WELCOME!!!

Who we are, and the way we do things.

Thames View Junior School is a Local Education Authority maintained primary school. It is co-educational and children are taught mainly in mixed ability classes. The School forms part of a pleasant campus with Thames View Infant School and Rainham Mark Grammar School. We enjoy close links with both these schools and are thus able to enhance the children's learning opportunities.

Thames View Junior School consists of twelve classrooms grouped around the assembly hall that converts to a well-equipped gymnasium. One classroom has been converted into an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) suite. A paved courtyard has been made into a small garden for the children to look after. An outdoor classroom/ quiet area has been developed. The administrative offices have recently been extended and a large resource room and meeting room created. 'A Place To Be' works in the school to support the emotional development of children.

The National Curriculum

The National Curriculum in junior schools is focused on English, mathematics, science, design and technology, information & communication technology (ICT), history, geography, art and design, music and PE. In addition, children will have religious education, sex education, Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE).

The National Curriculum specifies attainment targets at eight levels between the ages of five and sixteen years. Attainment is tested at three Key Stages at age 7, 11 and 14 years. Whilst children are at junior school they work on Key Stage 2. The level at which they work will vary according to their aptitude for a particular subject area. Pupils typically achieve level 4 at Key Stage 2.

Informal and formal assessments take place with all children every year to enable teachers to monitor each child's progress. Children in their final primary year are assessed in terms of their level of attainment achieved in English, mathematics and science. Children in years 3,4 and 5 take optional standard assessment tests in English and mathematics.

Core Subjects

English
Language work includes the improvement of oral skills, the development of reading, writing and listening skills, continuous extension of vocabulary, and the development of pupils' imaginative and creative ideas. Attention is given to both quality and quantity of written work. Children are taught to appraise and redraft their work. All children have a daily literacy hour.

We hope that parents will help to foster a positive approach towards reading by listening to their children read and asking questions about the books. The ability of a child to read is of paramount importance to their future educational progress. Parental involvement and support usually has a positive effect on their child's progress. Children who experience difficulties with reading are given individually structured programmes so that their progress can be monitored in more detail. Reading is given considerable priority in the lower junior years.

Mathematics
The National Numeracy Strategy was introduced in September 1999. Teachers teach the whole class together for a large proportion of the time, focusing on basic number work, problem solving, and the application of skills to real situations. Oral and mental work feature strongly in each lesson. Parents can also play an invaluable role within the home or beyond by encouraging children to apply mathematics to such areas as cooking, model making, shopping, board games and card games.

Science
In science children are taught about life processes and living things, materials and their properties, and physical processes. Opportunities are given to develop scientific skills through investigative and experimental activities.

Information & Communication Technology
Each class has access to computers to ensure hands-on experience of up-to-date technology for communication and information handling. Focussed tuition in ICT, including the Internet, takes place in our well-equipped ICT suite.

Religious Education
Thames View Junior School follows the Medway Religious Education Syllabus that is available to parents on request. We aim to help children in their spiritual and moral development and to help them to respect the beliefs and religious traditions of others. Parents who so wish, have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and from the daily Act of Worship on religious grounds.

We encourage outside speakers and parents to come into the school to share their skills and knowledge with our children. Children arrange events for our annual Charity Day, organise a Harvest Tea and several non-uniform days. We stage concerts for parents and encourage our year 6 pupils to attend courses at Medway Children's University which are run at weekends throughout the year. Year 6 pupils are given the opportunity to take part in a Cycle Proficiency Course during school time.

Year groups organise at least one visit to a place of interest each year. Pupils in Year 6 are able to attend a residential visit. Visits to the local area and participation in local events is encouraged.

We are pleased to offer a variety of clubs to children at lunchtimes and after school. These include a music club run by Music for School Foundation. There is a charge for this club.

In addition, staff give up their time to run drama, computer, recorder, games, netball, gymnastics, gardening, football, sewing and table tennis clubs. There is also a choir. The clubs on offer vary according to the time of year and the availability of staff.