In the Early Years, our teaching is defined by the Early Learning Goals. The goals are split into 6 areas: Personal, social and emotional development; Communication, language and literacy; Mathematical development; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical development and Creative development.
These form a firm foundation to the National Curriculum and prepare children for school, not only educationally, but also physically, socially and emotionally.

In Key Stage One and Two the National Curriculum requires that we teach the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as well as the foundation subjects of Art, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Music, RE and PE.

In addition to this, we offer the children MFL lessons (Modern Foreign Languages- Currently French and German), in Class 3 and Class 4. We encourage our children to develop their individual abilities in as many ways as possible, by offering a broad and varied curriculum and a variety of teaching and learning styles.

In years 2 and 6 children take SAT tests. If you would like more information about these tests click here.

English
This is a daily lesson, which follows the programme outlined in the New Literacy Framework. As well as reading and writing, literacy involves the development speaking and listening skills. The framework encourages teachers to use a variety of approaches to teaching literacy. The framework encourages teachers to put an emphasis on using 'phonics' (teaching your child to recognise the sounds of parts of words) particularly lower down the school. It also stresses the part you play as a parent in helping your child to develop their literacy skills. This involves reading and discussing books with your children.

Mathematics
This is a daily lesson, which is based upon the New Numeracy Framework. As with literacy, schools are encouraged to use a variety of approaches. The latest version of the framework puts more emphasis on mental maths and recommends that children should start learning their times tables earlier than they had been doing. There is also a focus on real life problems, giving the chance to use and apply their skills.

Science
We follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study and this programme is supported by the use of the QCA Scheme of Work for Science. We cover a range of topics across the school and try to make them as practical as possible.
Information Communication Technology
Each class has 6 computers. These are used every day in all lessons, not just ICT. Each classroom has an interactive whiteboard. The children are using and seeing computers on a regular basis, because of this they have a high level of computer literacy.

Geography, History & RE
As we have mixed age classes our topics are on a four year cycle so that no child repeats a topic. These topics are supplemented where ever possible with a trip to support the learning. In RE we study a range of world religions across the school, including: Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.

PE

A range of sporting activities is provided for the children, taught by the teachers and Tameside Coaches.  Classes 4 and 5 go swimming every Monday. We have a different sport club each half term as well as a Netball club every week.

Art

Each year group follows a planned curriculum to ensure that children experience a range of media, learning to appreciate and gain pleasure from Art and learn about artists and their work.

Design Technology

Children are given a wide range of experiences in this area ranging from cookery to the designing and making of working models.  In all projects the children are investigate and evaluate products, practise the skills needed and then design and make the final product.

Key Stage 1 SATs

At the end of Key Stage 1 (year 2), all of the children are assessed in reading, writing, maths, science and speaking and listening. This is mainly based upon a teacher assessment of the work each child is producing in class, however each child also completes a task or test in reading, writing and maths. These tasks or tests occur between January and June. They are completed very informally and in a relaxed way as part of the normal curriculum as is appropriate with young children.

Key Stage 2 SATs

At the end of Key Stage 2 (year 6), all of the children are assessed in English, maths and science. This is based upon a series of tests completed in a week in May. They are completed under test conditions but we try to make the atmosphere as relaxed as we can to ensure as little stress as possible is given to the children. When the child goes to high school the results will be passed on along with a teacher assessment based on the child’s class work.