Subjects
Embedded Files
PLEASE NOTE: As we anticipate the new National Curriculum, scheduled for implementation in September 2026, please note that these documents reflect the school's approach to the current National Curriculum. A full review of subjects will take place when the new curriculum is available.
Art
Art
Art will provide your child with the opportunity to develop their creativity. Children will be given the opportunity to express themselves using a variety of media which will include pastels, crayons, clay, textiles and other collage materials.
Our topic work will provide the opportunity for your child to develop their skills and work individually and collaboratively with children in our own and other schools.
Computing
Computing
Computing is taught across the curriculum and is used to promote and enhance learning. A stand-alone computer programming lesson is also taught weekly.
We encourage children from an early age to be confident in using many forms of technology including laptops, iPads, digital cameras, video recording equipment, programmable robots, sensing equipment and digital microscopes.
Both classrooms have interactive plasma screens which are used by individuals and for whole class teaching.
Design and Technology
Design and Technology
Design and technology provides opportunity for the children to investigate familiar objects around them. They explore how things work, what they are used for and the needs of people who use them.
Children have the opportunity to develop a range of practical skills across both Key Stages working with different materials including fixing and joining, measuring and cutting, assembling, applying and a range of finishing techniques. Children are encouraged to design and make their own products and learn to evaluate them suggesting ways in which their work could be improved.
Design and Technology provides us with opportunities to make links with other areas of the curriculum such as Science and Maths.
English
English
The ability to communicate - to listen and understand as well as to speak, read and write - is key to thriving and succeeding in life.
With community connection at the core of our school's vision and purpose, we view the opportunity for pupils to engage with others, and to share their thoughts, ideas and work orally and in writing with real audiences for real purposes as integral to our children's development.
French
French
We currently provide weekly French lessons for all pupils being delivered by a specialist teacher of French. Our emphasis is on developing speaking and listening skills, to develop enthusiasm for learning different languages and to experience other cultures.
Geography
Geography
Through our topic approach we encourage children to gain an awareness of their own environment and investigate the local area and its landscape. From this they are encouraged to extend their knowledge of societies both in this country and abroad to appreciate similarities and differences among them.
Through the studying of localities children develop their geographical skills such as recognising landscape features, following directions using maps and fieldwork techniques.
ICT will be used to support and extend geographical skills and knowledge.
History
History
Through our topic work we want our children to learn to use a variety of sources such as artefacts, photographs, websites and films to find out about the past. Through our choice of topics we want our children to develop their use of historical skills as well as learning about the people and cultures of the past.
During their time in our school children will have the opportunity to investigate British and World history.
Maths
Maths
Mathematics gives confidence and competency with numbers and measures. It can be used to tackle a wide range of practical tasks and real life problems. We are keen to give the children an opportunity to see mathematics as a source of fun and to enable each child to achieve and enjoy the work they do.
Music
Music
The children regularly take part in singing in our school as part of collective worship. Opportunities are provided through school productions for children to sing as a group and as individuals. We want our children to develop an enjoyment of all types of music. Children are given the opportunity to learn guitar through peripatetic teachers.
We invite specialist teachers into the school to support the delivery of music where children will have the opportunity to make, compose and move to music.
Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (including RSHE)
Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (including RSHE)
We want our children to become active and responsible citizens in later life and provide a structured programme through the ‘SEAL’ curriculum that allows them to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to support this. To further promote this we have an enthusiastic school council who initiate and lead events which includes fundraising for charities of their choice.
Other areas of the curriculum, such as Science and PE, and opportunities that we provide both in and out of school also contribute to this area.
Relationships, Health and Sex Education
Relationships, Health and Sex Education
Through the Personal Social and Health Education and science curriculum your child will learn about their bodies, relationships and keeping healthy.
In Year 6 your child will be taught a series of lessons to link with changes they are soon to encounter in their new school as well as within their own bodies. For these lessons we link with cluster schools and use the school nurses to deliver these sessions. We use a selection of DVD’s and books to support and supplement the programme. You are informed at the start of the topic and are given the opportunity to discuss the programme if you wish. You have the right to withdraw your child from sex education.
Physical Education
Physical Education
The PE we provide will give your child an opportunity to participate in activities that help them develop their physical and social skills. In addition to teacher-led sessions, we are able to offer the children the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of activities including athletics, dance, gymnastics, team and co-operative games through our work with the Eden Valley Sports Partnership. These activities will be led by qualified coaches.
We enter inter-school competitions with neighbouring schools. In the Spring term all children in the school attend swimming lessons at Appleby Swimming Pool.
Religious Education & Worldviews
Religious Education & Worldviews
Religious Education and Worldviews in our school is taught in line with the authority’s ‘Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education’. Our approach is based broadly on Christian beliefs but there will be a focus also on Buddhism, Judaism and Islam throughout the school.
Science
Science
Our work in Science is taught in separate topics. Work throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 covers Scientific Enquiry, Life processes and living things, Materials and their properties, and Physical processes.
We promote ‘hands on’ experiences in our Science curriculum. Children are given the opportunity to ask questions, make suggestions, explain and make predictions, design investigations, use scientific apparatus properly and draw conclusions. We give children the opportunity to record their work in a variety of ways: pictures, diagrams, charts and graphs.
Through our Science curriculum we promote important thinking and questioning skills.
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