At Latchingdon we teach our curriculum through a thematic approach where possible, because children find this more interesting and we can capture their enthusiasm to develop subject specific skills in a purposeful way. Children are also able to see the connections between the different subject areas.
We believe that children should develop independence and the ability to take responsibility for their own learning. We support our children in becoming ‘aspirational’ – aiming high – in order to make the most of their learning opportunities.
Maths – Miss Spicer
English/Phonics – Mrs Peacock
Wellbeing Ambassador – Mrs Bishop
Creative Ambassador – Mrs Lottering
Ingenuity Ambassadors – Mrs Strathern & Mrs Deacon
Curiosity Ambassador – Mrs Kemp
All other subjects will be led jointly, using staff meeting time in rotation.
Children learn best when:
Speaking and Listening
Speaking and listening skills are developed as an integral part of our learning in all subjects. Through our topic work we ensure that children’s vocabulary is developed. Use of talk partners enables children to practise talk and dialogue for learning. We use drama to explore different types of talk and ‘Talk for Writing’ which involves children in learning and retelling stories.
Reading
Reading in school starts with a phonic based approach to learning to read. Our Reception children enjoy learning the corresponding sound (or phoneme) for each letter through rhymes, songs and actions. This approach is supplemented by the use of ‘Jolly Phonics’ so that children have a secure knowledge of all their sounds for reading in years 1 and 2. Reading books are carefully banded with reading based on texts at an appropriate level for the child’s decoding skills. Reading comprehension also starts from the very beginning with guided reading sessions to explore understanding.
Once children have learned to reliably decode print, guided reading continues throughout Key stage 2 to explore the skills of:
We encourage a love of reading through the reading of stories regularly in class as well as a daily quiet or shared reading time. Children are able to select a wide variety of books and we have recently introduced a Book Swop Scheme. Children are also encouraged to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge at the local library.
Writing
In the earliest stages children are encouraged to breakdown the sounds they hear in words and use their phonic skills to write them as part of their daily phonics sessions.
They are taught correct letter formation using the cursive style and are encouraged to have-a-go at writing in a variety of ‘play’ settings as well as in guided groups with the teacher.
We use class topic work as a focus for reading and writing activities. Our children enjoy writing and the ‘Talk for Writing’ approach will give children plenty of oral rehearsal before writing so that they feel confident and clear about the content of their writing before they start.
We ensure that children have a variety of purposes and contexts for their writing, including Newspaper reports, letters, diaries, reports, biographies, instructions, persuasion, discussion and recounts. In addition, children are also taught grammar and punctuation daily. Spelling skills and strategies are taught weekly and parents are asked to help children with learning spellings at home as part of homework.
Our core teaching in Mathematics follows the Abacus Scheme published by Pearson. Using a scheme ensures a structured progression of maths skills with a consistent approach from year 1 to year 6. The published scheme includes active problem solving as well as bookwork and our teachers supplement the scheme with a variety of activities and resources which make the maths learning more lively and connect it with real life experiences.
We place a strong emphasis on the learning of key maths facts (addition and subtraction of numbers to 20, and multiplication facts to 12 x 12) and we ask parents to help with homework practice to ensure that children have instant recall of these facts which they will need for more advanced problem solving.
We have a two year rolling programme to ensure continuity and progression in our science teaching from year 1 to year 6 and to make sure children in mixed year groups cover all units of study. Children enjoy learning the skills of being a scientist through planning, carrying out and evaluating regular investigations as well as learning about the important science concepts and knowledge.
Information and Communication Technology is an aid to pupils’ learning and is a powerful tool in the teaching of children. Children have a weekly computing lesson and access to technology to support other lessons.
E-safety is taught in all classes, at an appropriate level annually.
These subjects are taught through a different topic each half-term. We take the children on educational visits and organise speakers and workshops to make these as interesting as possible. We also plan whole school themed weeks during the year which often focus on a particular country.
We follow the Norfolk agreed syllabus for RE 2019 which ensures a rich mix of learning about Christianity and other World Religions through themes. Through Collective Worship we also teach children about special days and festivals celebrated by Christians and other faiths.
We aim to enable our pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. We encourage them to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community which develops their sense of self- worth. Pupils learn how society is organised and governed. We ensure that they experience the process of democracy in school through the School Council and that they learn about rights and responsibilities. They also learn to appreciate what it can mean to be a positive member of a multicultural society.
Emphasis is placed on active learning by involving the pupils in discussions, investigations and problem-solving activities. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a range of activities, e.g. charity fundraising or the planning of special events such as an assembly.
Pupils participate in discussion to resolve conflicts and set agreed classroom rules of behaviour. Opportunities are provided for pupils to hear visiting speakers, such as health workers, police, representatives from charities and the local church talking about their role in creating a positive and supportive local community.
Collective Worship is based on the Roots and Fruits Scheme and is followed up in classroom with links to other subjects where possible.
Relationship, Health and Sex Education is taught in all year groups, at an appropriate level, using resources from the Christopher Winter Project. Parents may request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of the Sex Education but cannot withdraw them from Relationship and Health Education. Parents are always welcome to discuss any concerns with us.
Weekly music sessions develop children’s sense of rhythm, timing and pitch through listening and composition activities based on the ‘Charanga’ Scheme of work produced by Essex Music Services.
We have a wide variety of instruments in school. A Specialist Teacher, who visits the school each week, teaches individual children piano, keyboard and guitar. Children also have additional opportunities to sing in worship and for school performances.
Art is based on our cross-curricular themes and planning ensures that the skills to be taught are covered each year through these themes. We make sure that children have the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques.
Our design Technology curriculum is linked to our topic themes and science work. Children are able to be creative whilst developing their skills in designing, making and evaluating products. By the time pupils leave school we want them to be able to make informed choices about products that they use, to analyse, investigate and make judgements about simple products.
Children in KS1 are introduced to French through activities such as counting and answering the register.
In KS2, children learn French using the Rigolo programme which is interactive and fun. Children develop their knowledge of the language through different activities such as games, songs and rhymes.
All classes have two hours of PE each week. In addition to lessons taught by class teachers, we employ an experienced sports coach for one day per week to provide lessons for all classes. The school takes part in activities and tournaments with other local schools, including football, tag rugby, country dancing, cricket and cross country.
After school clubs in variety of sports, dance and athletics are run at different times of the year.
