to write for a range of purposes, organising the content and style appropriate to the audience and purpose.

They are taught about grammar and punctuation in the context of their own work and through appropriate exercises which cover the areas the teacher wishes to develop. The literacy hour sometimes takes place in the ICT Suite where the children can read computer generated scripts and use word processing and editorial skills to develop their own writing. We also have computer programs linked to our core literacy scheme. Children are taught joined handwriting from the Nelson handwriting scheme. Teachers give regular spelling lessons on common letter strings or words necessary for a particular topic. Tests are generally given on a weekly basis.

Library

The school has plans for a large purpose built reference library. At present, each of the classes in the school has the opportunity to select books relevant to their topic from well stocked reference shelves. Each class has its own library of fiction books at various levels of difficulty, according to the age and ability of the children. Topic loans are borrowed from Essex County Library Services to supplement school resources.

Book Week, Book Club and Anthology

The school holds an annual book week on a variety of themes. The intention of this week is to promote an interest in, and an enjoyment of, books. Another aim of the week is for the children to have fun whilst learning. Throughout the school year, a book club operates within the school, giving the children the chance to purchase books at a reduced price and encouraging book ownership. Annually, the school produces an anthology of poems written by children throughout the course of the year. The aim of this anthology is for the children to share that which they have written with a wider audience and also to have the pleasure of seeing their work in print. Copies of this anthology are available for purchase at the school Open Evening.

The school uses the National Numeracy Strategy to implement the delivery of the National Curriculum in Mathematics. The school is well equipped with practical apparatus (which is continually being updated and extended), available to all classes. Every child has a daily dedicated Maths lesson of 1 hour. Children are taught as a set, class, in a group or as an individual, according to their needs. Teachers in each year group plan together and work emphasises both practical problem-solving and children's own investigations, as well as structured activities. Children's responses to Mathematical ideas are continually assessed, so that differentiation according to the needs of the children can be planned. The use of ICT in Maths is also being developed. As well as successful summer SAT's for year 6, we use annual Q.C.A. tests in mathematics that are designed for year groups 3, 4 & 5, in addition to teachers' own assessment of children's progress.

We progressively develop science knowledge and understanding, and foster active, systematic classroom investigations to promote the development of an open, enquiring mind. Our activities encourage the ability to plan and carry out investigations, whilst providing children with opportunities to predict and hypothesise, manipulate variables, interpret results and evaluate evidence. Children's progress and attainment are assessed in year 6, at the end of Key Stage 2, by examination (SAT's) and parents are informed of the results.

Children have access to an ICT Suite and local classroom networks to experience a wide range of word processing, desktop publishing, data handling, spreadsheets, graphics and information retrieval. All classrooms use an interactive whiteboard to enhance their learning.

Pupils work on their own and as part of a team on a range of designing and making activities. They think about what products are used for and the needs of the people who use them. They plan what has to be done and identify what works well and what could be improved in their own and other people's designs. They draw on knowledge and understanding from other areas of the curriculum and use computers in a range of ways.

Children study basic modules in French in line with QCA requirements. We are fortunate to be linked with Southend High School for Girls Language College, who provide assistance, training and resources.

These subjects are interrelated in the cross curricular topics chosen, especially where the local environment is studied. The vicinity of the home, school, town is closely studied and, as the children progress and mature, wider historical and geographical fields are embraced. Class visits to places of interest, related to the topics chosen, are regularly made.

Geography

We aim to encourage in the children an awareness and curiosity about their own locality and the world around them. Environmental issues are addressed and the school is actively involved in recycling. Voluntary money-making schemes support environmental projects around the school grounds. Monies raised also help to sponsor a young Indian girl, Hara Naik, and her village. We enter a "Pelargonium Growing" competition and "Southend in Bloom", promoting a sense of pride in the appearance of the school, with each class being responsible for its own "patch" of garden. Many of these activities are the responsibility of the 6th year monitors, who also provide support for children in the lower years.

History

Pupils learn about significant people, events and places from both the recent and more distant past. They learn about change and continuity in their own area, in Britain and in other parts of the world. They use a wide range of different resources to help them investigate the past, both in depth and in overview, using dates and historical vocabulary to describe events, people and development. To enhance pupils learning further, there are many visits, including Colchester Castle, Kentwell Hall, the British Museum and many local visits. We also welcome visitors to school to further the enjoyment of history.

We have a strong tradition of art in the school, which is evident in our surroundings and in our success in competitions. By experimenting with a variety of media, children are encouraged to express and evaluate ideas.

Music making is an integral part of the life of Bournes Green School. Pupils have the opportunities to become involved in a wide variety of instrumental groups. There are two orchestras (over 100 children learn to play instruments) and a large choir. The Carousel Music Scheme is used in conjunction with I.C.T. programs and a wide range of listening material. Pupils perform to their peers and visit other schools to make music.

At Bournes Green, we offer various team games with associated skills. These include football, hockey, netball, cricket, rounders, short tennis, tennis and tag rugby. We regularly play matches against other schools. The children are also involved in Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country and Dance events. We have the benefit of large playing fields and a heated swimming pool, where tuition is given twice a week in the summer term. Each class uses the hall for apparatus work, gymnastics and creative dance and movement. Our year 4 children enjoy tuition in cycling skills and our year 6 children complete a Cycling Proficiency course.

R.E. is taught using the new Essex agreed syllabus. At Bournes Green we encourage respect for all religions; we study Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism in detail, using a wide variety of resources. All pupils are included, however, parents may withdraw their children by writing to the Headteacher. Assemblies celebrate the achievements of pupils, reflect the spiritual content of the R.E. syllabus and include visits from local religious leaders and charity workers.

We value highly all aspects of the children's education and development. Topics are carefully chosen to develop the child's awareness of their individual role in life e.g. ourselves, our families, senses, how our bodies work, hygiene, healthy eating, growth and change, people who work for us, road safety, customs and cultures etc. We enjoy considerable support from the wider community, with Police, Road Safety and Fire Officers in covering a range of issues e.g. attendance, home/school related issues, bullying, bereavements, divorce, drug related issues, 'stranger danger', road safety and healthy living etc.