Curriculum

The Governors have formally adopted the Devon Curriculum Statement which offers guidance on providing for the whole curriculum (available at the school on request).

The school’s curriculum is a wide-ranging one but must, by law, encompass the National Curriculum of core, foundation subjects and R.E.  These include the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies.

Core: Maths; English; Science; ICT

Foundations Subjects: Technology; History; Geography; Music; Art; Physical Education; PHSE (including Citizenship)

Religious Education is legally required as part of the basic curriculum in the school.

The underlying philosophy is to produce a broad, balanced programme of learning that ensures continuity and progression and enables children to achieve their full potential across the whole curriculum.

Policies for curriculum areas are continually being updated in the light of new initiatives and development within the school.

The National Curriculum Statements of Attainment, Programmes of Study and National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies are available for inspection at the school, as are the school’s own curriculum policies.

Maths

Children will work on the objectives identified in the National Numeracy Strategy.  We believe that children learn best from first hand and practical experience.                                 

Number skills are important in their own right, as they are vital tools for all areas of mathematics. We encourage children to learn such skills as quick recall of number bonds and multiplication facts.
Throughout each school year children will also be working on other Mathematical Attainment targets such as Algebra, Data Handling, Shape and Space and Measures (time, money, capacity, volume, length, weight and area) as detailed in the National Numeracy Strategy. 

They will also be using their mathematical knowledge and understanding in investigation and problem solving activities.

Work throughout the school is augmented and extended by a variety of published mathematical material. Computers are regularly used by the children in their mathematical work.

Language

Listening and Speaking

As a school, we follow the National Literacy Strategy which clearly identifies a progression of objectives in reading and writing for KS1 and KS2.
The development of children’s spoken English is important as it enables them to participate fully in all aspects of school life.  Discussion is important in developing their speech.   We encourage children to respect the views of others, while also asserting their own ideas.

Reading

The ability to read is vital to all aspects of a child’s learning.  We adopt an individual approach to the teaching of reading, based on our assessment of each child’s need.  Each classroom has its own selection of reading materials – Fiction and Non-fiction appropriate to the age of the children.

We also use small sets of books to meet the needs of children who learn best through a highly structured approach.  (More information about early reading is available in our other booklet given to parents of all new entrants).

All children participate in daily guided reading sessions and associated
activities, in addition to daily literacy sessions.

We also have a well resourced school library where all children can
choose books regularly.

Writing

We want to help our children become confident, independent writers.

We want them to develop an ability to use writing to express their feelings, demonstrate their knowledge, organise their thoughts and express their creativity.

We believe that it is important that children are given a range of meaningful writing tasks related, where possible, to their own first-hand experiences – and we try to provide a variety of audiences for their work.

Our aim is that they should have knowledge about grammar, spelling rules and presentation, to enable them to write accurately and neatly, but also to write with enjoyment, enthusiasm and confidence.

Information and Communication Technology

Our ICT Suite of 18 computers has been replaced (Summer Term 2006).  In addition to the Suite, we have 6 computers in the 1665 block and 7 laptops. Interactive Whiteboards are in 6 of the classrooms with plans to have all classes set up with this technology by September 2008.

Science

We follow the National Curriculum themes of “Life and Living Processes”, “Materials and their Properties” and “Physical Processes.”  We also aim to teach children the science skills of observation, questioning, fair testing and interpreting results, as well as an awareness of safety.  Children are also taught how to record and communicate their discoveries in meaningful ways.

Through Science, we try to show children some of the wonders of the world about them.  Where possible we teach Science as a practical “hands on” subject. We try to develop qualities of co-operation, perseverance and enquiry.  It is our aim that children should develop and progress smoothly from Reception right up to Year 6 and that the transition to Key Stage 3 should be equally smooth.   

Geography

Much of the physical geography is naturally incorporated into the Science units children follow.  Where possible, human geography is addressed by the study of local areas, where it provides relevance and first hand experience for the children.

Other locations in Britain and around the world are also studied.

Geographical skills, such as map reading, are taught in a systematic way which allows for progression and continuity.

History

Where possible, we make use of the rich historical environment that surrounds the Bere Peninsula and Dartmoor to teach our History curriculum.  We encourage children to make use of historical resources such as grandparents and senior members of our community, artefacts and photographs.

Aspects of world history are studied and children are encouraged to consider causes and consequences of events and also be aware of the various interpretations of historical events.

Sex Education

The Governors have decided that sex education (beyond that necessary under National Curriculum Science) should be included in the school’s curriculum.  It is part of the Science Policy of the school.  Parents will be fully informed about the content and teaching of any sex education planned for their children.  Parents have the right to withdraw children from the sessions but would encourage parents to have a dialogue with the school before making that decision.

Music

Every week the children in Years 1 – 6 have a 45 minute music lesson with our music specialist, Mrs Wright.  In Year 3 the children have drumming lessons.  Children can also join the beginner or advanced Recorder Club which takes place during the lunchtime break.

There is also the opportunity for parents to buy into a private music tuition package run by Norman’s Music, for trumpet, flute, clarinet, guitar, keyboard and cornet.  Further information is available from the school.  There is also a thriving and highly successful school choir who perform at school events throughout the year.

Religious Education

The aims of Religious Education at Bere Alston are to contribute to the development of pupils’ own beliefs and values and an awareness of their moral responsibilities.  We also aim to develop an understanding of Christianity and knowledge of other world religions.  Religious Education is planned using Devon’s Agreed Syllabus (S.A.C.R.E.)

Acts of Worship

In accordance with law, most Acts of Worship are of a Christian nature.  Our assemblies provide opportunities of gathering together to sing and share religious experiences.  Parents do have a right to withdraw their children from an Act of Worship.

Art & Craft/Technology

Both are central to many aspects of the children’s learning.  We aim, through the exploration of a variety of different media, to develop the children’s imagination and originality. Display is seen as an important factor in providing a stimulating environment in which the children can learn.  Having their own artwork on display is an important feature of school life.

All children have opportunities to develop cookery skills as they progress through  the school.

Physical Education

We aim to teach the children a wide range of skills so that they may participate in individual sports and team games.  Self-esteem, positive attitudes and sportsmanship are important elements of the children’s Physical Education, as is basic fitness.

Every child, from Year 1 to Year 6, has specialist gymnastic and dance sessions.

We are fortunate to have such a splendid Sports Hall which enables P.E. and Games sessions to take place all year, regardless of the weather.  Our outside games facilities are equally as good and are made full use of when the weather permits.

Swimming

Every year the children have a series of 6 x 1 hour swimming lessons at Tavistock Meadowlands.  This activity is subsidised by Friends of School and the School Budget, but we do have to ask for a parental contribution of £12 per 6 sessions.  This helps to pay for transport, the entry fee and badges.  Parents help with this activity but we also employ a swimming instructor.  We start in September with Year 6 and work our way through each year group, ending with Year 1 children.  Our aim is that every child will leave our school being able to swim!