St.
John's Primary SchoolTel: 020 8445 4693
St.
John's Primary School
Tel:
020 8445 4693
September 2000 saw the long-awaited opening of our nursery unit. After twenty years of applications to both the Department for Education and The Local Education Authority we have at last been rewarded with a state of the art premises – equipped and wonderfully resourced to meet the needs of young children and offering we believe quite the best introduction to the world of education.
The Foundation Stage begins when children reach the age of three and continues through to the reception class in the first year of primary school. The Foundation Stage prepares children for learning in key stage one and is consistent with the requirements of the National Curriculum. It seeks to underpin all future learning by supporting and developing children’s:
The curriculum is based on the sensible and well-researched assumption that young children learn best when they learn practically. Children must be ‘doing’ rather than just being talked at,discovering and investigating rather than just being told how things work. When we find something out for ourselves it is much easier to remember. To this end, children are introduced to a carefully structured daily routine designed to provide opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge.
We aim to ensure that learning for children is a rewarding and enjoyable experience, that children feel happy and secure in the school environment and that there are plenty of opportunities for them to enjoy challenging and constructive play. Our school environment is thoughtfully and carefully planned to deliver an exciting and challenging introduction to the world of learning and the promotion of positive attitudes towards schoolwork.
National Curriculum (Key Stages 1 and 2)
The requirements of the National Curriculum are met in full at St. John’s CE Primary School. We have developed a structured and challenging curriculum designed to interest and stimulate our children.
Children work on a common National Curriculum which is divided into four Key Stages:
Key Stage 1: 5 - 7 years
Key Stage 2: 7 - 11 years
Key Stage 3: 11 - 14 years
Key Stage 4: 14 - 16 years
The subjects taught include:English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, History, Geography, Music, P.E., Art, Religious Education and Information Technology.
At the end of each Key Stage the children undertake Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) which test what they have learnt.
During Key Stage 1 and 2 the National Curriculum subjects are studied by all children. The curriculum has been designed to ensure that work is not repeated unnecessarily but that everything is covered at the required depth. Priority is given to the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. There will be occasions when children are taught together as a whole class, in small groups (which may be ability based) and individually. Each term parents receive a summary of the work to be covered by their child’s class.
English
We aim to develop the children’s ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing, to listen with understanding and be enthusiastic readers. We teach according to the principles of the national literacy strategy and employ a range of techniques and resources to ensure that pupils can:
The three main components of literacy are speaking and listening, reading and writing. They are developed in the following way:
Speaking and Listening
The development of children’s oral language skills is achieved through developing the use of vocabulary and grammar of standard English and providing opportunities for children to express their ideas.
Reading
We want children to enjoy reading. We aim to teach children to read accurately, fluently and with understanding. We actively encourage parental involvement and ask that you support your child’s reading development by promoting an interest in books and story at home. Our children have access to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books which they are encouraged to borrow. April 2000 saw the grand opening of our new library. Thanks to the hard work and imagination of the staff, the children have a most wonderful and relaxing library to spend time in. Visit it and you will find it hard to leave – lose yourself in a tropical wonderland of books – and discover an interest that will last a lifetime. Reading schemes used around the School include The Oxford Reading Tree and Literacy Web, while commercial resources used to help deliver the literacy programme comprise Heinneman Literacy World and Writers World.
Writing
Children are supported as they begin to learn to write. Great emphasis is placed upon correct letter formation and presentation and children are encouraged to reflect upon and evaluate their work. Our children are taught to write for many purposes and audiences developing their ideas accordingly.
Mathematics
At St. John’s School we use a structured maths scheme, Ginn Abacus maths as the basis for much of the children’s learning and investigative work. Children are encouraged to use and apply maths in practical tasks covering a range of aspects which include: number, shape and space, money, time, length, volume, capacity, weight, area and data handling.
Once again the school follows a national programme – The National Numeracy Strategy. The strategy was first introduced in September 1999 and provides a structured daily maths lesson of 45 minutes to one hour duration for all pupils of primary age. Through a carefully planned programme of study children should leave St. John’s:
Children receive a weekly homework task appropriate to their age and understanding, and with your support and encouragement we hope that all children leave our school with an enjoyment of maths and a sense of achievement.
Information and Communication Technology
During the last three years we have invested approximately twenty-five thousand pounds on upgrading our computer facilities. We are proud to boast a designated room for computing equipped with sixteen modern pc’s, colour printers and a large screen television linked to the computers for presenting and demonstrating children’s work. In addition to this all the classrooms have their own computers – the junior department is networked throughout – and we possess thirty portable word processors that can be used in class, at home by the children and taken offsite for use on school journeys. All of this means that our children have the best opportunity to learn how to use ICT confidently and with purpose.
At key stage one children should be able to:
At key stage two children will develop their skills through using a wider range of ICT tools and information sources. Children should be able to:
Teaching science at primary school involves providing opportunities for children to turn ideas into investigations and develop a scientific way of thinking. Teachers encourage the children to hypothesise, ask questions, predict and observe, carry out tests and interpret results. There are opportunities to present findings to others, using drawings, diagrams, models and writing, whilst learning to respond to the reports of others.
During their time in the school children will develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of science through the study of:
The Foundation Subjects
The ‘core’ subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and ICT are complemented by detailed study across the primary age range of the foundation subjects. We pride ourselves at St. John’s at offering a broad, challenging and rewarding set of experiences for all our children and make every effort to provide a balanced and stimulating curriculum through the following foundation subjects
Design and Technology
September 2001 saw the opening of our new technology/art and craft workshop and we are now able to offer first-rate facilities providing first class experiences and opportunities for children in these areas of the curriculum.
These subjects are taught by specialist staff ensuring high quality teaching and corresponding high levels of attainment.
Humanities
History and geography provide varied and interesting opportunities for children to learn about the world they share with others.
History
History is learning about the past and the ways in which it was different from the present. Children begin by developing a sense of the past and progress to developing knowledge and understanding about the characteristic features of particular periods in our past.
‘History fires pupils curiosity about the past in Britain and the wider world. History provides children with the chance to consider how the past influences the present, what societies were like and how beliefs and cultures influenced people’s actions’. As a consequence we hope that children, through their studies of the past, come to see how the diversity of human experiences has shaped and defined the world we live in and that such knowledge influences decisions about personal choices, attitudes and values.
Geography
Geography is concerned with the study of places, the human and physical processes which shape them and the people who live in them. The study of geography helps our children make sense of their surroundings and the wider world. The children begin by studying their immediate locality and gradually move outwards to look at wider issues. Geography encourages and answers questions about the natural and human world. It develops knowledge of place and environment and provides a sharp focus for understanding and resolving issues about the environment and human development.
As children study geography they encounter different societies and cultures and this can inspire them to think about their own place in the world, their values and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.
Art
We aim to provide children with opportunities to experience and enjoy a wide range of art, craft and design activities. When children begin at St. John’s they work with a range of materials, being encouraged to express creative ideas and feelings. They are introduced to the work of artists so that they develop the skills and knowledge needed to be able to select appropriate resources and work in a safe manner.
We employ an art specialist to help staff effectively deliver the art syllabus across the school. Classrooms are bright and cheerful environments exhibiting the full range of work undertaken by children during the year. Children are encouraged to explore and develop ideas, make, design and evaluate work as well as developing their knowledge of styles and artists across time.
Our opportunities to further develop art for all our pupils will be enhanced by the opening of our technology room which will be carefully designed with a view to doubling up as an art and craft workshop and base for much of the art that we plan.
Music
All children are given opportunities to use, create and respond to music. They are encouraged from the beginning to compose, perform and evaluate the finished product. As the children grow in ability and aptitude they have access to an excellent range of instruments.
There are opportunities to play and receive instruction on keyboards, percussion, recorders, woodwind, string and brass instruments, subject to available facilities. The school has its own orchestra and many children in the junior department learn an orchestral instrument with teachers from the LEA’s music service. In a recent Ofsted report music was regarded ‘a strength of the school’. The school is fortunate to possess a specially appointed music room and talented and committed staff who offer instruction to the highest level.
Many children sit music exams and achieve a high grade by the time they are ready to transfer to secondary school at eleven. It is not uncommon for some talented and hard working children to reach grade 5 on their chosen instrument.
P.E.
P.E. covers a range of activities – netball, football, hockey, rugby, gymnastics, dance, athletics, swimming and outdoor and adventurous activities - all of which are designed to promote the child’s development and physical skills, co-ordination and body control. All the children have access to the school hall and are taught to use the available apparatus. Outdoor activities take place on the playground or on the school field. We teach swimming to Year 4 children attending Oakleigh Park School of Swimming in Whetstone on Monday mornings.
We are continuously looking at ways of making PE exciting and attractive to children. In 1998 four new sports were introduced in the curriculum. We now employ a professional fencing coach to work once a week throughout the year with Year 5 and Year 6 children. Children work towards achieving Grade 1 and 2 awards and are expected to reach a high standard by the end of their second year of instruction.
Trampolining is now a summer term activity for older children and all our juniors receive expert coaching from Totteridge Lawn Tennis Club throughout the year. These three sports are included free of charge and provide stimulating and rewarding challenges to the children.
A canoeing club was introduced for the first time in April 1998. Children attend the Welsh Harp as an after school club, where they receive expert guidance by well-qualified staff from the Barnet Youth Service.
We are always on the look out for new activities and during the past few years our older children have also had the opportunity to try their hand at rock-climbing, golf and horse riding. Plans are in hand to introduce a skiing club during the new year of 2002 – so watch this space for exciting new sports and past-times on offer soon.
R.E.
Religious Education is taught in accordance with the London Diocesan Board for Schools guidelines. Our principal aim is to enable children to realise that religious beliefs and practices are an interpretation of humanities attempts to find a meaning and purpose in life. With the whole learning experience being set in a Christian environment, R.E. in a Church School aims to help children achieve a personal awareness of God in their everyday perceptions of the natural and material world they live in. Through the exploration of religious beliefs and practices, we aim to develop attitudes of tolerance and understanding and to enrich the children’s knowledge so that they can live and work in harmony with fellow citizens of diverse religious cultural and ethnic origins.
Collective Worship
As St. John’s School is a Voluntary Aided School all the acts of collective worship reflect the Christian nature of the School.
The Christian ethos, which includes RE and worship, permeates all aspects of school life. It is expected that parents choosing to send their children to a Church of England school welcome this provision, however this does not affect parents’ statutory right of withdrawal from RE and worship.
Our parish priest Father Kevin Mitchell attends school at least weekly to take a whole school assembly and children regularly attend church at various times of the year to further develop their understanding of the Christian faith.
Personal, Social and Health Education
The school curriculum provides many and varied opportunities to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Central to achieving this aim is the effective implementation of the school’s PHSE programme. The aims of this programme are many and varied and include among others encouraging children to:
An important part of the children’s studies includes sex education. After careful consideration of the content of the programme by governors and through consultation with parents over a period of time, we run a course of study which aims to: