English The National Literacy Strategy was implemented in September 1998. All classes participate in a daily literacy hour. The acquisition of language is a vital factor in your child’s progress.  Children who come to school able to express themselves clearly and confidently have a distinct advantage in the school situation. We seek to extend the children’s ability to express themselves verbally through drama, taking part in assemblies and by providing classroom situations that encourage discussion and debate. Parents are encouraged to support their child at home by reading regularly and helping them to learn spellings. Children are encouraged, from an early age, to use adjoined handwriting style as this helps them with spelling and fluency. Mathematics Through a daily mathematics lesson (often called the ‘numeracy hour’), we aim to help children to: understand the basic concepts and relationships of numbers, measurement and space; understand the language by which these ideas and relationships are expressed. The programme includes: understanding and memorising the basic number facts addition                        subtraction                    multiplication                 division             measurement                facts relating to money length weight capacity; and time and space Once children have learned a key mathematical skill, we give them several opportunities to use this skill to solve real life problems. Many of the methods that we teach children today will be new for the majority of our parents. We always encourage parents to ask for information about this from their child’s class teacher so that school and home can work together to support the children’s learning in maths. Science We encourage children to adopt an investigative approach to science by teaching them the skills of observation, and experimentation, constructing fair tests and drawing conclusions. At Micklands science is taught through topics which enable children to develop a significant bank of scientific knowledge and vocabulary by the end of the primary phase. Information Technology (ICT) ICT is now an integral part of learning and teaching at Micklands.  Children are expected to use computers and other forms of technology for a range of purposes such as: word processing, data handling, data interpretation, control, modelling and monitoring, and the reinforcement of understanding and skills through investigative games. The school has a Computer Suite, which is available for whole classes throughout the school to use and every class room has an interactive whiteboard. Parents are provided with suggestions for good websites to use at home to support their children’s learning. Geography Geographical skills are gradually introduced and practised throughout the primary years.  Our school grounds provide the opportunity for mapping and orienteering work to be introduced and reinforced.  First hand experience is essential for the children to fully appreciate the fundamentals of geographical skill-based work. We make full use of our school grounds in order to promote this aspect of the curriculum. Children in Year 6 are given the opportunity to go on a week-long residential trip to Wales; the activities experienced on this trip really enhance the geographical work done in the classroom. History History at Micklands is planned in topics, which enable children to develop their concept of time as well as cause and effect.  Topics include ‘The Vikings’, ‘The Tudors’ and ‘Ancient Egypt’.  Children have the opportunity to make history come to life through visits to museums both locally and further afield, and through performance and drama activities led by visiting theatre groups. Art Emphasis is placed on direct observation and study.  Children have the opportunity to develop skills in sketching, painting, including water colour techniques, modelling, tie-dyeing, batik, printing, etc.  Design Technology Designing and production form the major part of the programme of study.  Children are taught to be systematic in their approach, with the evaluation process being an integral part of the children's work and always evaluate their work to identify where improvements could be made. Music Class music is an integral part of the curriculum for all. Children will be given the opportunity to learn how to compose music and develop musical listening skills whilst broadening their general awareness of musical appreciation. We have a visiting guitar and keyboard teacher who take small groups of junior children.  Details may be obtained from the School Secretary. In addition to classroom work we provide many extra-curricular music club opportunities. Physical Education We make full use of our large playing field both in summer and winter. Micklands’ programme of study covers games, dance, gymnastics, athletics and swimming and outdoor adventurous activities.  For P.E. kit, please refer to the school uniform section. Sporting aims: An important part of life within the school is the athletic development of the children. By promoting P.E. in a positive way we aim to develop children’s enthusiasm and enjoyment for sport. Children are encouraged to observe the conventions of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour as individual participants, team members and spectators.  These aims are achieved in several ways: teachers promote these aims in their lessons; as a member of the school sports’ partnership we encourage outside organisations to help us, such as Supersports. we have the benefit of several sporting After and Before School Clubs.  These include Basketball, Football, Table Tennis, Judo, Street Dance. we take part in a range of inter-school competions. Swimming The requirements for this aspect of the P.E. curriculum are met through the use of a local indoor pool. The aim is to facilitate all pupils to be able to swim 25m unaided by the time they reach Year 6.  Swimming lessons are provided for children in years 4-6. Advice on swimwear and jewellery can be found under the section on  ‘uniform’. Religious Education Religious Education includes the study of Christianity and other world religions such as Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism and Islam.  The school follows the LA (Local Authority) syllabus and aims to give children a breadth of knowledge through exploring these other major religions. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from these lessons. Provision for supervision during such withdrawals will be made in consultation with the Headteacher. Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education PSHE covers areas such as relationships, safety in the home and body changes.  Circle Time is another aspect to our Personal and Social education.  This time provides the children with opportunities to play team-building games and share concerns about issues.  As the lesson is very structured and under the direction of the teacher, children readily participate and enjoy one another’s contributions.  All children from Reception to Year 6 participate in Circle Time activites. Sex Education In accordance with school policy as agreed by the governors, children in Years 5 and 6 follow a sex education programme of study.  This provides an informative and sensitive set of lessons, tastefully presented and which allows for discussion time with members of staff. Should parents be concerned as to the content of the lessons they are welcome to see the video programmes. Parental consent is sought before the lessons begin.  Parents have the right to withdraw their children from the lessons if they so wish. Children with Special Educational Needs A child could be said to have learning difficulties if he or she finds it much harder to learn than most children of the same age, or if he or she has a disability which makes it difficult to use normal educational facilities in the schools in that area. The Education Act 1996 has laid down the procedures with regards to assessing your child's needs and it recommends that schools should have regard to The Code of Practice. The Code gives guidance to schools as to how best the professionals involved with your child and yourself can help judge whether or not they will need to have a statutory assessment and whether a Statement of Special Educational Needs will be issued. The Code of Practice has a two-stage assessment process, school action being a school-based assessment of educational needs. At a review of school action a decision may be taken as to whether or not to proceed to school action plus. This is if your child requires significant support and will only take place in discussion with you as a parent. If significant support is considered appropriate this application, the Local Authority has to inform you as to whether or not they will make a statutory assessment of your child. A senior member of staff has responsibility for children with special needs.  She, together with the class teacher, monitors the progress of children who give cause for concern, and together they construct appropriate programmes of study. The school intends to fully implement the Code of Practice as set out in the DFEE Circular 6/94. We have regular support from the Educational Psychologist and other professional bodies as and when necessary. Parents are fully involved at all times if their child is considered to have special educational needs.

School Journeys The Year 6 pupils embark on a 6-day school journey during Term One. This, at the present time, is undertaken at a centre for outdoor and adventurous activities in North Wales. This trip gives a major boost to our children's self-confidence and helps their personal development at this important stage in their lives. For further information: http://www.rygoutdoor.co.uk   Day Visits Arrangements are made regularly for day trips to museums and other places of interest, in connection with schoolwork. Parents are usually invited to help in supervising groups of children.  Occasionally we ask parents to make a voluntary contribution in order to help us to finance a school visit or visiting theatre groups.  No child will be excluded from such an activity because of parents’ inability or unwillingness to make a contribution.  However, if insufficient parents are willing to make such a contribution, the visit or activity is unlikely to take place.