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Curriculum Delivery


Which class will the children be in?

George Palmer Primary School has places for 78 children in the Nursery classes and 60 children in each year group in the Infant and Junior classes. Children in School are in different academic year is September 1st to August 31st. This means that a child born on September 1st in one year is in the same academic year group as a child born on August 31st of the following year. The School is divided into three phases: Foundation Stage Nursery, Reception, Key Stage 1 Year 1 and Year 2 Key Stage 2 Year 3 and Year 4 Year 5 and Year 6 Each phase has its own Phase Leader who is one of the Assistant Headteachers or the Deputy Headteacher and s/he is responsible for the work of the team - all the staff and children working in it. Each child belongs to a class that has its own teacher. The teachers work co-operatively as a team, planning the work and discussing and making decisions based on School policy.

Can my child come to the Nursery?

The Nursery class has 78 part-time places. Children attend the nursery class after their third birthday on a part-time basis before they start full-time School in the infant classes.

When do the children start full-time School?

Children are admitted to full-time School in the Reception classes at the beginning of the school year in which they have their fifth birthday. Parents of children who have a birthday after December 31st can defer the start date until later in the year. You will discuss what is best for your child with nursery or pre-school staff.

What do the Key Stages mean?

The children are described nationally as being in different stages of their education: Nursery and Reception are the Foundation Stage Years 1 and 2 are Key Stage 1 Years 3 to 6 are Keys Stage 2 Every September the children enter the year group.

How does the Governing Body make sure that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilites make progress?

The School Governing Body has a responsibilty to: identify and meet the educational needs of every child by providing: i) acess to a broad balanced curriculum ii) a programme of learning opportunities that allow them to develop their full potential make the necessary and appropriate provision of reources avaliable for special educational needs monitor and review the provision of resources annually encourage parental involvement in the education and development of children with special educational needs set up arrangements for appeals by parents for temporary modification of the National Curriculum for their child appoint a named person with particular responsibilty for Special Education Needs in the School - in our School that is the Inclusion & Diversity Manager Information for parents on Special Educational Needs and the Code of Practice is avaliable from the School office.

How does the School support the children when they are especially good at something?

We recognise that some children will be talented within different areas of the curriculum. We have a senior teacher in charge of the provision that we make for gifted and talented children. Teachers will seek to identify these children and offer appropriate challenge. You will be invited to discuss your child's gifts and/or talents and encouraged to support your child by enabling him/her to attend additional activities.

How is my child encouraged to be physically fit and active?

At this School children can demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in and through the use of their body and its movement. We will encourage children to be physically active and develop their physical competence so that they are able to move efficently, effectively and safely. Each child will take part in competitive and non-competitive activities, which include contact and non-contact games, whilst learning to observe the conventions of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour.

How does the School help children if they are having difficulties learning and/or a disability?

At George Palmer Primary School we aim to meet the needs of all pupils. Our School is designed to meet the needs of children with physical disabilites e.g. we have a lift and wide corridors for children in wheelchairs. We recognise that some children will have learning difficulties and/or that will need additonal support. When we have identified children with additonal needs we decide how best to meet these needs. It might involve an Individual education Plan (IEP) and we may arrange for additonal assessments and extra support/teaching. You will be kept fully informed of your child's progress and invited to attend all meetings about the provision for your child and his/her progress. Our Learning Difficulties and Disabilities Policy clearly states our determination to ensure that all children are included and receive a broad curriculum. We aim to celebrate all their achievments. Staff other than teachers are avaliable to help with your child's learning. Every class has a Learning Support Assistant. In addition our Learning Mentors work with children in Key Stage 2 to help them make faster progress. We also have a LINKS worker who will support children and their families. Staff from outside school will also help children with their learning - people like Speech & Language therapists.

How do children learn about the different religions of the world?

The curriculum content for religious education at George Palmer Primary School is guided by the Reading syllabus. It guides us on planning the lessons that make sure that your child knows all about the religions of the world. Your child will understand how religion shapes the lives of people with different faiths. Through this knowledge and understanding your children will grow up appreciating the importance of people's beliefs.

What is School assembly?

The children come together every day for collective worship which is 'wholly or mainly of broadly Christian character' as part of our assemblies. School worship is different from Church worship in that it has educational priorities and concerns. It gives equal status to all denominations and uses a variety of texts. It reflects the range of faiths of the children at the School. The School aims to show sensitivity to the family's role in religious education but if you would prefer your child to receive teachings only in your own faith or to be withdrawn from all or part of religious education and assemblies please contact the Headteacher.

What will happen when my child learns about sex and personal relationships?

At this School sex education is not taught as a separate subject but as part of our Health Education and Science curriculum. The School Nurse is involved in the programme. Whilst showing sensitivity to our children's individual family circumstances, sex and relationships education will be taught in the context of a conventional family unit. Children at this School need to know that living things reproduce themselves and how this happens. In humans and many other animals they will learn that this occurs in a loving caring relationship. They will be taught the correct names of the parts of their body and learn how babies need to be looked after in the family. As children mature and develp they will be taught about the changes their bodies and emotions go through in puberty. A full detail of the programme for each year group is avaliable from the School. If your child is in Years 5 and 6 you will be invited to a meeting to discuss the content of the lessons. Children will always be involved in work that is appropriate to their level of understanding and maturity. Their questions will always be answered honestly.

Years Two and Six

At the end of Years 2 and 6, the children do the National Standard Assessment Tests (SATS). The year 6 results are published nationally and form part of what are called the 'League Tables' of schools. Helping your child to do their best in the tests is very important for you and the School. You will receive information about how you can help your child.

How do I choose my child's Secondary School?

At the beginning of Year 6 you are required to state your preferences for your child's secondary education. There will be a meeting at school each September to explain the process and answer your questions. You have to make your decision by the end of Term 1. The forms come from Reading Borough Council and you can visit all the secondary schools to help you decide.

How are the children taught?

Teachers use the School schemes of work to determine what is taught in each year group. The schemes follow the statutory documents for schools - Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum for Nursery and Reception and the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. We can also use other guidance from the government including the National Primary Strategy which offers guidance on teaching English and Maths. Work is planned for each year group and links are made between subjects where appropriate. Information about what your child is taught is published each term. A variety of approaches are used to match the children's needs and abilities. The children will work individually, in a small group or in a large group. For some teaching particularly in English, Maths and Science the children may be grouped according to ability.

How long do the children spend on each subject?

The schemes of work are divided into units of study. Some of these units are continous and taught throughout the year, others are blocked units which means they are taught over a limited period, for example the Victorians or Weather around the World. The staff plan what is to be taught for the year, the term, the week and the day. The amount of time for teaching in a week is in the Infant classes 23 hours and Juniors are taught for 23 hours 20 minutes per week. Children spend additional time in assemblies, break and lunchtimes. Over the year we will spend approximately the following amount of time of each subject. English: 225 hours Mathematics: 204 hours Science: 68 hours Information & Communication Technology (ICT): 34 hours Design Technology: 34 hours History: 34 hours Geography: 34 hours Music: 34 hours Art & Design: 34 hours Physical Education: 34 hours Religious Education: 34 hours We have allocated the majority of our learning time to Maths and English which includes at least an hour of each every day. Other subjects are taught on average for an hour or two a week. Much of the work planned in each subject is linked in themes and therefore the total subject hours is greater than the hours avaliable for teaching. The teaching of the curriculum is enriched by the inclusion of: voluntary help in School visitors from the community visits to places connected with the curriculum dance, theatre and music companies audio tapes televison and radio broadcasts Also avaliable are: After School clubs including football.

How can I find out more about what is taught?

You will receive a 'Curriculink' newsletter each term telling you what your child is learning. Full details of the curriculum content are avaliable from the Headteacher. The curriculum documents are avalible to you on request.

Who will teach my child?

Every class has its own teacher and s/he is responsible for all the children in the class. S/he will plan the teaching for your child for most the week. To make sure that all planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) for your child is done to a high standard all the teachers will have time to do this during the school week. During this time your chidl will be taught by the Phase leader or a regular supply teacher. Some teacher have other times when they do not teach their class. This might be because they are in the first year of teaching or because s/he has additional management or leadership responsibilites in the school. All teachers have days when they are involved in additonal training to improve their skills or further their career. On there occasions we arrange for a qualified teacher to take the class. This might be someone employed at the School but may often be a teacher from a supply teacher agency. Sometimes your child might go to another class if the class teacher is absent. Other staff who are differently trained will also support your learning, they are Learning Support Assistants and Learning Mentors.

How can I help my child at home?

Making sure that your child is getting enough sleep on a school night and having a nutritious breakfast will make a fantastic difference to how well your child does at school. All children in School are regularly set homework.The arrangements for homework are explained at the beginning of the term in our 'Curriculink' letters. Homework is set on Monday and handed in on Friday. The amount of homework increases in length and variety as children move through the primary years. It is expected that infant children will spend about one hour a week learning spellings, reading books and undertaking maths activites. The junior children will have about two or three hours a week per week on literacy and numeracy tasks. They may also be given additional research tasks. We expect you to support your children as they complete their homework. Full details are in our leaflet on homework.

How do I know how well my child is doing?

We test and assess children's progress regularly. Children in England are formally assessed at the end of Reception year (Early Learning Goals), Year Two (English and Maths) and in Year Six (English, Maths and Science). There are level descriptions that teachers use to know if children are making the right progress and are able to do the things expected of children of the same age across the country. We will let you know whether your child's work matches to his/her age. Work is assessed by observation, marking work, standardised tests and assessment tasks. We examine all assessment to highlight areas for learning that need re-enforcement. Teachers use these assessments to set targets for each pupil. You will receive regular feedback about your child's progress and will be informed of your childs individual targets. This will take place at parent's meetings and through the annual report. We encourage you to talk to teachers regularly about your child's progress and how you can help them.