OUR CURRICULUM

All pupils in Gifford Primary School are offered equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum.  Each individual is given the opportunity to develop a lively, enquiring mind, the ability to question and argue rationally, to work independently, to solve problems and to apply themselves to tasks.  The school is concerned for the development of their whole personality - social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual in order to develop the full potential of every child.

All pupils have the opportunity to study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Music, Art, PE, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Design & Technology (DT) and Religious Education (RE).  We also place great emphasis on Drama and Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) to enrich the pupils’ development.  We positively promote behaviour which is inclusive and value the cultural diversity of our school.   Great care is taken to ensure continuity and progression throughout the school.

Our curriculum prepares all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life and develops in every individual an enjoyment of learning and a commitment to life long learning in order to become responsible participants within our society.

We understand that we all learn in different ways.  Staff are trained to recognise their preferred learning styles and to deliver lessons in ways which meet the needs of all pupils.  Plans offer opportunities for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners and pupils are taught to be aware of the ways they learn best.  Brain Gym activities are taught throughout the school and are used in lessons to enhance concentration and to enable pupils to work more effectively.   Gifford staff and pupils are encouraged to have water bottles in class so they can sip water throughout the day.  Sipping water while working also helps us concentrate and can prevent headaches.

Classes are organised by year group and may be taught as full class or smaller groups taking into account pupils’ abilities.  Approximately 50% of teaching time is spent on Literacy and Numeracy.  Cross curricular links are developed where appropriate.

Planning in each subject makes use of QCA schemes of work and the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies in order to deliver the National Curriculum programmes of study.  Subject co-ordinators oversee the organisation of their subject.  Teachers are responsible for planning and the delivery of differentiated work to allow all pupils equal access to the curriculum.  Plans are devised by class teachers and delivered by teachers and learning support staff.  Children are assessed at various stages during their school career, in accordance with national and school guidelines.  Parents are informed about the curriculum at termly meetings.  Parents are provided with written reports on their child’s progress at least once a year.  Parents evenings are held once a term but more informal contact is encouraged at all times.  The school has a homework policy and all pupils receive regular tasks to complete at home.

The curriculum is underpinned by a series of policies relating to Teaching and Learning, Inclusion, Assessment, Record Keeping and Reporting and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development.

All subjects and the quality of teaching and learning are monitored regularly by senior staff and co-ordinators to ensure quality and consistency.  The outcomes are shared with staff and inform future practice and training.  The governors Teaching and Learning Committee monitors the curriculum through reports, visits and interviews with staff and pupils, reporting progress and issues to the full governing body.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The children explore some of the beliefs and practices of Christianity and the other major faiths in order to encourage understanding of and respect for the variety of beliefs and values in Britain today.  The children are encouraged to think about and to develop their own values and beliefs.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

A daily act of Collective Worship is held which is based on themes such as caring for ourselves, other people and the natural world as well as celebrating important festivals from the major faiths.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and Collective Worship.

SPORTING AIMS & PROVISION FOR SPORT

The on-site sports facilities are very good, comprising large hard-surfaced playgrounds and a very large playing field, used for a variety of sports and athletics and a multi purpose hall which is equipped as a gymnasium.

Children’s sporting skills are developed throughout the primary school, and the PE and games programme prepares all children to take part in a variety of sporting activities in line with the National Curriculum.  These include:
rounders, football, track & field, athletics, unihoc, netball, hockey, handball, gymnastics, dance, skipping, outdoor activities and swimming (Year 5)
All pupils have a minimum of 2 hours PE and Games time every week.  The time is divided between games, gymnastics, dance, outdoor education and swimming in Year 5.

All our teachers are qualified to teach PE and games throughout the primary age range.  In addition to this some teachers hold additional qualifications, and many attend courses run by the Education Authority.  Sports clubs out of school hours depend on the interests of the teachers, but we have recently held clubs for netball, football and cross country.

To further extend our expertise we regularly work alongside sports specialists in some of the areas listed above.  We employ coaches to develop pupil skills. We are part of the School Sports Co-ordinator programme in the partnership led by West London Academy. Other partnerships involve Ealing Sports Development Teams and occasionally Brentford Football Club.

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