Meadowside Primary School offers a broad and balanced curriculum which takes account of National and Local Education Authority initiatives. There are three stages of education within our school, The Foundation Stage (ages 4 to 5 yrs) and The National Curriculum at Key Stage 1 (ages 5 to 7 yrs) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11 yrs). All our staff work closely together to ensure there is clear continuity and progression in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding from Reception through to Year 6.

We offer a creative approach to our curriculum where children experience a broad range of experiences and opportunities.

Foundation Stage

 The Foundation Stage is a two year programme for children aged 3 to 5 years, the first year is introduced at Nursery or Pre-School and the second year is continued in our Reception year.

 The Foundation Stage is organised into seven areas of learning; these are as follows:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the World  
• Expressive arts and design

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2   

Personal, Social and Health Education are not National Curriculum subjects but we work within national guidelines in developing these important areas. Religious Education is not a National Curriculum subject but is based on the Northamptonshire Agreed Syllabus.

Spanish is taught throughout Key Stage 2.

English

We aim to:

• develop all aspects of English i.e. Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing.
• encourage high standards in both spoken and written work
• provide a range of speaking and listening experiences including group discussion and drama                 
• develop and promote skills of reading for information and enjoyment using fiction and non fiction texts
• teach how to spell and encourage correct use of spellings in pupils’ own writing
• teach handwriting skills in order for each child to develop a legible and fluent style
• ensure that pupils have the competence to write in different contexts and for a variety of purposes

Mathematics

We aim to:                                                

• use practical experiences to explore all aspects of mathematics
• teach and develop concepts and skills in number and calculation this includes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• build a good working knowledge of money and time                            
• introduce algebra, probability and fractions
• develop understanding of measures, shape and space
• introduce children to data handling through graphs, charts, tables and simple statistics.
• teach the children to apply their skills and understanding in a range of problem solving activities
• make the work relevant to the children’s lives and interests

Science

We aim to:

• encourage curiosity, accurate observations, and an enquiring mind through scientific investigations
• provide opportunities to plan, predict, compare, hypothesise, record and reflect.  
• increase knowledge and understanding of life and living processes, materials and their properties, and physical processes through practical activities

Drugs

Our drugs education programme is in context with the age of our children and included within our science programmes of study and personal, social and health education.  

We aim to:

• provide children with the knowledge and understanding about the role of drugs as medicines
• teach the children in Key Stage 2 about the effects of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and how these relate to their personal health
• provide a safe environment for children to share their thoughts and ideas
• help children become self confident so that they are able to make sensible and informed decisions about their lives
• let children know what they should do if they come across drugs, or become aware of other people misusing drugs
• help children respect their bodies. 

Computing

We aim to:

• provide the children with the skills to become confident users, explorers and communicators.
• include the use of:
  • computers
  • video recorders and camcorders
  • DVD players and recorders
  • digital cameras
  • control technology
  • sensors
  • interactive technology
• use all these forms of ICT for storing, retrieving and refining information.
• to develop logical and creative thinking through control technology and computer simulations.
• to provide each child with experience of a variety of software
• develop skills in word-processing, graphic and data handling
• enable children to explore relevant internet websites and develop email skills ( in accordance with our Internet Policy)
• use ICT to develop our children’s learning throughout the whole curriculum

Music

We aim to:

• give each child opportunities to explore a wide variety of different styles and forms of music and singing
• explore and enjoy various practical music making activities.
• encourage children to begin to play a musical instrument.

Art

We aim to:

• give the children the skills and opportunities to express themselves in a variety of media and forms
• encourage children to observe and comment on their environment, both natural and man-made
• give children opportunities to explore the creativity of artists, crafts people and designers from a variety of cultures and eras, and to develop their own
• encourage children to evaluate their own work and that of others.

Physical Education (P.E.)

We aim to:

• encourage pupils to be physically active, understanding the importance of physical education
• improve flexibility, strength, co-ordination and stamina through dance, games and gymnastics; in Key Stage 2 we also teach athletics, swimming and outdoor and adventure activities.

Geography

We aim to:

• give children opportunities to acquire a knowledge of different places and environments throughout the world
• to develop geographical knowledge and understanding through practical activities including field work, visits and the use of maps.
• learn about:
  • our own and different localities in the UK and the wider world
  • weather and climate
  • environmental changes and developments
  • how settlements differ and change
  • water and its effect on landscapes and people.

History

We aim to:

• provide opportunities to learn about the past through studying a range of historical eras, events and people
• compare and contrast the past and present through a variety of ways including the use of:
  • books
  • artefacts
  • pictures
  • people
  • ICT
  • Visits

Design and Technology

We aim to:

• offer a wide range of practical activities through which the children experience how things work
• give opportunities for children to design, make and evaluate their own work.
• teach a wide range of skills and use a variety of tools and materials including clay, wood, construction kits, textiles and food.

Religious Education

Religious Education, although not part of the National Curriculum is a statutory part of the curriculum and we use The Northamptonshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Through religious education we emphasise empathy, rejection of prejudice and tolerance of different views.

We aim:

• promote knowledge and understanding of the key beliefs of Christianity, Christian worship, the Bible and Christian festivals
• develop an awareness and understanding of other faiths and beliefs, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism
• explore wider themes such as world festivals and creation stories.
• nurture a caring, responsible attitude to the world environment and people.  

Personal, Social and Health Education

We aim to

• enable children to become healthy independent, confident and responsible members of society
• develop self confidence and self esteem
• enable children to make informed choices regarding personal and social issues
• give children the skills to be independent and responsible members of our schools and community.
• help children to listen, communicate and approach problems and difficulties positively
• encourage children to respect others and develop good relationships
• teach children to understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle
• give children an awareness of safety issues.

Relationship Education

This is part of our Personal, Social and Health curriculum and is a legal requirement, however, parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child except from those aspects which are part of the National Curriculum. As appropriate to the age range of our children and stressing the importance of loving relationships and family life we deal with questions honestly, factually and sensitively. In the summer term of Year 6 we write to parents/carers explaining our end of Key Stage 2 Relationship Education programme and seek consent for children to be involved in these lessons.

We teach children about:

• the physical development of their bodies as they grow into adults
• respect for their own bodies
• the importance of family life
• moral questions
• relationship issues
• respect for the views of other people
• what they should do if they are worried about any personal or relationship issues.