New Sports Skills
Working Together
Music Lessons
Science Projects
Learning the science behind it all
Helping out
Working through the problem
Working Together
Learning the science behind it all
Working through the problem
At Frances Olive Anderson C of E Primary School we follow the National Curriculum 2014. For further information please see termly curriculum letters for each year group, Please contact the school via e mail if you require further information about our curriculum.
At Frances Olive Anderson C of E Primary School we provide a rich, exciting and stimulating curriculum for our children to learn through. We believe in making the learning as real and relevant as possible and plan WOW days around the learning; we aim for an end product/project from our topics. For example, this term the topic is ‘People Who Have Made a Significant Difference’, which will lead to the creation of a school book of biographies which we will have published. Following our topic on Rio Carnival we are holding a summer carnival as a fundraising event. We teach cross curricular, incorporating English and Mathematical skills throughout and adapt our teaching and learning methods to suit the groups of children we are working with. Throughout all we do we instil in our children the importance of developing a growth mind set and those behaviours for learning which support this, such as; perseverance, motivation, reflection on previous learning, use of knowledge we already have, team work, resilience and an emotional maturity to problem solve.
Please follow the links on the left of the page to find out more about the individual subjects. Our long term plan is under review and with staff and pupils we will develop a rolling programme of topics which inspire and enable us to teach the skills, knowledge and understanding the National Curriculum states in an engaging way.
At Frances Olive Anderson CE Primary School we value art and design as an important tool for communication, self-expression and fun! Across the school, children are encouraged to explore their ideas and feelings through a range of processes and materials. The work of other artists, architects and designers is used to inspire the children and they also learn about the work they have created. Children are encouraged to work alone and with other children to create work in both small and large pieces.
A variety of materials are used in art and design lessons across the school and a range of techniques are taught to ensure children can create pieces using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. Children develop their control and techniques through creativity and experimentation. We aim to relate all our art and design lessons to our whole school topic each term.
At Frances Olive Anderson CE Primary School we aim to equip our children with the necessary computing knowledge and skills to thrive in an ever changing technological world. We also strongly believe that the use of computing in school supports the children's learning in all areas and presents information in a visual interactive way, incorporating different learning styles within the classroom.
We are fortunate to have Sahara Clevertouch interactive touch screens in all classrooms and also a large computer suite to enable computing to be taught as a whole class.
Computing also has a huge impact in all areas of the curriculum using the large amount of software programs that can be accessed from every computer in the school. We are lucky enough to be able to bring the curriculum to life by using digital cameras and iPads.
More in-depth information about the computing curriculum.
We continue to aim to relate our DT work to the main topics for each term. Through DT we aim to develop the children's thinking skills and encourage them to try out their own ideas. In any project the children will investigate, plan, implement and then evaluate the effectiveness of their work. During the coming year we will be exploring opportunities for developing enterprise initiatives and, if possible, try to link them into the DT curriculum.
We want to ensure that children:
English, or Literacy, is split into three main areas which are: speaking and listening, reading and writing. Through our cross curricular approach to teaching, we ensure literacy is at the heart of each topic and meaningful links are developed to provide stimulating experiences for reading and writing.
Speaking and Listening
Speaking and listening are the root of all learning. We use a wide range of speaking and listening strategies, including drama, thought tracking, freeze framing and hot seating to allow our children to immerse themselves in the content of the text.
Reading
Reading is held in high importance within the school as every child should read to enjoy. A great reader makes a great writer!
Phonics
Phonics is the first step to reading whereby the children are taught the 44 sounds of the English language. Phonics is taught in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, using the Ruth Miskin Read, Write, Inc programme. If children in Key Stage 2 still require phonics input they will remain on the Read, Write, Inc programme until Year 5/6 where they will then take part in the RWI Fresh Start programme.
Guided reading
Guided Reading takes place outside the Literacy Session. Each group of children work with their teacher or teaching assistant once a week at KS1 depending on the perceived needs of the children concerned. In KS2 the children have a Guided Reading session once a fortnight and will work with their teacher or teaching assistant. Records of books read and children’s progress is recorded by the teacher.
Independent reading
Independent reading is promoted in school through the use of book corners within all classrooms. Within Key Stage 1 home readers play an important role in developing children’s phonics skills along with Guided Reading sessions. Within Key Stage 2 children are encourage to read more independently supported by the use of book review books and will be given time in class for silent reading. Children also get time to borrow books from the library in each class. We work closely with parents to encourage children to read or be read to at home.
Writing
Teachers follow units of learning linked to the Cornerstones curriculum to ensure a good coverage of different genres. Teachers follow the National Curriculum expectation and teach to the needs of their children ensuring expectations are high.
Each term a wow write day is planned allowing children to revisit different genres taught across the year ensuring they are retaining skills taught. Work is displayed on the Champion Writers display in the hall showing progression across the year groups.
Spelling
Once children have finished the Read Write Inc Phonics programme they are taught spelling using Read Write Inc Spelling. This teaches the expectations of the National Curriculum in daily 20 minute sessions. Children record and log spellings they need to practise and learn. Children are also given a weekly spelling test (words to learn) based on the National Curriculum spelling lists for each year group.
Grammar
Within Key Stage 1 the requirements of the national curriculum are through the Read Write inc phonics programme. Once children have finished this they will move onto the active grammar programme. Children are taught Grammar specific terminology in a 15 minute starter to the normal English session. Children are given time to recall and learn using flash cards and images related to Grammar terminology, Read and Respond and Create and Learn, where children practise and consolidate learning. This is then linked to normal English sessions and objectives.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework for children's development from birth to the end of the Reception class. It is based on ongoing observation and assessment in the following areas of learning:
The prime areas of learning:
The specific areas of learning:
Each of these areas are taught through cross curricular, play based learning experiences and all are equally important.
The EYFS is based on four important principles,
Geography plays a major role in the curriculum at Frances Olive Anderson Primary School. Children learn about the world around them in a variety of ways. We aim to create a sense of wonder about the world whilst also promoting a sense of responsibility. Children's geographical skills are developed through a range of investigation, decision making and problem solving activities.
In Early Years Foundation Stage , Geography is taught under the umbrella of Knowledge and Understanding of the World. In Key Stage One children learn mainly about their local area and also begin to look at contrasting places around the world.
In Key Stage Two, children begin to learn more about the wider world and the issues that affect both the environment and the people living in it. Geography is integrated into many other areas of the curriculum, including literacy and art, where children have the chance to put their geographical skills into practice.
Children’s geography is also enriched with regular themed weeks throughout the year. In the past, children have enjoyed learning more about other cultures and countries in multi-cultural activities as well as having the opportunity to find out about particular countries.
We try to encourage the children to make a positive contribution to their environment. We have recycling facilities at school and each class also has their own allotment patch, giving the children the opportunity to grow, cook and eat their own fruit and vegetables.
Through our history teaching at Frances Olive Anderson CE Primary School we aim to develop pupils' skills in the following areas:
We teach these through a range of topics, using ideas from the pupils as a basis for teaching and learning. Pupils enjoy history and are always keen to learn!
Different events and periods in history are covered throughout both key stages. In Key Stage 1 children study topics such as significant events and daily lives of people from the past. In Key Stage 2 the focus moves to studies of different periods of history such as Ancient China and other changes and impacts on Britain. As part of our pupil-centred creative curriculum, children's ideas form the basis for our learning within a topic, with the history skills above being taught throughout and continuously.
History is taught in an exciting and practical way with children using a range of sources to learn about the past, such as artefacts, photographs and written sources, including both ICT and book based. Purposeful links are made with other areas of the curriculum in order to strengthen learning, for example using historical events as a stimulus for writing. Visits, visitors and themed sessions are used to support learning in history. These have included a visit to The Collection in Lincoln to learn how to be an archaeologist and discover Roman relics, as well as visits from local history experts. Such events are thoroughly enjoyed by the children and help to further develop their understanding of a topic and their history skills.
At Frances Olive Anderson we are one of the leading schools in the country for our international work having been short-listed for a Times Educational Award for International School of the year. The Governors and staff of Lea Primary School have always promoted and valued an International dimension in the school curriculum and for the wider experience of its pupils. We wish to prepare our pupils so that, with confidence in themselves and respect for others they can live and work in a changing world.
We believe the school has a vital role in preparing pupils for International citizenship. The promotion of the International dimension in all aspects of the curriculum will assist in removing barriers between cultures; encourage openness and positive communication between individuals and groups.
At Lea School we are very proud of our links with Mohammad Shamel School, Beirut, Lebanon, and throughout the year many projects are shared focussing on a range of global themes.
Through our partnership projects, we have encourage the children to think about the difficult subject of conflict and peace. We felt that in today’s current climate, with the war in Syria and Islamic terror threats being constantly in the news, it was essential the children should know about what is happening in the world and what better way than from children who have experienced it first-hand. The projects have given the pupils an opportunity to apply what they have learnt in the classroom to the real world, and given them a more rounded knowledge of what is happening in the news.
Throughout the projects the children have had a strong virtual link with the children in Lebanon, through Skype. This face to face interaction between the pupils has promoted empathy and developed a bond between the children.
Download a copy of information about INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS / CULTURAL CONNECTIONSM.
At Frances Olive Anderson C of E Primary we teach French and German in Key Stage Two. Throughout our language teaching we aim to develop both pupils' language skills and their intercultural awareness. During lessons, pupils learn to understand, speak, read and write French or German, as well as learning about everyday life.
We have strong links with the language department at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School and for the last two years we have been visited by native Chinese teachers. The children have been taught how to speak and write Mandarin words and phrases; how to perform traditional dances and how art can be used as a vehicle to enlighten children about life in the Far East. We have also recently enjoyed visits from primary teachers from the Lebanon, Guadeloupe and France.
In 2009 and 2013, we achieved the International Schools Award. This reflects our commitment to building international awareness into the whole life of the school, and our language work plays a large part in this. We are proud of our international work at our school and how it benefits the children who learn here.
All children have a daily Maths lesson though the format of these varies over the week. Maths is also taught through other subjects as part of our cross curricular topics. In all year groups a wide range of mathematics resources are used to ensure that children learn in a variety of different ways. We provide children with suitably challenging tasks and activities both individually, in pairs and in groups; always making the learning relevant to real life.
Within Mathematics we aim to equip the children with a range of skills, strategies and knowledge which they can use to become independent problems solvers.
A core aim of ours is to continue to maintain and raise standards in core number work and in the children's mental calculation abilities.
Help at home
One of the best ways to support your children at home is to practise their number bonds and times tables for just a few minutes each day! Homework will support their current topic in class. See our calculations policy for more guidance.
Presentation to parents - Calculation Policy
Music is a very important part of life at Frances Olive Anderson CE Primary School. We have many activities and ways to encourage children to take part in Music and to develop their enthusiasm and talent.
As well as delivering the Programmes of Study for music in a fun way, the school has well established links with the Lincolnshire Music Service who provide tuition for groups of pupils. We provide free instrumental tuition for pupils in Years 5 and 6. They have been learning to play the trumpet or trombone. Some year groups have Samba drumming lessons resulting in a fantastic performance to the school. A range of peripatetic teachers regularly visit the school to provide individual lessons for percussion, string and brass instruments.
All children take part in a musical production annually to develop their musicality and confidence. We have a very active school choir which currently has pupils from Year 4 to Year 6. We regularly get involved in many community and church events.
In addition to the school choir we also participate in Young Voices in Sheffield each year. This is open to any child in Key Stage 2. Children learn a wide range of songs and then perform in a huge concert at the Sheffield Arena to help raise money for charities.
Our high quality PE curriculum inspires all children to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed our whole school values. When learning in PE we hope children will:
Our curriculum includes:
We also promote inter and intra school competition. We have teams to represent the school at football, cricket, swimming, cross country, athletics and many more. We also hold sports festivals within key stages.
We follow the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. This states that pupils should:
Wherever possible we try to include visits and external visitors to enhance the quality learning experiences that our pupils have. We incorporate creative ways of teaching and presenting RE lessons, including the use of drama and art.
RE in Key Stage 1
Throughout key stage 1, pupils explore Christianity and at least one other principal religion. They learn about different beliefs about God and the world around them. They encounter and respond to a range of stories, artefacts and other religious materials. They learn to recognise that beliefs are expressed in a variety of ways, and begin to use specialist vocabulary. They begin to understand the importance and value of religion and belief, especially for other children and their families. Pupils ask relevant questions and develop a sense of wonder about the world, using their imaginations. They talk about what is important to them and others, valuing themselves, reflecting on their own feelings and experiences and developing a sense of belonging
RE in Key Stage 2
Throughout key stage 2, pupils learn about Christianity and at least two of the other principal religions, recognising the impact of religion and belief locally, nationally and globally. They make connections between differing aspects of religion and consider the different forms of religious expression. They consider the beliefs, teachings, practices and ways of life central to religion. They learn about sacred texts and other sources and consider their meanings. They begin to recognise diversity in religion, learning about similarities and differences both within and between religions and beliefs and the importance of dialogue between them. They extend the range and use of specialist vocabulary. They recognise the challenges involved in distinguishing between ideas of right and wrong, and valuing what is good and true. They communicate their ideas, recognising other people’s viewpoints. They consider their own beliefs and values and those of others in the light of their learning in Religious Education.
Science is about finding out and discovering all about the world in which we live. Science falls into three main areas which are:
The main focus in science is about discovering and learning through investigation. This is why at Frances Olive Anderson CE Primary School, children are given a wide range of opportunities to enquire, investigate and experiment, following their own inquisitive natures.
Science uses skills such as Literacy, Maths and ICT, as well as developing the children’s thinking skills to enable them to reflect about science creatively in a worldwide context.
We offer a whole host of extra curricular activities to supplement the National Curriculum. We normally have clubs running each week.
