EACHING AND LEARNING
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Lesson organisation varies according to the subject or topic being taught. During the week children take part in whole class, group and individual work. Our staff are experts in deciding upon the most effective teaching strategies for the children in their class in order to achieve the objectives of the lesson. These include:
• teaching the whole class;
• working in groups determined by ability or friendship
• “rotating” groups, where children move between a range of activities requiring different levels of teacher support
• individual work, when a child needs additional teacher/adult support to complete a task or extension work to develop particular skills or knowledge
CHILDRENS’ LEARNING
Childrens’ understanding is continually assessed by the class teacher. This may be done through written work, drawing, speaking, observation, play and discussion.
These “formative” (informal) assessments help the teachers to plan follow-up, extension or consolidation activities for the children.
THE CURRICULUM
FOUNDATION STAGE
Children in the Reception class follow the curriculum for the Foundation Stage. This is split into the following areas:
• Personal, Social and Emotional Education,
• Language, Communication and Literacy
• Physical Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Mathematics
• Creative Development
Children are formally assessed at the beginning and end of the year using the Foundation Stage Profile. This monitors their progress towards the “goals” set out in the curriculum. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress through parent-teacher meetings, end of year reports and the home-school “Contact Book”.
KEY STAGE 1 AND KEY STAGE 2
Children from ages 5 to 7 (year 1 and 2) follow the Key Stage 1 curriculum. Children follow the Key Stage 2 curriculum when they move in to year 3 until they leave Primary school, i.e. ages 7 to 11. Both Key Stages follow programmes of study outlined in the National Curriculum. Pupil progress and attainment is measured in levels (1 to 5 in a Primary school); with level 5 being the highest attainment level usually achieved. Level 2 is the expected level for the average child to have reached by the end of year 2 and level 4 for an average child at the end of year 6. Most children take about two years to move between levels. Children are formally assessed at the end of years 2 and 6 with the national Standard Assessment Tests (SAT’s).
All teachers’ planning is available to look at and is displayed in the classrooms each week.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM SUBJECTS
The National Curriculum is split into the following subjects:
English
Mathematics
Science Core subjects
ICT (Information and Communication
Technology)
Religious Education
Art
Music
Physical Education
History Foundation subjects
Geography
Design Technology
THE ORGANISATION OF THE CURRICULUM
Children in Key Stage 1 and 2 have a daily Mathematics and Literacy lesson following the National strategies. At Disley Primary School we place great value on children participating in a broad and balanced curriculum. We aim to create a stimulating environment in which children are actively engaged in their own learning. We try to give children valuable first-hand and relevant experience by making links between subjects wherever possible. Teachers plan around topics when teaching Science, ICT and the Foundation subjects. Children are thus given plenty of opportunities to develop new skills through their learning. Our long-term planning is available for parents to see should they wish to.
INFORMATION EVENINGS FOR PARENTS
Throughout the year we hold a number of curriculum information evenings for parents. These sessions each focus on a particular aspect of the curriculum and give parents the opportunity to find out more about the work we do in school.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
ICT is essential in today’s rapidly changing technological world. It is part of everyone’s lives and becoming increasingly so. To support this, we aim to equip our children with the ability and confidence to access this aspect of modern day society. Our computer suite enables teachers to work with the whole class or large groups on a weekly basis. Alternatively, each classroom also has two PC’s for individuals to use throughout the day to support or extend their work. Children explore internet access in a planned and controlled way. Throughout their time with us children also become familiar with a wide range of other ICT equipment including tape recorders, digital cameras, programmable robots, TV, video and music centres. The school is currently installing Interactive Whiteboards in classrooms to support and enhance children's learning.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Assemblies and worship
Each week we have assemblies for the whole school, Foundation/Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The Headteacher, staff, children, ministers from local churches and other visitors to school lead these. Issues explored in these assemblies help the children to re-visit, interpret and reflect on the values of our school. They relate to specific incidents in or around school and to the wider world. While mainly Christian, assemblies include stories and festivals from other religions as well as a prayer or hymn in accordance with the law.
We work hard to ensure that no child is excluded from assembly because of their beliefs. Parents do have the right to withdraw their child from assemblies and Religious Education if they wish. Please see the Headteacher if you are concerned.
Religious Education
We follow the County scheme of work for RE which teaches children about many faiths and does not place any one religion above another. All parents have the right to look at the scheme should they wish.
TRANSFERRING TO SECONDARY SCHOOL
Most of our pupils transfer to Poynton High School but parents must be aware that to gain a place they must apply. Application forms are sent out in the Autumn Term before the transfer direct to the parents by the Area Office.
Year 6 have the opportunity to participate in a residential visit to Cheshire’s Conway Centre along with pupils and staff from other feeder Primary schools to Poynton High and work with High School staff on this visit.
SEX AND DRUGS EDUCATION
Sex and Drugs education forms part of our Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE) curriculum and is taught within a carefully structured and co-ordinated programme which is relevant to pupils’ stage of development.
Our Sex and Drugs Education policies are available to parents from School should they wish to see them.
SPORT
At Disley we strongly believe in the benefits of promoting sport to our pupils. Sport is a life-long activity through which the skills of independence, creativity and teamwork are fostered, as well as improved health, physical development, pride, achievement and the development of positive attitudes towards others.
We cover all of the National Curriculum programmes of Study in our curriculum. In addition, our extra-curricular activities including football, kwik-cricket, lacrosse, athletics and dance for Key Stage 2 pupils and “Fit Kids” for Key Stage 1 pupils. Working alongside our staff, we regularly have qualified coaches for lacrosse, football, cricket, dance and athletics coming to work with the children on a regular basis.
Our commitment has led to several outstanding achievements over the years for the pupils of Disley School.
SWIMMING
Swimming forms part of the curriculum for Physical Education at Key Stage 2 and our pupils attend swimming lessons at Poynton Leisure Centre on a rota basis.
OUT OF SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
We offer a range of school clubs and activities including:
Fit Kids, Choir, Dance, Environmental Club, Recorders, Football, Computer Club, Languages and Athletics.
These clubs normally run each week but it is a parent’s responsibility to check the dates and any cancellations.
INSTRUMENT TUITION
Children in Key Stage 1 are taught to play the recorder. A number of pupils in Key Stage 2 pay peripatetic teachers for lessons in brass, keyboard, woodwind and stringed instruments. Some of this tuition is supported by Poynton High School through Arts College Status funding. Children will have opportunities to continue their tuition at the High School. | 
