The Government has set down strict guidelines as to the Curriculum content taught in all state schools. This
is called the National Curriculum and is split into three core subjects English, Maths and Science and six
foundation subjects, Design and Technology, Geography, History, P.E., Music and Art. Religious Education
is also a mandatory subject that must be taught at Primary schools whilst responsibility for themselves and
others is learned through PSHE.
There is a legal requirement for children to be assessed at the ages of 7 years and 11 years - this progress
is measured partly on a basis of teachers' assessment and partly by national tests. Other assessments are
undertaken by teachers during the course of the school year. These may be in the form of short tasks or
based on analysis of normal classroom work. We prepare children for the SATs tests so that they are
familiar with what is expected of them but emphasise to the children that the expectation is that each child
will just try their best. Our youngest pupils are assessed through teacher observations which make up a
‘Foundation Profile’. This is shared with parents at the end of their child’s first year at school. It covers all
areas of the child’s educational and social development, gaining its information from lessons and
observations by teachers and no testing is involved. |