EnglishOne of our major objectives at Ysgol Heulfan is to extend and develop each child’s use of language. The development of language skills follows a programme of study outlined by the National Curriculum. The three profile components being Oracy, Reading and Writing.
We aim to:
The development of these skills depend largely upon the experiences that teachers provide for their pupils and ways they can help them to use language to handle experience. We aim to provide a range of resources for speaking and listening, e.g. listening centres, tape recorders, CD players. We encourage a variety of stimuli, e.g. videos, story, practical work and encourage constructive and purposeful talking in pairs, groups, class and between classes.
We aim to:
We aim to:
From September 2008, learners in the Junior Department will focus on the following Programmes of Study:
This covers all aspects of the mathematical curriculum and encourages the pupils to apply the mathematical skills they have acquired. It is one of the most important components of the maths curriculum. Much of the work here involves problem solving and the children selecting the correct ‘mathematical tool’ to solve problems. Pupils are encouraged to explain their thinking and the methods they use in order to support the development of their reasoning.
This covers all the computational skills and number work. We have purchased material to enable us to teach Mental Maths. Pupils participate in one lesson every week. We encourage pupils to learn their Times Tables and to practice them at home. At Key Stage 2, pupils encounter early ideas of algebra and mathematical structure through exploration of pattern and number relations. At both Key Stages, calculators, computers and a range of other resources are used as tools for exploring number structure and to enable work with realistic data.
Here, learners will be involved in measuring, telling the time, reading scales, drawing and measuring angles, and understanding and using money. They will be aware of other currencies. There will be lots of practical experience throughout the study of measures and money.
The emphasis in this area is firmly on practical experience. Two and three-dimensional shapes are studied. Computer software is used to link in with these areas of study.
Pupils collect, represent and interpret data for a variety of identified purposes, including those that arise from their own questions. The computer is used as a source of interesting data, and as a tool for representing and exploring data. Pupils consider early ideas of probability through practical activity and personal experience.
Pupils are encouraged to develop their investigative skills and understanding of Science. The Programme of Study (at Key Stage 2) consists of the following:
As part of our Science course, we endeavour to extend and develop the pupil’s understanding of the world around them and to involve them actively in a scientific approach to learning, which develops the processes of observation, data collecting, classification, experimentation and recording. Good use is made of the school grounds, local environment and organised educational visits.
Personal and social education comprises everything that we undertake to promote the personal and social development of our pupils. This includes all the planned learning experiences that take place not only in the classroom but also in other areas of school experience which are features of the ethos and community life of our school.
It is our policy to answer all questions with honesty and accuracy (appropriate to the age of the pupil). As with all other curriculum areas, P.S.E is delivered at an appropriate level to the developmental stage of each individual child. It is cross curricular and permeates the whole curriculum.
We also have regular circle time sessions with all of our children when they have the opportunity to think about issues and to discuss concerns and feelings.
Welsh is taught as a Second Language, with the following objectives serving as a framework for the work:
We hope to foster in our children an understanding of the meaning of religion. In particular, we feel that they should have an opportunity to learn about Christian traditions and culture, and to appreciate those of other world religions. We believe that they should develop an understanding of moral virtues such as love, trust, friendship, caring and honesty.
There is a daily act of religious worship and a period of time each week devoted to religious education. Parents, who on conscientious grounds, wish to withdraw their child/ren from R.E and/or Assembly may do so by prior arrangement with the Headteacher.
Children from each class regularly take a service and parents and friends are invited to attend.
As part of their project work, children learn to work through a variety of two and three-dimensional media, e.g. drawing, painting, printing, modelling – using a variety of materials, e.g. plasticine, clay, scrap materials, crayons, chalks, pencils, charcoals, paints, brushes, glue, card, wood etc.
All children must take part in physical activities, as it is an important subject within the National Curriculum.
Physical Education is taught throughout the school. Gymnastics, apparatus work, movement and dance are taught indoors. Outdoor games include football, netball, rounders, cricket, rugby, athletics and some hockey. The pupils from Years 5 and 6 also attend swimming lessons at the Gwyn Evans Pool. Year 4 pupils also attend in the Summer Term.
We do not specify colours for P.E clothing. Girls will need a leotard or T-shirt and shorts for indoor P.E. and boys will need shorts and a T-shirt. Footwear is not required for indoor P.E. For outdoor games, shorts, T-shirts, trainers or pumps are required during the summer months. In autumn and winter, it is often advisable to wear a tracksuit.
All pupils will be expected to participate on a regular basis and we will only excuse a pupil from a lesson if they have a letter from their parent/guardian.
If a pupil regularly forgets his/her P.E kit it is the school’s policy to send a letter to parents to inform them of the situation.
In the Junior department, our pupils have the opportunity to attend one/more of the following residential trips:
History and Geography lessons are taught via topic work. At Key Stage 2 pupils are taught either History or Geography in half term blocks – these may or may not be linked to the main topic for the term.
In History, topics covered include The Romans, The Tudors, The Victorians and Local History. In Geography, areas covered at Key Stage 2 include map work, the local area, contrasting localities and environmental change. In both History and Geography extensive use is made of the local environment and numerous trips are organised to link with the topics being studied.
The general aim of Music education within the school is to give the children an opportunity to gain delight, enjoyment and satisfaction from music by becoming involved in its language and literature, through active participation and listening and by developing sensitivity and critical faculties.
We endeavour to introduce the children to music as a live experience and according to their abilities assist them to learn such skills, which will enable them to take an increasingly active part in music making and to become a more understanding listener. We consider that enjoyment, both immediate and long term is important, but real enjoyment comes from the satisfaction of achievement at the level appropriate to each child.
It is our intention to promote an active music programme that uses melody, rhythm, movement and speech to involve the whole child. We believe that this total involvement and the integration of these four elements should be central to childhood experience.
We have a school choir, with the children attending an after school club to practice. The club is well attended and enjoyed by all!