Curriculum

We aim to provide an environment at the Junior Department that is not only purposeful and productive, but also happy and caring.

This will enable each individual:


The Learning Experience

Oxford High School Junior Department caters for children from Nursery to Year 6. The Nursery, Reception and Year 1 are located at the Squirrel site on the Woodstock Road. Years 2 to 6 are situated nearby in Bardwell Road at the Greycotes site.

Nursery

The Nursery is the first introduction to formal education for most children. Our aim in the Junior Department is to make the experience as happy and relaxed as possible in an informal learning environment. During the year the children will learn to interact with their peers thus extending their personal and social skills. Creative development is encouraged through role-play, art and music. Children will also have opportunities to integrate with older pupils during assemblies, sharing specialist speakers for topic work or joining in May Day dancing and Sports Day celebrations.
There are usually two productions when the pupils can perform to an audience and show off their dramatic skills! A day trip to a farm is enjoyed in the summer term. This is a follow up to class topic work which further develops the children’s knowledge and understanding of the world.

    


Reception

Children enter into one of three parallel Reception classes at four years old from our own Nursery and others.

We aim to provide a wide variety of hands-on, multi-sensory learning experiences through carefully planned play and creative activities and following a series of stimulating topics. There is a structured programme for numeracy and literacy. Children are introduced to a wide range of well- known authors and stories as well as to the school’s reading scheme. All class activities reflect the six areas of the Foundation Stage, working towards the Early Learning Goals of the National Curriculum.

Within the security of Reception we encourage the development of independence and lively, imaginative, enquiring minds. Individuality is recognised and learning is fun.

Years 1 to 6

From Year 1 the Junior Department follows a broad curriculum based generally on the National Curriculum schemes of work. The children will also receive the additional benefit of specialist subject teaching in music and PE, and later in Science, French, and Art.

The curriculum is further enriched by extending the learning experience outside the classroom. There are many opportunities for the pupils to visit historic sites, nature centres, places of worship, theatres, museums and art galleries. We also like to welcome outside speakers and theatre groups, to participate in a variety of workshops, and to develop the pupils’ individual talents in sport, music, drama and the creative arts.

The class teacher is an important figure in every pupil’s school life and is at the heart of the learning experience. However all the staff get to know the pupils well and it is this knowledge and understanding which enable the needs of each individual pupil to be recognised and catered for.


Art

Art enjoys a high status at the Junior Department. It offers pupils visual, tactile and sensory experiences not explored in other areas of the curriculum and provides a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. At Key Stage 1 art is fully integrated into class topic work. In Key Stage 2 it is taught in a well- equipped room by a specialist teacher. All aspects of this subject are covered. Themes are explored, including both 2D and 3D projects, using different media. An after school art activity is offered in addition to a ‘History of Art’ club for Year 6.

 


Design and Technology

Pupils carry out a wide range of practical activities, which involve identifying problems, needs or opportunities and responding to them by developing ideas and making a design. The finished product is evaluated in the context of the original need.

    

English

In the Junior Department we provide the children with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to use the English language confidently, appropriately and accurately to the best of their ability. This is achieved through reading, writing, speaking and listening. Pupils respond to a wide range of literature and poetry and develop an awareness and critical appreciation of the performing arts. Teachers aim to instil in pupils a love of books and encourage the children to enjoy using language as speakers, readers and writers. English is usually taught by the class teacher in periods distinctly allocated to the subject. Learning continues throughout the day and throughout the curriculum. A flexible approach enables teachers to adapt work directly to the needs of the pupils.


French

French is introduced in Year 2 when pupils are uninhibited and participate readily in new language activities. Songs, poems and role- play are used throughout the Junior Department to develop language competence and embed simple grammar rules.
As the pupils progress opportunities are sought to use French in a meaningful way: children in Year 4 order their breakfast at Café Rouge, letters are exchanged with French pupils, there is participation in European Theatre productions and by Year 6, pupils are confident enough with the language to participate in French assemblies to the whole department.

    


Geography

Geography is usually taught by the class teacher and forms the basis of much of the topic work. Enquiry forms an important part of pupils’ work, leading to investigations based on classroom activities and fieldwork. Pupils are given the opportunity to investigate their own surroundings and develop knowledge, skills and understanding of their own environment and the rest of the world.


History

The scheme of work broadly follows the National Curriculum non- statutory guidelines and is generally taught in a topic format. History is linked with other areas of the curriculum such as English, art and ICT wherever this is appropriate. Study of a major historical topic will either include a visit to a place relevant to the pupils’ area of study or visitors are welcomed to run workshops and role play sessions.


Information Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT is one of the most exciting and fastest growing subjects, providing our pupils with a range of skills and possibilities applicable in all areas of the curriculum. We are fortunate to be so well resourced; each class in Reception has at least two computers, there are five in the Year 1 classrooms, on the Greycotes site our two computer suites contain a total of 27 PCs and there is at least one computer in every teaching room. All machines are networked and provide speedy internet access.

We follow a rich and challenging scheme of work, often extending well beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum and encompassing such varied topics such as spreadsheet modelling, multi-media presentation, control and databases.

At the Squirrel children begin to work independently with computers which can be used for whole class teaching, group and individual work throughout the week. At Greycotes all classes receive a minimum of two periods of ICT per week. Children quickly develop a confidence and ease with the technology at their fingertips. Our aim is that pupils see ICT not simply as an individual subject but as a set of skills and tools which facilitate and enhance learning across the whole with of the curriculum. By Year Six, a substantial proportion of each pupil’s work is carried out on computer.


Mathematics

From the very early stages pupils have the opportunity to enjoy maths and study it with confidence and a sense of achievement. Learning is supported and developed through a wide range of practical activities. Pupils develop a sense of number and learn number facts. They tackle problems and recognise the operations needed to solve them, explaining their methods and reasoning in correct mathematical language. Pupils learn to calculate accurately and efficiently, both mentally and with pencil and paper drawing on a range of calculation strategies. They are able to explain and make predictions from graphs, diagrams, charts and tables.


Music

The primary reason for teaching music is to ensure that each pupil has the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate music. It develops creativity and imagination. Group music making develops social skills and an understanding of the need to co-operate with others. Listening to and performing world music fosters the understanding of a variety of cultures.

From the Nursery to Year 6 all children benefit from specialist teaching. They enjoy singing, listening to music from a variety of periods and cultures, and composition.
In Year 1 there is the opportunity to join a choir, while in Year 2 recorder lessons in small groups are available. From Year 3 we are able to offer individual lessons in piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet and trumpet. These instruments are taught by a talented team of visiting teachers. Tuition is during the school day and carefully fitted into each pupil’s timetable.

There is a wide and varied programme of musical extra curricular activities.

Physical Education

Physical education develops pupils’ physical competence and confidence and their ability to use these to perform various activities. Opportunities are provided for the pupils to be creative, competitive, work as individuals, in groups and in teams. It promotes positive attitudes towards an active and healthy lifestyle. From Year 1 pupils benefit from specialist teaching for games, gymnastics, athletics and swimming. There are plenty of opportunities throughout the Junior Department to participate in sporting competitions both within the school and against other schools. There is a wide and varied programme of extra curricular activities.


Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE)

Pupils gain knowledge and skills to help them live healthily and deal with spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues. Citizenship is designed to help pupils to be aware of what it means to be a positive member of a diverse multicultural society. Opportunities are provided to develop self confidence and self esteem
PSHCE is taught as a discreet subject, through other subjects across the curriculum and learned from experiences and relationships throughout the school.. Emphasis is placed on active learning by including pupils in discussions, assemblies, problem-solving and involving them in events such as charity fundraising and helping others less fortunate than themselves.

Religious Education

We celebrate cultural diversity by learning about different faiths and customs. Through our comparative approach to religious education we aim to promote understanding, truth, honesty, tolerance and respect, regardless of differences in background or belief. Assemblies promote ideals which are shared by the world’s major faiths.


Science

In Science we aim to develop a child’s natural curiosity about the world by providing opportunities for pupils to find out about themselves and the world around them. The development of scientific skills, knowledge and understanding is encouraged.

    


Learning Support

The Junior Department offers a programme of additional support for pupils who experience learning difficulties. Some may receive help from peripatetic specialist teachers.
The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator offers advice concerning the management of support in the Junior Department.

Gifted pupils benefit from differentiated work, which is integral to every scheme of work, a range of local and national competitions and examinations.