Science

At Brayton Junior School we believe that Science is a practical ‘hands on’ experience.  Pupils have opportunities to explore ideas about the world through observation, experimentation, visits and demonstrations with increasing independence.

The Science is organised to cover the required areas of knowledge as defined in the revised National Curriculum on a two yearly cycle.  These areas have then to be re-visited in Years 5 – 6, but the ideas explored will become progressively more complex as will the skills expected.  Where appropriate Science may be taught as a main focus of a topic, but may also be a subsidiary topic, depending on the other areas of the curriculum to be covered at that time.

Modern Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Languages is now part of the curriculum at this school.  We currently have two members of staff teaching French across the year groups.  Children are given the opportunity to learn French through the ‘Early Start’ programme.  This involves talking to each other using new words and phrases taught in each unit, playing games, singing songs and watching short video clips of French speaking children.  Pupils are also given the opportunity to assess their own learning working alongside the teacher.

ICT

All classrooms are equipped with at least two Windows XP fully networked PC’s and a Promethean interactive whiteboard. These are used daily for cross-curricular class teaching. The ICT Suite contains fifteen high specification networked workstations, a colour laser printer and scanner. The school has a comprehensive selection of software to support staff and pupils across all areas of the curriculum, with new content being added regularly. The imminent launch of a Learning Platform initiative will allow pupils to access and use a wide range of ICT resources. All pupils receive up to an hour of taught ICT time per week, learning a wide range of skills. These include data handling, graphical modelling, spreadsheets, multimedia presentations, control and use of email and the internet. Year 5 pupils are taught control sessions arranged by Brayton College.
The school utilises a broadband internet connection. NYCC Schools ICT has selected our internet provider. Internet use is remotely monitored and we operate strict filtering systems. An adult is always present when pupils are using the internet. Guidance is given on responsible use and the local Police visit the school to discuss safety issues with the pupils. Parental permission is obtained on entry to the school.

Numeracy

Mathematics is a key life skill. We are ambitious for all our pupils to become skilled and confident in mathematics. We implement The National Numeracy Strategy as a framework for teaching mathematics. Pupils have a daily numeracy lesson, with opportunities to use mathematical skills in other curriculum areas. Mental and oral skills are given a high priority. The building blocks of mathematics include the basic number bonds, the times tables and the ability to build new number facts from known ones. However mathematics is more than just numbers, pupils study a range of topics including shape, measures, data handling and problem solving.
We encourage pupils to use these skills in investigations and problem solving and wherever possible to make links to real life situations. Opportunities to use ICT are embedded into the daily lesson via the classroom interactive whiteboard and regular use of the ICT suite. We group children so as to best extend the progress and potential of all pupils.
A booklet is available for parents to explain methods of calculation used within school. We hold regular meetings for parents to update on any new initiatives.

Music

The Music curriculum is delivered throughout all year groups using a consistent music scheme which is in-line with the National Curriculum and includes singing, performing, composing, listening and appraising skills.  External music specialists visit school to deliver practical programs such as Samba Band and Wider Opportunities (whole-class instrumental teaching).  Our Music Coordinator runs several lunchtime and after-school clubs during the school year including a choir, an orchestra and a recorder group, as well as supporting whole-school singing and the production of whole-school performances.  Instrumental and vocal success is encouraged in school and our young musicians are given opportunities to perform across year-groups and/or to parents in concerts.

Instrument Tuition

The County Music Service provides peripatetic instrument lessons and six teachers currently visit our school, offering weekly lessons in brass, woodwind, strings, keyboard, guitar and voice.  Children are charged for this tuition and are normally expected to provide their own instruments.  They will also have to miss lesson time.  Further details and application forms are available from the school office.

Literacy

In daily Literacy sessions children are encouraged to develop their abilities to, speak, listen, read and write for a wide range of purposes. We use the National Literacy Framework to develop children’s literacy skills over the four years they spend at Brayton Junior School.

Literacy lessons allow children to develop skills in communicating ideas and views.  They enable children to express themselves creatively and imaginatively, as they become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama, as well as non-fictional texts. 

All children are given the opportunity to choose levelled reading books and are encouraged to read regularly in school and at home, keeping a log of their progress in a reading diary.

In written work children develop the skills to write in a range of styles with growing independence. They are encouraged to check their own writing for missing punctuation and to identify whether they have explored a wide range of connectives and high level vocabulary. In weekly Big Writing sessions the children enjoy discussion and stimulus activities and then go on to write on their own with greater confidence and enthusiasm.

Design Technology

At our school we believe that Design and Technology should encourage pupils to learn to think creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.  Children are taught to look for opportunities and to respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making a range of products.  Children are encouraged to evaluate present and past design technology, its uses and its effectiveness.