The School Curriculum

English

Staff work hard to develop all aspects of the child's language skills. These include learning to read and write and the development of listening and verbal skills. By the time children move on to secondary school we want them to be able to express themselves with confidence both orally and in writing and to enjoy books and read with understanding. The school has fully implemented the Government Literacy Strategy.

Reading

Reading is the most important area of learning for all children as so much of the curriculum is dependent upon it. Children are encouraged to enjoy and respect books. There is a wide range of books in the school and children also make their own books or class books to read. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods. These include provision for "reading cues" such as phonics, word building etc. A home school reading scheme is established in the school so that parents have the opportunity to share in their children's learning and enjoyment of reading. All children are expected to read the book that they take home every night or share it with an adult as part of their homework. This should be for at least 5 minutes a night for infant pupils to at least 15 minutes for pupils in year 3 and above.

There is a school bookshop and children can save money on their "savings cards" to buy books. Children are encouraged to buy books in this way.

Writing

Children are encouraged to write for themselves in a variety of activities. The younger pupils have regular "shared writing" times in which the teacher demonstrates the skills of writing. We want all our children to write legibly. It is essential that they learn to form letters accurately from the beginning so formal letter formation is also taught. The same handwriting scheme is used throughout the school. A sample of the letter formation taught at South Rise is shown below.

Speaking and Listening

Children are encouraged to listen to story tapes, songs etc. and to discuss and enquire, relate and answer with confidence. Young children have opportunities for role-play in their classrooms and all children periodically take part in school plays, productions and assemblies.

Mathematics

Our policy for learning mathematics emphasises practical experience, encouraging the development and understanding of concepts and skills. Games, everyday things and situations, structured apparatus and computers are used for this purpose. We aim to give children a positive attitude to mathematics. By the time they leave us children should be competent in mental arithmetic and a wide range of other mathematical skills. The school has fully implemented the Government Numeracy Strategy.

Science

Children study the various aspects of science by observing, describing, questioning, finding out etc. in the world about them. They are given the practical experience they need to develop an understanding of the scientific concepts. We also use the local environment to further the children's studies and all children have at least two visits to the Environment Centre at Avery Hill.

Information and Communications Technology

Computers are used as a resource and are fully integrated across the curriculum. Computers are used to assist in all areas of learning - e.g.. problem solving, data collection, word processing, art etc.

History

This is usually studied as part of a topic in KS1. In KS2 work is done in specific areas e.g. a study of life in Tudor times. Children are encouraged to consider the past and differentiate between stories and fact. They look at time in relation to their own lives. They will also have an opportunity to visit local museums to study artefacts and other sites of historical interest.

Geography

This is also covered mostly in general topic work but in KS2 it is often more specific. The children are encouraged to learn about themselves, their country and culture and about the wider world. Children are made aware of environmental and ecological issues through this subject. They will also have the opportunity to visit contrasting locations to study the local environment. All children will have at least two visits to the Environment Centre at Avery Hill; they will visit farms, local parks, central London, and other sites of geographical interest.

Art

Children are introduced to a wide range of materials and techniques, including paint clay, sewing, printing and model-making etc. Children are encouraged to mount and display their own work. The displays of children's work enrich our environment. We use art as a means of developing children's imaginative and expressive abilities as well as their fine motor control and co-ordination. Pupils will have the opportunity to visit art galleries

Design and Technology

Children learn this subject mainly through working with a variety of construction toys, technical toys and through the use of tools. They are involved in planning and building and evaluating models.

Cooking is often done with groups of children. Apart from the fun it provides, it is part of the technology curriculum, has great scientific and mathematical value and is a great aid for the development of verbal skills and a sound preparation for life.

Physical Education

The development of physical skills in a safe and supportive environment is an important aspect of a child's education. All children have a full programme of physical activity, which includes gymnastics, games, dance and drama. Junior pupils in Year 4 have the opportunity to learn to swim. The school is represented in many borough sporting events. The Infant and Nursery pupils have a fun and games afternoon once a year in the school playground when they take part in various races. The Junior pupils have an annual sports afternoon on Plumstead Common.

"My favourite activity is swimming. When your child gets to Year 4 they will be able to learn to swim. Don't worry if your child does not know how to swim because the swimming instructor will teach your child. When we go swimming we travel on a coach. We go to Thamesmead. When your child has swum their length they will get a certificate. Sometimes if there is time we have playtime in the water. Swimming is GREAT FUN!" Hena Shiyani - pupil

"Every week we have some PE. We do running; games and sometime we do the apparatus. The teachers look after us and make sure we are doing safe things. We do PE inside and outside. When we do it inside we do it in a big hall. We have mats for safety reasons. The teachers make sure your muscles are warmed up when you are doing PE". Kim Martinson - pupil

Music

Children sing at assemblies, in their classrooms and at other special times. They also have access to instruments and often use them to accompany their songs. From Year 4 pupils have the opportunity to learn the recorder and other instruments (depending on the availability of tuition). We have two school choirs for pupils in Years 2 and 6. The school traditionally takes part in Borough Music Festivals. In KS1 we have termly school concerts where children have the opportunity to perform. In KS2, Years 3 and 4 share their music with parents at an annual "Sing-a-long". Years 5 and 6 perform musical productions once or twice a year. Whenever possible children are given the opportunity to see and hear others perform.

Religious Education

South Rise Primary is a multicultural School. Religious Education here is non-denominational. Religious Education takes place in the classroom and during school assemblies, where an appreciation of Christian values and beliefs as well as an understanding of different world religions is encouraged in line with the Greenwich Agreed Syllabus "Windows on Faith". Whilst acknowledging that the religious traditions in this country are in the main Christian, we use the stories of the major religious traditions and the festivals associated with these.

Collective Worship - Assemblies

These take place every day for the whole school, key stages or in year or class groups. Assemblies have a termly theme, which reflects the topics being taught in the classroom and the various religious festivals of the main faith communities represented in school, during the year. Every Friday in the Infant Hall we have a special Assembly in which we celebrate with the children who have had a birthday during the week and other aspects of school life such as work done in the classroom. Parents are always invited to these assemblies. Parents are also invited to other special assemblies throughout the year.

Parents have a right to ask for their children to be withdrawn from RE and Collective Worship. If possible alternative activities will be offered

to these children in school. Much of our work in this area is integral to the curriculum and part of the learning and awareness experience for children, and is offered in an open and objective way. Parents are invited to experience these activities alongside their children before they make a decision to withdraw them. Please feel free to discuss any concerns with us.

Personal, Social, Health and Sex Education

Personal, health and social education is generally taught throughout the school. Sex Education is taught through a topic about the Human Body in Year 5. The basis of this is a video, which has been approved by governors, parents and staff. It is part of a Personal, Social and Health Education scheme of work. Parents will be given the opportunity to watch the video prior to it being shown to the class. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from sex education if they wish.

"The school is protected just about as well as Fort Knox." Liam Cottrell

"One of the best things about our school is security. We have a range of security measures such as swipe cards; certain times for gate openings as well as staff on the alert for any unexpected visitor. We also have an entry phone at the front of the school so we know who is at the school doors. There is a Lollipop Lady just outside the school for children crossing the road and barriers to stop children running across the road. We have regular visitors to talk about safety. We have staff to look after your child if he/she has an accident. Our pupils feel safe during the 6 hours and 15 minutes of school time and they feel relaxed and comfortable. We take no risks while our pupils are here and they will have many friends in our Primary School." Jasvir Verdi. - pupil