Polesden Lacey Infant School offers a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that caters for the individual needs of children and complies with all the requirements of the National Curriculum. As an infant school, we cover the Foundation Stage (Reception) and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2).
Our curriculum is tuned to the learner's needs and interests, using child friendly topics such as space, seaside and dinosaurs to engage young minds. We operate a three year rolling programme of themed weeks and days during which the whole school participates in a rich diet of exciting activities. These are led by expert visitors to school, parents, governors and staff. Pupils become immersed in the topics, and develop new skills and knowledge.
Work is carefully structured by the teaching staff to enable all children to build on previous knowledge and extend their learning. Pupils with special needs are identified and work is differentiated to support those needs.When a child is performing below the expected level, the Code of Practice for Special Needs is implemented. Parents are invited into school to discuss their child's progress and appropriate targets are set for the child. Staff are deployed to support identified needs; this can include enrichment for more able children or one to one help with literacy and numeracy. The caring ethos at Polesden Lacey Infant school makes learners feel safe and valued. We work with outside agencies to support and nurture pupils; these include health professionals, speech and language therapists and child psychologists.
Parental assistance is sought on a regular basis to accompany school trips and to help run such activities as cooking, reading, gardening and developing computer skills. This support is much appreciated and is invaluable.There are also a number of opportunities for children to take part in extra curricula clubs .
Pupils leave Polesden Lacey Infant School as independent learners having experienced a broad curriculum with a well judged focus on literacy and numeracy.
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English We aim to provide an environment that encourages children to develop fully their ability to use language, both spoken and written. The skills developed in English are necessary for all areas of the curriculum and are used throughout the school week. However, specific English teaching takes place during the daily Literacy lesson based on the National Literacy Strategy Framework.
Speaking and listening: Our children are given opportunities to communicate their ideas in a variety of situations. These may take the form of a discussion with a partner, a group, or class. Regular "open assemblies", to which parents are invited, provide children with an opportunity to speak to larger audiences.
Spelling The carefully structured letters and sounds phonics programme supports oustanding progress in reading and spelling. |
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Mathematics
Much of our work is linked to topics and real-life situations, eg shopping, so that children are able to see the relevance of mathematics in their daily lives. Mathematics involves the use of abstract signs and symbols that can only be fully understood after extensive practical work.
We aim to develop a positive attitude to the subject, because learning is enhanced when children experience enjoyment and success. Emphasis is given to the development of mathematical language, mental maths, problem solving and investigation. We use a range of resources and teacher materials with a lot of practical and oral activities to reinforce concepts.
Science
The National Curriculum for Science places emphasis not only on knowledge, but also on the development of scientific skills. All our science activity offers opportunities to develop these skills. As one of the partner schools within the Howard of Effingham Science College, we benefit from sharing specialist facilities and resources, including specialist teachers and training. Science co-ordinators from each of the partner schools work together closely, to evaluate and improve the science curriculum and to facilitate a more seamless transition through the Key Stages.
Our science curriculum is not seen in isolation. Opportunities are provided within a cross-curricular framework in order to maximise learning and to transfer knowledge and skills from one area of the curriculum to another. We aim to foster positive attitudes to science by ensuring that work is both enjoyable and relevant. Some topic work will be purely science based in order to focus on specific scientific knowledge.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Children need to embrace technology from an early age if they are to make their way successfully in our ever changing and demanding world. By locating state-of-the-art resources in our classrooms, all children have regular, first hand experience of the wide range of technology that captures, stores and communicates information.
Daily opportunities to use laptops support these aims. Other regularly used digital equipment includes cameras, videos, sound recorders, microscopes and programable toys.
Personal, social and health education (PSHE) and Citizenship
Through assemblies and class dicussions (circle time) children develop a strong sense of community and their place in the community. Children are encouraged to understand their rights and responsibilities. They have many oppotunities to contribute to school life through initiatives such as Eco schools. The children are consulted about school rules and they expect them to be followed by their class mates.
Our Values
These are clearly displayed around the school and we focus on one value each half term over a 2 year rolling programme.
Our values (chosen by the Staff and Parents)
Honesty
Politeness
Cooperation
Kindness
Perseverance
Friendship
Helpfulness
Responsibility
Respect
Courage
Fairness
Caring
French
All children benefit from a weekly French lesson and opportunities to demonstrate speaking and singing are provided in open assemblies.
Design and Technology
Through our Design and Technology curriculum children produce designs then make simple models, structures or two-dimensional representations of their ideas. Evaluation is seen as an important part of the learning process.Work is usually linked to topics.
History and Geography
Through topic work children develop a sense of history and of the world beyond their own locality. Teaching is closely linked to children's experiences and a sense of wonder is developed through the use of artifacts, field trips, visitors and multimedia.
PE / Movement / Drama
Our PE activities incorporate the development of early games and gymnastics skills. Co-operation and team spirit are encouraged through a variety of activities. Polesden Lacey Infant School does not play sport in competition with other schools but collaborates with local schools to provide extra off-site opportunities.
In addition to weekly dance lessons children are encouraged to join in morning keep fit before school and public performances (for example the local village day).
Drama provides many oppotunities for public performence through open assemblies and end of term productions. It is also a useful vehicle for teaching across the curriculum.
Music
All children have an opportunity to take part in singing and percussion lessons and are introduced to the work of composers in music lessons and assemblies. Much of the work is again linked to cross-curricular topics, but musical skills are clearly emphasized in lessons which are provided by a specialist music teacher.
Religious Education
We aim to develop an ethos where all cultures and beliefs are valued.
Individual classes undertake topic work about different religions and the philosophies of other cultures, relating these to other areas of the curriculum. For example, while studying Islam, Year 2 have the opportunity to visit a mosque, speak to Moslims worshipping there, use the patterns and colours of mosaics in art sessions and develop an understanding of a different faith and culture in relation to their own and today's society. Through daily assemblies children are encouraged to develop a sense of awe and wonder about the world.