Woodville - Curriculum

We believe that children learn best in a happy, caring and ordered enviroment in which their learning and development is promoted through a stimulating and structured environment. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum which builds on the learning and experiences that the children have already acquired and enables each child to progress and achieve his or her full potential. The children are encouraged to develop independence and personal responsibility and to respect the qualities of their peers. The curriculum follows the requirements of the National Curriculum. Units of work are carefully planned by the teachers to ensure that work is appropriate to the academic needs of the individual children. Children work in ability groups for English and Maths.

ENGLISH
The Woodville Junior School recognises the importance of effective English skills in achieving academic success and in ensuring that children feel confident in social situations. English is developed through the development of three key skills:

Speaking and Listening
Reading
Writing

There are many opportunities in the school curriculum to develop these skills but in addition, children participate in a daily Literacy Hour, during which children are taught specific reading and writing skills.

MATHEMATICS
Our mathematics policy is based on the QCA Unit Plans and supported by the Abacus Saheme. Investigations, work cards, problem solving activities and a variety of materials and resources, as well as direct 'hands-on' experience, is used to develop confidence and a positive attitude to mathematics.

Children are encouraged to be literate and confident in mathematics through careful questioning and discussion. They are taught the skills necessary to tackle increasingly challenging tasks through a daily Numeracy Hour as well as additional mental maths sessions.

SCIENCE The teaching of science enables children to make sense of the world around them. Children are taught how to raise questions, make predictions, investigate, observe, and test ideas. They are provided with resourcess and experiences which begin to challenge and extend their knowledge and understanding of key scientific principles.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
ICT is a vital element of the school curriculum. The children have an ICT lesson each week, during which they are taught the skills necessary to use computer technology confidently and independently.

The school has recently opened a Computer Room equipped with 19 computers, a venture supported by local industry and by the school's Friends Association. In addition, there are a number of computers situated around the school for day-to-day use, all equipped with CD-ROM. The school is linked to the Internet. ### interactive smct boards?? what they and where??

HISTORY
Children learn about specific periods in history through handling artefacts, analysing and questioning written sources of evidence and developing a sense of empathy which is reinforced by school visits.

GEOGRAPHY
The study of geography helps children to gain a better understanding of the world, to understand changes they see around them and to enrich their lives by appreciating the differences between cultures. Much work takes place within the local environment to complement the classroom-based activities.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The Woodville Junior School follows the Surrey Agreed Syllabus which aims to lead children to an understanding of Christianity and other major religions in Britain. We aim to develop the children's spitiual, moral, social and cultural awareness and to appreciate the distinctive contribution that religion brings to life.

Assemblies take place daily and are broadly Christian in nature. Parents are reminded that they have a right to withdraw their children from Acts of Worship and Religious Education lessons.

MUSIC
Music plays an important part in the life of the school - in class lessons, assemblies and concerts. As often as possible, we widen the children's experience of music by inviting a variety of musical performers to the school.

We enjoy a close relationship with Surrey Youth Music and performing Arts who are based on the school site and offer a comprehensive of music lessons (there is a charge for these extra-curricular lessons).

ART
Art helps the children to develop their creative thought and.imagination. We develop children's understanding of visual language relating the work artists, craft workers and designers.

We provide the children with a broad range of practical techniques and the opportunity to develop their own artistic experience, knowledge and appreciation.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
Technology places great emphasis on. design in both structures and mechanisms. The children are presented with.a range of practical. problems and are encouraged to solve them through investigation.

They aretaught how to work safely with a variety of tools and materials to make their own constructions.

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (including SEX EDUCATION)
Children are helped to understand personal values, attitudes and feelings in relation to their peers; their friends, families and to the community at large. They are encouraged to recognise the benefits of a healthy life style, both physically and socially.

Sex Education is included in the PSHE curriculum. In years 3, 4 and 5 this aspect of the curriculum is represented by work on relationships and families.

Year 6 pupils consider the subjects of reproduction, adolescence and puberty as a part of their topic on the human body. The emphasis is on personal, social and moral responsibility. Parents are invited to view the television programme which is used prior to its use in the classroom. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Sex Education lessons.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION The children are given access to a range of experiences including: swimming - gymnastics - football netball - hockey - cross-country running - athletics - stoolball cricket - rounders - touch rugby PE and Games lessons are carefully planned to develop specific skills and to give the children opportunities to improve upon their own personal performance. We also recognise the importance of competition in sports and The Woodville Junior School regularly competes with schools in the locality with in a range of sports.

FRENCH
Pupils learn French in Year 6. The emphasis is on oral work and it is presented in an enjoyable and participatory style. The French curriculum is based on Pilote, a multi-media course which is supported by a variety of materials. The pupils are taught in ability groups.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS
The school organises a variety of educational visits, both locally and farther afield. These visits are part of the children's learning programme and are valuable in stimulating their interest and motivating curiosity. They are also an excellent opportunity for personal and social growth.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
We aim to meet the individual needs of all our children including the most and least able. All children should have aims to the National Curriculum, regardless of their individual ability. Where any child has a special need, class teachers work closely with our Special Needs co-ordinator and with parents to secure appropriate provision within the school curriculum. A well-qualified special needs team, backed by appropriate resources, ensures that children can be given appropriate tuition.

In addition we have an attached Language Unit which enjoys a county-wide reputation for helping children with average or above-average intelligence who have specific language difficulties to develop to their full potential. The unit has its own specialised staff and an attached speech therapist.