The school at present consists of seven year groups divided into four classes.

• Class 1 – Years Reception & 1 – Mrs Bursnell/Mrs Brown/Ms Collins/Mrs Sexton
• Class 2 – Year 2 – Dr Eaton/Mrs Taylor
• Class 3 – Year 3 & 4 – Mrs Fredenburgh/Miss Hubbard
• Class 4 – Year 5 & 6 – Mr Brett/Mrs Taylor

The school follows the Programmes of Study set out in the National Curriculum. This is divided into three ‘Key Stages’.

• Foundation Stage – Reception
• Key Stage 1 – Year 1 and 2.
• Key Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.

The Governing Body endorses the Norfolk Learning Statement, the Race Relations Act and the recommendations of the MacPherson Report.

We work hard to equip our children to take part in the world of the future by planning a rich, broad and balanced curriculum suited to the age and aptitude of each child. Our aim is to combine excellence in teaching with enjoyment of learning.

Resources and sources of information are carefully chosen to reflect cultural diversity and prevent racism.

We are committed to helping all children succeed.  Planning, teaching and classroom organisation take into account that children learn in many different ways; through play, in small groups, through drama, art, music and sport, from each other, from their parents and grandparents, by listening, by watching and by doing.

For the core subjects of Literacy and Numeracy children across KS2 are divided into three smaller groups. This enables Mr Brett, Mrs Fredenburgh and Mrs Taylor to plan and teach more effectively.  Learning objectives and activities can be ‘fine-tuned’  to meet the needs of the children in each group.

Standardised Testing for reading and spelling takes place across the school together with QCA tests in English and Maths for Year 3 through to Year 6.

National Curriculum documents are available in school for parents to read.

Curriculum planning is approached in a thematic way. The topics are built into a two year rolling programme for each class to ensure balance, continuity and progression. Each half term the chosen topic incorporates all relevant curriculum areas and planning is linked to the QCA Schemes of Work.

Those aspects of the National Curriculum not covered in this way are taught on a subject specific basis.

Language and Literacy

English is a key part of the curriculum. Our aim is to help each child to communicate confidently in speech and writing and to this end we use learning objectives from the National Literacy Strategy. These cover writing, spelling, punctuation, grammar, reading, speaking and listening and drama.

We want children to enjoy books from a very early age and our aim is for them to read for pleasure and with understanding. A variety of reading “schemes” are  available in school and children are encouraged to take their books home to share from the earliest age, including a beautifully made collection of Storysacks. These are stimulating resources  which aim to capture a child’s interest in reading by bringing books to life. They also provide materials and ideas that help parents to make reading together at home an enjoyable experience.

Maths

We aim to foster the development of a positive, confident attitude to mathematics and where possible maths is taught with relevance to its daily use. We use learning objectives from the Numeracy Strategy and great emphasis is placed  on the development of mental skills and their application. The Numeracy Strategy is used as a planning framework and includes the study of number, algebra, measure, shape and space and data handling.  Practical equipment, including games, dice, loop cards and computer programmes are available to assist the children in their learning.

Science

Science is taught as a subject on its own or is integrated into a topic. We aim to provide opportunities for investigating and experimenting with scientific ideas. Skills, knowledge and understanding develop from these investigations. Planning and organisational skills are taught through experimental work.

Information Technology

Children learn how to use computers to support their learning across the curriculum.  As they progress through the school they have access to a variety of software programmes including data handling, word processing, graphics, art, maths and literacy. They develop research skills and select information to include in their own work. We now have 17 PC’s and two laptops all networked with access to the Internet. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard.

Design and Technology

Children work with a variety of materials including plastic, textiles, wood and food. They are taught the skills required to use tools correctly and safely. We aim to develop their ability to think and plan creatively in order to find a solution to a given problem.

Religious Education

Religious Education is planned in accordance with the new Norfolk Agreed Syllabus. The structure of the Syllabus consists of seven ‘areas of study’ in Key Stage 1 and nine ‘areas’ in Key Stage 2.
The ‘areas of study’ look at the ways in which world religions are practiced and how they influence people’s lives. Children are helped to develop a positive attitude to others, respecting beliefs different from their own. They are given opportunities to reflect and explore concepts like belonging, commitment, human rights and social justice.

Collective worship of a broadly Christian nature is held daily during whole school or class assemblies. Parents wishing to withdraw their child from Religious Education or daily worship are invited to discuss the matter with the Headteacher.

Music

The school offers class, group and individual music activities which encourage creativity and develop listening and performing skills. We are very lucky to have a music and drama specialist who teaches across the school and runs an after-school club, a pre-school music group and a community choir. A wide variety of musical instruments are available for all children to use in class music lessons and recorders are taught as a lunch time activity. Children also have the opportunity to learn to play the trumpet, violin and guitar. There is a charge for this tuition.

Art

Children are taught the creative, imaginative and practical skills needed to express ideas and feelings taking into account their previous experience and linking with other areas of the curriculum. They are encouraged to evaluate their own work, that of others and to appreciate art in the styles of their own and other cultures.

History and Geography

History and geography are taught through cross-curricular topic work. Skills are taught with an emphasis on independent study and research. History is taught whenever possible by visiting places of historical interest and making comparisons with life today. Artefacts, videos and computers are also used.

Physical Education [P.E.]

We offer a variety of opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. Structured programmes have been established for football, netball, cricket, swimming and creative movement. The emphasis is on developing confidence, enjoyment and achievement. Help is given in acquiring basic skills and we offer  positive encouragement and acknowledgement of effort and good sporting behaviour. The school has football, netball, cricket, rounders and cross country teams and regularly takes part in inter-school matches. Years 5 and 6 also have an opportunity to go orienteering.

Educational Visits

Throughout the year children are taken on outings to extend classroom work and we consider they play an important part in the children’s learning. Transport is by coach or by parent cars. Older children are given the opportunity of taking part in a residential course.

Contributions and donations are requested towards certain visits. The Friends of Corpusty Primary School also contribute to costs.

The governors have decided that no child shall be exempted from a visit owing to family financial constraints.

The governing body endorses the Charging and Remission Policy of the L.E.A.

Extra Curricular Activities

Throughout the year the school runs a variety of lunchtime and after school clubs. At present these include recorders, nature, football, netball, cricket, gymnastics, multisports, drumming, art and visits to the Corpusty and Saxthorpe Luncheon Club.

Special Needs

There are occasions when children may need help with specific learning and behavioural problems. Our Special Needs Policy encourages early recognition of these needs and in line with the Code of Practice, parents will be consulted and kept informed. The individual needs of the child are paramount and Individual Education Plans are reviewed termly by staff, parents and children. The majority of children on our SEN Register are at ‘School Action Level’, which means their needs can be met in the classroom through carefully planned, differentiated tasks. Additional help, advice and teaching input is provided by the School Support Team and the School Psychologist. When it is necessary to safeguard the educational provision for an individual child a ‘statement of educational need’ may be requested.

Mrs Fredenburgh is our SENCO (Special Needs Co-Ordinator). Mrs Brown is our Special Needs Assistant and works with individual or small groups of children in our well-resourced Group Teaching Room. Ms Collins and Miss Hubbard provide individual/group support.  Governors ensure that money is allocated from the school budget to provide the additional support and resources needed to help those children on the Special Needs Register make sufficient progress to reach their individual targets.

Talented and Gifted Children are also identified and curriculum planning provides extension and enrichment activities.

Disabled Pupils

The Governing Body will ensure that disabled children have access to the curriculum and are able to join in the day-to-day activities of the school as far as possible. The school already has wheelchair access and disabled toilet facilities in the main building and the governors have a plan in place to increase accessibility for disabled pupils over the next few years.

Sex and Relationship Education

Sex Education and Drug Awareness is taught under the umbrella of personal, social, emotional and health education. (PSHE) It begins in Key Stage 1 and progresses through the school with children learning about health, hygiene, body parts and functions. Year 5/6 take part in an organised programme of talks and discussions led by two class teachers and parents are informed beforehand. These cover hygiene, personal development, reproduction and menstruation. Children only have confirmation and clarification at the level of their understanding and where information is passed on it is done in a caring, sensitive way.

• Year 5/6 boys have a pastoral link teacher – Mr Brett
• Year 5/6 girls have a pastoral link teacher – Mrs Fredenburgh

Citizenship

As members of a class and school community we encourage the children to take an active part in the life of the school and take more responsibility for themselves, their learning and their environment. We help them develop skills such as how to share, help others and resist bullying in order that they can lead confident, independent lives and ultimately become active, informed, responsible citizens of the future.