Monks Risborough Cof E Primary School

Curriculum

At Monks Risborough our concern is with the potential of each individual child and ensuring that children are properly challenged and prepared for subsequent phases of their education. Part of that preparation is addressed through the delivery of a well structured and varied curriculum.

We offer a curriculum that is broad and balanced which considers the variety of abilities and aptitudes of the children being taught. We strive to develop the pupils’ enjoyment of and enthusiasm for learning. The core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and ICT, in which the School’s standards are above the national averages, and the foundation subjects of Technology, History, Geography, Music, Art and P.E. are taught to all children. Religious Education is given a high profile in the school. The teaching of French has been introduced into all Junior school classes.

The Curriculum

English:

The many aspects of Language skills are developed at all levels from the very start of the children’s education at Monks Risborough. The Revised National Literacy Strategy is the main vehicle for the delivery of literacy skills and the children are encouraged to speak and listen appropriately as well as to read and write effectively. Rules of grammar are taught and children have regular spelling practices. Creativity, self expression and imaginative writing are encouraged and developed alongside the taught rules and conventions of writing. Good handwriting is encouraged and focuses on producing a neat, cursive style. Children are taught to join up letters from the very beginning and an ink pen is introduced when the teacher feels that the child is ready.

Reading :

Reading

is taught through a variety of techniques and methods which consider the starting point of the individual child. A structured phonetic approach will usually form the focus of early reading teaching. A variety of schemes are used in the teaching of reading. Children will bring home reading material daily and parents are encouraged to support the child’s reading experiences by sharing, listening to and discussing the content of the child’s book.

Mathematics:

Maths is introduced through a structured, practical approach and is delivered through the Revised National Numeracy Strategy, ensuring continuity and progression throughout the school. Problem solving and investigations are an integral part of our maths teaching and we closely monitor the level of understanding and the children’s ability to apply mathematics. Understanding of number bonds and tables are fundamental arithmetic skills which are taught and reinforced regularly through the Numeracy Strategy.

Science:

The children follow a prescribed curriculum but at all levels the emphasis is on first hand experience and on observation and discovery. The richness of the School’s environment and its immediate surroundings allows science to become meaningful and relevant and is an integral part of all children’s experiences in the subject.

Sex education is taught in such a manner as to encourage children to have due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life. It is taught specifically in Science and P.S.H.E. and other subjects as aspects of sex education arise. However, it is taught specifically to children in Year 6 as part of the prescribed area of study which relates to ‘body functions’. Facts are given in an objective and balanced manner and children’s questions are sensitively dealt with to avoid embarrassment and misunderstanding. The policy statement is available to parents on request.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from sex education lessons.

Information and Communication Technology

The profile of ICT has been raised significantly by the installation of an ICT suite which caters for large groups of children. We also have interactive whiteboards in all classrooms. Full broadband internet access has enabled children to become familiar with the many benefits of information retrieval from a variety of sources and has enabled links to be forged with other schools. The School has a wide range of ICT hardware and software and an excellent scheme of work that will enable all the children to develop the confidence and skills required to use ICT effectively in all areas of the curriculum. The school has also recently established a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), known to the pupils and staff as ‘Monkoodle’. Pupils are given individual login information for this shortly after joining our school.

Design and Technology:

All children are taught to use basic tools and equipment and the necessary skills to enable them to design, make and evaluate artefacts using a variety of materials. Food Technology skills are taught as an important part of the subject.

Music:

Music is an integral part of school life and all children are encouraged to listen, perform, compose and generally appreciate music. Peripatetic music tuition is offered to the older children and we are fortunate to have three flourishing choirs and a school band, The Minstrels, all of whom perform at various times throughout the year, both in school and the community.

Physical Education:

The School makes full use of its excellent facilities for PE. Teachers follow the school’s own scheme of work which ensures that all children have an opportunity to experience a wide variety of physical activities. Swimming is taught to all children in the school’s own learner pool.

Lunchtime or after school clubs include; Netball, Football, Cricket, Athletics, Cross-Country, and Tennis, and children have an opportunity to compete against other schools in all of these activities.

Art:

The creative and aesthetic aspects of children’s education are an important and valued element of their experience at Monks Risborough. Skills are taught using a variety of media so that children can express themselves confidently as well as developing an appreciation of the work of others including recognised artists. There is also a very popular after school Art Club.

History and Geography:

History and Geography are taught as separate subjects and are also interlinked at times as part of a broader topic. Well established schemes of work ensure that children receive a balanced programme and one that encourages good study habits accessing a range of resource materials.

Visits to places of interest are an important part of the programme and help to provide meaningful first-hand experience of the subjects. Use is made not only of the availability of places of significant historical interest but also of the geographical contrast of upland and vale that is evident from the School’s own location. A Year 4 residential field trip to the County’s facility at Shortenills is used to extend the pupils’ environmental and scientific study skills.

French:

French is taught as part of the curriculum in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. The emphasis is on conversational French with some basic reading and writing. We aim to provide an enjoyable and interesting introduction so that children will be keen to pursue the subject in the secondary phase of their education. There is a residential visit to France every other year which is open to all Year 5 and 6 pupils.

Religious Education:

RE is an important part of education at Monks Risborough and includes aspects of the children’s moral and social education. We have an excellent scheme of work that is based on the Revised Bucks Syllabus and have developed an interesting variety of resources. The Christian faith has a high profile but a tolerance, understanding and an appreciation for other major faiths is a necessary and very important part of the children’s religious education at Monks Risborough. Visiting speakers are encouraged and visits to other places of worship help to prepare the children for the multi-cultural and multi-faith world in which they will live.

Parents may, by written request, exclude their child from Religious Education.

Collective Worship:

The school takes advantage of its association with St. Dunstan’s church and holds a number of services at the church. A daily act of worship takes place at school in the form of whole school, key stage or class-based collective worship and usually forms part of a daily assembly.

Parents may, if they so wish, exclude their child from collective worship.

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