Find out about our curriculum.
General information about the curriculum.
English.
Maths.
Science.
Design and Technology.
Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
Geography.
History.
Art.
Music.
General information about the curriculum.
Our aim at Cheam Park Farm Nursery and Infants' School is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which contains all the elements of the National Curriculum.The School Curriculum has been formulated in accordance with both the National Curriculum and the Borough Curriculum policy. It is designed to promote the intellectual, spiritual, moral, cultural and physical development of pupils. Children at Cheam Park Farm study the curriculum for Foundation and Key Stage 1.
Great emphasis is placed on the three core subjects - English, Maths, and Science and the foundation subjects - History, Geography, PE, Design Technology, Information Technology, Music and Art. RE is also taught as part of the basic curriculum. In addition there is a daily act of collective worship and assembly organised in both class and whole school groups during each week. Educational visits are made, as are visits to the local library. Visiting speakers and groups contribute to our delivery of the curriculum. Cross curricular themes are developed throughout all aspects of school life, these themes include work for Health Education, Environmental Studies, Economic and Industrial Understanding, Careers Education and Education for Citizenship.
We believe that responsibility for sex education should be shared. There should be a partnership between home and school in developing the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour associated with sex education. The teaching of sex education is closely integrated into other curriculum areas and as far as possible, will not be taught in isolation, taken out of context, or over emphasised. The teaching of sex education will be implicit rather than explicit. Through this approach the child can learn in an atmosphere of trust, responsibility and respect. Back to top
English.
The aims of our teaching of English have been agreed through consultation with all staff. They are based on the whole school philosophy and aims, as well as the requirements of the National Curriculum and the National Literacy Strategy.1. In the teaching of English throughout Key Stage 1, we aim to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for English and ensure that the programmes of study are taught to pupils in ways appropriate to their abilities. We fulfil the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy and provide daily literacy lessons, timetabled for a minimum of an hour a day.
2. We aim to develop fully, all children's abilities in the language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing so that they can explore, learn, organise and make sense of experiences and be prepared for the language and literacy skills needed for adult life.
3. We aim to develop all children's abilities to communicate effectively in speech and writing and to listen attentively and with understanding.
4. We aim to provide a lively, exciting and diverse reading environment to encourage all children to become enthusiastic, confident and knowledgeable readers.
5. We aim to develop all children's competence in the use of standard English in speaking, reading and writing.
English teaching is divided into three main areas in the National Curriculum; Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. It is essential that all children have equal access to all three throughout the Key Stage.
While each area will be considered separately and with equal status, it must be remembered that they are all inter-related. Through the Literacy Hour we aim to ensure that all programmes of study will be integrated so that pupils are provided with a breadth of opportunity for using language in a variety of ways.
READING
Our prime objective in the teaching of reading is to provide a lively, exciting reading environment where children want to learn to read and regard themselves as readers.
Our aims are:
¨ to provide children with the opportunity to explore and enjoy a broad range of
both fiction and non-fiction.
¨ to develop positive attitudes to reading and books.
¨ to encourage children to become confident and independent readers.
¨ to develop a love of literature and a sense of excitement in the power and
potential of language.
We also aim for pupils to become confident in their use of libraries, both in
school and outside and to learn to use non-fiction material, including IT, to
locate, select and present information.
Each class has a reading corner where a wide variety of books have a high profile.
We encourage parental involvement in the teaching of reading through the use of a Home Reading Scheme which is used throughout the school and involves children, parents and teachers. We would like every child to have a bookbag. These can be purchased from the school office.
We have tape recorders and headphones which are used to develop listening skills.
Visits are made by the Year 2 children to the local library to broaden their reading experience.
WRITING
Our prime objective is to foster the ability to construct and convey meaning in written language and to encourage children to develop as independent writers.
Children will be encouraged to develop as writers of a wide range of genres including stories, poems, accounts, reports and instructions.
To achieve our aim, children will be given the opportunity to experience a broad range of writing activities, including:
¨ book making
¨ letter writing
¨ poetry writing
¨ diaries
¨ writing instructions
¨ use of the word processor to develop writing and editing skills.
SPELLING
Our objective is for all children leaving Cheam Park Farm Nursery and Infants' School to be able to spell confidently most of the words that they are likely to use frequently in their writing and to be able to make a sensible attempt to spell less familiar words.
Our objectives are:
¨ for all pupils to develop a knowledge of sound - symbol relationships and
phonological patterns and to recognise and use these in their writing.
¨ for all pupils to be able to use simple dictionaries and a thesaurus
independently.
¨ for all pupils to learn to check their work regularly for mis-spelling
HANDWRITING
Our prime objective is for all pupils to develop a clear, legible and fluent style by the end of Key Stage 1.
We aim to teach all pupils how to form and join both upper and lower case letters according to the school handwriting scheme.
We further aim to develop an awareness of the importance of clear and neat presentation in all work. Back to top
Maths.
In the teaching of Mathematics throughout Key Stage 1, we aim to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Mathematics and to ensure that the programmes of study are taught to all pupils.The National Numeracy Strategy is fully in place, dedicating 45 minutes to an hour of maths a day. Mental Maths is becoming a high priority.
AIMS
¨ We aim to help pupils apply computational skills with speed and accuracy
¨ We aim to help pupils understand the application of mathematical ideas in
various situations in the home, classroom, school and local area
¨ We aim to promote a child's confidence and ability to understand, do, and,
most of all, enjoy mathematics
¨ We aim to emphasise the importance of communications and to encourage
the use of appropriate mathematical language
Children are provided with the opportunity to do practical mathematical activities to help their understanding of number, measurement, shape, space and data handling. Children participate in a variety of problem solving and investigation work and are encouraged to develop their own methods of working and recording. We use a wide variety of both published and teacher designed materials to form the basis for the mathematical work in school.
IMPACT
¨ Involvement in Maths for Parents, Children and Teachers
As part of the children's mathematical work the school is involved in the IMPACT project. Regularly the children will participate in an impact activity which they share with their parents at home. This encourages the children to discuss, reinforce and share Maths being taught in the classroom. The project has proved to be a powerful stimulus for assisting children's mathematical development. Each activity is linked to the class topic and the national curriculum and is followed up in class. Back to top
Science.
Through our Science we aim:-¨ To keep alive children's natural curiosity about the world
¨ To observe living and inanimate things and to recognise characteristics such
as pattern and order
¨ To help pupils master basic scientific ideas
¨ To help pupils investigate problems and interpret evidence
In order to help children develop scientific knowledge and understanding of living things, materials and physical processes, the children are given the opportunity to engage in a variety of practical scientific focused investigations and experiences.
Teachers use a wide range of published materials to help them plan their science teaching and resource materials for practical work.
Each class has its own science kit with a range of basic equipment. There is also a central resource area housing shared equipment. Back to top
Design and Technology.
We aim to make technology enjoyable, to provide children with an environment that stimulates them to identify needs they wish to meet. We aim to develop children's technological skills to encourage the development of positive attitudes and to develop children's knowledge and understanding of technology. Back to topInformation & Communications Technology (ICT)
Our aim is to develop a positive attitude to information and communications technology and the skills to use its tools effectively to enhance and extend children's learning in areas of the national curriculum, as well as to prepare them for life in the 21st century.In December 2000 the ICT suite was opened by Paul Burstow MP, with 17 computers. This enables every class to have two, thirty minute teaching sessions in the suite. The school is also networked with multi-media Compaq computers. There is a range of software available for use with all of these computers. The children also have access to one of five programmable Roamers and we have recently acquired a digital camera for each class. We have six laptop computers for use with small groups. Every computer is on the Intranet with restricted use controlled by the London Borough of Sutton. In addition to this, the children have access to an interactive white board room and four classes have an interactive whiteboard in their classroom. This enables teachers to demonstrate ICT skills before the children go to the ICT Suite and use ICT as a means to enable the children to access the curriculum in an engaging way. Back to top
Geography.
Through Geography we aim:¨ to help pupils to begin to develop an understanding of the world in which they
live.
¨ to acquire knowledge, skills and the confidence to use them.
¨ to know about geographical aspects of the local environment and to
recognise links between the local environment and localities further afield.
Children are taught through topics, the work being planned so that all children cover a variety of topics at different levels through the Infant School.
The content of work includes learning from educational visits to places of geographical interest, looking at maps, using audio-visual materials including CD ROM and using reference books.
Children are encouraged to share what they have learnt through discussion and writing. Back to top
History.
Through History we aim:¨ To teach children about historical aspects of the local environment and the
National Heritage, and to be aware of other times and ways of life in a fast
changing world.
¨ To help pupils understand and appreciate human achievements.
Children are taught through topics, which are planned across year groups so that all children cover a variety of topics at different levels throughout the Infants School. The curriculum aims to give the children a sense of their own history, which is built upon, to include significant events and people in world history and in the everyday life of men, women and the children in the past, especially during Victorian times.
Classwork is linked where possible to the study of artefacts and using reference books are used. Children are encouraged to develop a sense of time and place, although history is not always taught in a strictly chronological order. Children are encouraged to share their learning through discussions, writing or drawing. Back to top
Art.
Through Art we aim:¨ to develop an appreciation of art within our rich, diverse, cultural heritage.
¨ to develop the children's understanding and enjoyment of art through
activities which encourage them to investigate and make through a variety of
media.
¨ to develop the children's knowledge and understanding of the work of artists.
¨ to respond to, and appreciate a great variety of art.
The children experience art through a variety of materials. They work with an extensive range of media and learn to evaluate their own and other's work. Work is displayed in both two and three dimensional forms in the classrooms, corridors and hall. We have a selection of pictures and paintings which the children can enjoy. Children are encouraged to look at the work of other artists and art from different cultures.
The computer network includes software which can increase pupil's artistic awareness and creativity. Back to top
Music.
We aim to give the children frequent opportunities to listen to a wide range of music from different times, styles and cultures. We have a large variety of musical instruments and using these we aim to develop the playing, composing and performing skills of the children.Year 2 children are able to attend music based lunch time and after school clubs including recorders and music club. Once a year, some Year 2 children are given the opportunity to attend an Infant Music Morning at a local high school. Infant schools from the Sutton area learn a small selection of songs to perform together and each school contributes one item on their own. Back to top