The Curriculum
Telephone: 01633 244491
Chief Education Officer: Dr Brett Pugh
THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
The teaching of the National Curriculum is a legal requirement in all state schools.
Mount Pleasant Primary School teaches Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum. Foundation Phase involves children aged 5 - 7 years and KS2 involves children aged 7 - 11 years.
Those children entering school at age 4 fall outside National Curriculum requirements, but will be introduced to the skills and knowledge within an appropriate early years curriculum. This allows for a smooth transition into Foundation Phase.
The subjects of the National Curriculum are as follows:
KS2
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Core Subjects |
Foundation Subjects |
Foundation Phase |
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English |
History |
Key areas of learning |
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Mathematics |
Geography |
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Science |
Design Technology |
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Welsh Second Language |
Information Technology |
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Music Physical Education |
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Art |
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ICT |
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Religious Education, whilst not included as a National Curriculum subject, is a statutory requirement for all children unless parents request otherwise.
Welsh Second Language is taught throughout Reception to Year 6. It is taught incidentally and through a structure teaching programme based on themes. Currently, the school has the support of an 'Athrawon Bro' for one hour every three weeks.
The National Curriculum has provided schools with a progressive framework of skills and knowledge to be taught. Within its structure, the school has the freedom to choose the most appropriate methods in which to deliver it. In Mount Pleasant we match the delivery of the curriculum to the needs of the children and the content of the lesson. The methods used will be class, small group, and individual.
Our endeavour is to provide our children with a curriculum appropriate to their needs now and in the future, enriched with worthwhile experiences and opportunities.
Mount Pleasant Primary School uses a thematic planning approach through the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. Topic mind-maps highlight curriculum coverage. They highlight discrete areas of teaching, e.g. Mathematics.
- For the Foundation Phase, teachers use an Umbrella Topic for the term, e.g. I am ... You are/Pirates and Princesses.
- They then create mind-maps for the seven key areas of learning: Language and Communication, Mathematical Development, Physical Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Creative Development, Welsh Development, Personal and Social Well Being and Cultural Diversity on a fortnightly basis
- In addition, weekly plans highlight differentiated activities, assessment opportunities and resources. Planning is also linked to the School Improvement Plan
- For Key Stage Two, teachers create mind-maps for the curriculum subjects of: English, Mathematics, Science, Welsh, History, Geography, RE, Music, Art, PE, DT and PSE.
- For Key Stage Two, overview plans for subjects detail main objectives, differentiated activities, assessment opportunities and resources. They also show linkage to the School Improvement Plan.
- Weekly planning grids highlight the main learning outcomes for each session and are completed by teachers during the weekly planning and preparation time.
- When mind-maps in the Foundation Phase and KS2 have been created, teachers highlight the skills that the children will be taught on the Skills grid. This ensures skills coverage.
- An ALN identification sheet accompanies weekly/fortnightly planning grids and highlights how those children with additional learning needs are supported.
- A Thinking skills lesson is taught every week in each year group.
Children are continuously assessed throughout their time at school by the teaching staff. At the end of Foundation Phase and KS2, 7 and 11 years respectively, children are assessed and this information is submitted to the LEA and then to the Welsh Assembly. At Foundation Phase the teacher assesses the children in reading, writing, mathematics and science. At KS2, teacher assessment takes place in English, mathematics and science.
The results of the teacher assessments will be included in your child's school report and discussed at Parent Consultations in the Summer Term.
Pupils in reception are given a base line assessment as they enter school. Year 1 children undergo standardised testing in English and mathematics each year, whilst Year 2 to year 5 children undertake annual tests in reading, English and mathematics. In years 3 and 5 the children are given a non-verbal reasoning test.
These tests offer the school diagnostic information from which future learning can be planned.
All parents are offered a twice annual consultation of 10 minutes duration with the class teacher. These take place in the autumn and summer terms. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of these sessions. In the autumn and summer terms your child's exercise books will be available for you to browse through, and in the summer term their 'Record of Achievement' will also be available. Following the summer term consultation, we ask that you fill in a comment form on your perception of your child's progress for that year. This will form part of their ROA.
If at any time you should have a concern or a query, regarding your child's progress, please do not hesitate to speak with the class teacher or the headteacher.
Formal written reports are sent home by pupil post in the summer term.
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THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM
The teaching of the National Curriculum is a legal requirement in all state schools.
Mount Pleasant Primary School teaches stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum. These are known as Key Stages and involve children aged 5 - 7 years at KS1 and 7 - 11 years at KS2.
Those children entering school at age 4 fall outside National Curriculum requirements, but will be introduced to the skills and knowledge within an appropriate early years curriculum. This allows for a smooth transition into KS1.
The subjects of the National Curriculum are as follows:
KS2
|
Core Subjects |
Foundation Subjects |
Foundation Phase |
|
|
|
|
|
English |
History |
Key areas of learning |
|
Mathematics |
Geography |
|
|
Science |
Design Technology |
|
|
Welsh Second Language |
Information Technology |
|
|
|
Music Physical Education |
|
|
|
Art |
|
|
|
ICT |
|
|
|
|
|
Religious Education, whilst not included as a National Curriculum subject, is a statutory requirement for all children unless parents request otherwise.
Welsh Second Language is taught throughout Reception to Year 6. It is taught incidentally and through a structure teaching programme based on themes. Currently, the school has the support of an ‘Athrawon Bro' for one hour every three weeks.
The National Curriculum has provided schools with a progressive framework of skills and knowledge to be taught. Within its structure, the school has the freedom to choose the most appropriate methods in which to deliver it. In Mount Pleasant we match the delivery of the curriculum to the needs of the children and the content of the lesson. The methods used will be class, small group, and individual.
Our endeavour is to provide our children with a curriculum appropriate to their needs now and in the future, enriched with worthwhile experiences and opportunities.
Mount Pleasant Primary School uses a thematic planning approach through the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2.. Topic mind-maps highlight curriculum coverage. They highlight discrete areas of teaching, e.g. Mathematics.
For the Foundation Phase, teachers use an Umbrella Topic for the term, e.g. I am ... You are/Pirates and Princesses.
- They then create mind-maps for the seven key areas of learning: Language and Communication, Mathematical Development, Physical Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Creative Development, Welsh Development, Personal and Social Well Being and Cultural Diversity on a fortnightly basis
- In addition, weekly plans highlight differentiated activities, assessment opportunities and resources. Planning is also linked to the School Improvement Plan
- For Key Stage Two, teachers create mind-maps for the curriculum subjects of: English, Mathematics, Science, Welsh, History, Geography, RE, Music, Art, PE, DT and PSE.
- For Key Stage Two, overview plans for subjects detail main objectives, differentiated activities, assessment opportunities and resources. They also show linkage to the School Improvement Plan.
- Weekly planning grids highlight the main learning outcomes for each session and are completed by teachers during the weekly planning and preparation time.
- When mind-maps in the Foundation Phase and KS2 have been created, teachers highlight the skills that the children will be taught on the Skills grid. This ensures skills coverage.
- An ALN identification sheet accompanies weekly/fortnightly planning grids and highlights how those children with additional learning needs are supported.
- A Thinking skills lesson is taught every week in each year group.
Children are continuously assessed throughout their time at school by the teaching staff. At the end of KS1 and KS2, 7 and 11 years respectively, children are assessed and this information is submitted to the LEA and then to the Welsh Assembly. At KS1 the teacher assesses the children in reading, writing, mathematics and science. At KS2, teacher assessment takes place in English, mathematics and science. The results of the teacher assessments will be included in your child's school report and discussed at Parent Consultations in the Summer Term.
Pupils in reception are given a base line assessment as they enter school. Year 1 children undergo standardised testing in English and mathematics each year, whilst Year 2 to year 5 children undertake annual tests in reading, English and mathematics. In years 3 and 5 the children are given a non-verbal reasoning test.
These tests offers the school diagnostic information from which future learning can be planned.
All parents are offered a twice annual consultation of 10 minutes duration with the class teacher. These take place in the autumn and summer terms. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of these sessions. In the autumn and summer terms your child's exercise books will be available for you to browse through, and in the summer term their ‘Record of Achievement' will also be available. Following the summer term consultation, we ask that you fill in a comment form on your perception of your child's progress for that year. This will form part of their ROA.
If at any time you should have a concern or a query, regarding your child's progress, please do not hesitate to speak with the class teacher or the headteacher.
Formal written reports are sent home by pupil post in the summer term.
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Opportunities for enhancing and enriching the education your child receives is taken readily. Visits to support projects are made, and guest speakers are invited to dialogue with the children. Practising writers,artists, musicians, actors, choreographers, publishers, set designers, etc. at appropriate times, are employed to work with the children. This dissemination of skills and knowledge is invaluable to the development of the whole child.