|
Parents' Area : Curriculum 
We aim to provide an enriching, stimulating and enjoyable curriculum in which every child works to the best of his/her ability, regularly experiencing pleasure and success in learning.
The curriculum consists of English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology, R.E., History, Geography, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education which includes Citizenship).
All National Curriculum documents and regulations are available from the head teacher for parents/carers who wish to read them.
Some of these subjects may be taught in isolation, but some may be taught in a cross curricular topic or an inter-related programme of work.
The teachers carefully plan each topic, after considerable discussion and each topic is supported by the programme of study outlined in the National Curriculum.
The learning intention of most lessons is clearly explained and displayed and success criteria made explicit. This leads the child towards self-assessment of how successful he/she has been and how to improve his/her work in the future.
Literacy and Numeracy 
The Government, in its drive to raise standards in schools, revised the frameworks for literacy and maths, which are fully in place from September 2008.
The Literacy Hour is a daily period of dedicated literacy teaching time for all pupils from Y1 to Y6. Pupils in Reception participate in daily activities to build their skills in Communication, Language and Literacy.
All schools are required to teach a daily mathematics lesson to all pupils from Year 1 to Year 6, lasting between forty five and sixty minutes, depending on pupils' ages. Teachers teach the whole class together for some of the lesson with oral and mental work featuring strongly.
Pupils in reception participate in number work daily.
P. E. and Games 
The government recommends that all children have at least two hours physical activity each week. We received the Activemark in 2007 which recognises the work our school does in involving pupils in sport and activity. Children in KS2 receive a weekly sports lesson and a further PE lesson during the week. Other voluntary sports activities at lunchtime or after school contribute to the recommendation. Pupils in KS2 have a series of six swimming lessons once a year.
Pupils in Foundation Stage and KS1 also have two lessons of PE each week. Pupils in FS have access to the outside nearly all day. The outdoor environment reflects the curriculum opportunities which are provided inside. As soon as the building work in KS1 is completed (Christmas 2008) pupils in KS1 will have increased opportunities to further their learning through the outdoor environment. Pupils in KS1 and KS2 may attend an after school sports club run by a specialist coach.
Music 
Music is an important part of school life and we endeavour to foster a love of music in our children. Much of the teaching is class based, usually taught by music specialists. There is also the opportunity to have lessons in singing, the recorder, violin, guitar, a brass or woodwind instrument or keyboard - some of which are provided by the City of York Schools' Music Service. Every two years every child in Year 3 and 4 is taught to play the recorder. The choir takes place at lunchtimes and the orchestra meets after school for rehearsals.
Musical and dramatic entertainments are regularly performed for parents/carers.
Religious Education 
Our aim is to encourage respect for religious and moral values and understanding of all races, religions and ways of life. As Christianity has profoundly affected our own culture, some emphasis is placed on the Christian tradition. We continually strive to foster consideration and respect for all.
Any parent has the right to withdraw their child from acts of worship and lessons of a religious nature and arrangements will be made for alternative teaching in another subject.
Our assemblies are of a broadly Christian nature where children have the opportunity to reflect on moral and religious issues. Once a term the children visit St.Edward's Church to have an assembly there.
Sex and Relationships Education 
The school believes that sex and relationships education in school should be complementary and supportive to the responsibility of parents. We seek to enable children to learn the meaning of respect for themselves and others and for their own and other people's bodies. Sex education is offered within a broad context which includes the physical and emotional challenges of growing up and an elementary understanding of human reproduction. It is taught throughout the school with teaching directly related to puberty in Years 5 and 6. Parents are welcome to come in to school to discuss teaching methods if they wish. A fuller statement of the sex and relationships education policy is available from the school.
Inclusion
At Dringhouses Primary School we celebrate diversity of all kinds and we are committed to equality of opportunity. This involves inclusion for all, recognising that in order for all children to access education at an appropriate and relevant level, we need to consider gender, ability, need, race and cultural diversity. We provide each child with opportunities for success and recognise the importance of challenge. To this end we closely monitor all children and provide additional support where appropriate. Because we believe that every child has a right to experience challenge, we identify children who are able and talented and include activities to extend our able children by differentiating work in class and building in challenge. We recognise the different learning styles of children: visual, auditory and kinaesthetic, and we provide opportunities for all children to access the curriculum at an appropriate level by using, for example, visual timetables, teaching aids and Brain Gym. The progress of all groups of learners is monitored by the head teacher and the inclusion co-ordinator (INCO).
We aim to ensure that our teaching materials reflect diversity of culture, race and ability in order to make children's learning relevant to the world in which we live today.
Able and Talented
We are committed to ensuring that our most able children progress well and achieve all of which they are capable. We have a register (and a shadow register) of able and/or talented pupils, which covers academic as well as vocational abilities. Our staff are trained in the identification of able and talented pupils and have a wealth of strategies and resources to ensure they are appropriately challenged and supported. We ask parents for their views on their child's particular skills and strengths and inform parents of his or her inclusion on the register. We signpost parents to extra-curricular activities, where relevant, which may further support their child's skills. We also take part in master classes, gifted and talented summer schools and events and competitions designed for children who are particularly able (such as Harrogate Music Festival).
Special Educational Needs
We firmly believe that children with special needs should be educated within mainstream schooling. We have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), who oversees the special educational needs arrangements throughout the school to ensure that children's progress is monitored and reviewed. The SENCO also ensures smooth and effective liaison with agencies that support the school.
The school has an excellent and well-deserved reputation for meeting the special educational needs of pupils effectively. The SEN policy gives details of our philosophy, procedures and practice. Central to this policy is the idea of working in partnership with parents in meeting the special educational needs of children and parents are encouraged to become active partners in this process. The SEN policy is available to any parent on request. The policy was reviewed in 2007.
Homework
Please see separate policy at back of brochure
Extra Curricular Activities
There are usually activities available at lunchtime or after school and these usually include choir, orchestra, football, netball, chess, drama, art, recorders and sport (cricket and rounders in the summer). They mostly depend on the availability and goodwill of the adults involved.
Karate is offered once a week and Excel Sports also offer a session a week after school for KS1 and KS2 for which there is a charge.
We also open our premises to adult learning, such as yoga and computer classes in the evening.
|