Arden Primary School

Here at Arden, we believe in providing a rich diet of amazing books that engage and inspire our pupils to not only read, but also write with creativity and imagination. Stimulus for writing can also come from trips, visitors and our creative topics taught in our afternoon sessions. Early Years Foundation Stage use props, stories and events regularly to excite and inspire our young readers and writers to engage with literacy. Every Key Stage 1 and 2 class has daily Literacy sessions. During sessions, grammar and spelling form the spine of the lessons. These skills underpin the writing that takes place, and as the pupil’s skills develop, writing becomes more detailed and grammatically complex. Writing and reading often link to our topic work which immerses the pupils in the reading and writing process. Guided Reading is central to our literacy teaching. Key stage 2 have class sets of books to share and read during whole class guided reading sessions; we all enjoy holding our very own brand new book. We share books in other ways during a week; one-to-one reads, small groups, reading aloud and listening for enjoyment. This rich diet of language and imagination then inspires some amazing writing, alongside improving comprehension skills and the enjoyment of reading.

At Arden Primary School our children develop their mathematical understanding in number and place value, calculation, fractions, decimals and percentages, geometry, measure and statistics. Within all of these areas, the children are encouraged to apply their knowledge in problem solving and reasoning across a variety of contexts. Fluency is also developed in the learning of number facts, including times tables, which are rehearsed in a variety of ways to ensure all types of learners have equal opportunities. Our aim is to create resilient, passionate, enthusiastic and independent mathematicians who are able to explain and develop their thinking to demonstrate a deep and meaningful understanding of the subject.

Here at Arden, we believe that Geography is a key part of the National Curriculum and has a natural relationship with History. Each year group teaches the subject through topic, making meaningful connections across the curriculum. Lessons are fun and engaging throughout the school and children’s innate, what, where, when, why and how questions are highly encouraged through this subject. The subject is organised into key skills that are taught throughout the year. These skills are implemented into the planning of each year group to show progression throughout the school: • enquiry through asking and answering questions, • geographical language, • knowledge and understanding of places, (both local and worldwide), • knowledge and understanding of patterns and processes, why they take place and the impact they have, • sustainable development where they consider how to make the world a better place • map and atlas skills.

Here at Arden, we believe History provides the beginnings of an understanding of the human situation. Children are encouraged to develop transferrable skills, such as asking perceptive questions, thinking critically and weighing evidence. By stimulating their interest of other times and places, children develop an awareness of themselves in relation to their community and the part they can play in it. Every Key Stage 1 and 2 class has weekly topic sessions, where History is taught. Embedded in each year’s topic work are theme days allowing the children to be immersed in the learning within a rich and effective environment. Often, staff and children become significant figures from different times and places, researching costume, culture, beliefs and origins that extends their engagement beyond the classroom.

Art, craft and design is a practical and creative subject. Through their active participation, children learn to explore their imagination, generate ideas, acquire skills and apply judgement. It is also a subject in which pupils develop their knowledge and understanding as well as their skills. The children learn about the materials and techniques they use such as drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpting. The children also learn about the world of art, craft and design, recognising the achievements of artists, designers and craftspeople from many different times and cultures.

Design Technology provides our children with an opportunity to tackle problems of a practical nature. The cross curricular nature of Design and Technology offers a setting for the children to apply knowledge and skills from a number of other subjects including art, language, maths and science. Skills are developed using tools and devices in designing and making artefacts and food products with an emphasis on healthy living. Working with a variety of materials aims to help children learn important life skills. Children learn independently and in groups, learning to co-operate, plan, design and make and evaluate their work. They learn to make their own decisions with help and encouragement.

We aim to develop positive attitudes toward sport to increase skills and promote health and well-being. Each week, children take part in a variety of different physical activities within the school day and are able to take part in a wide variety of subsidised extra-curricular clubs. We participate in a wide range of competitive sporting events with other local schools such as: football, netball, tag rugby, cricket, swimming, cross-country, athletics, lacrosse, hockey and Boccia. Recent successes have included winning both our ‘cluster’ football and netball tournaments, winning local Cross-country races and qualifying for the borough cricket finals. We also provide regular opportunities to take part in inter-school sports festivals where the emphasis is more on fun than competition.

At Arden we strongly believe that PE is an important, essential part of the curriculum. All classes have at least two PE sessions per week and these are delivered by either teachers or coaching specialists. In conjunction with external providers such as Stockport County, FootyTotz, Werneth High School and Cheshire Cricket Board we ensure that our pupils receive a well-balanced, inspiring PE curriculum. We teach a range of gymnastics, dance, athletics, games, swimming (KS2 only) and outdoor and adventurous activities (Eg. Orienteering). We continually review our curriculum to ensure it is varied and engaging. Please ensure your child has a PE kit available in school at all times. This should consist of a white T-shirt, black shorts, sweatshirt and trainers. Children should have this kit in their PE bag. For Children in KS2 take part in swimming sessions. Boys should have fitted swimming trunks, girls should have a one-piece swimming costume. Children with longer hair must wear a swimming cap. All earrings must be removed for all PE lessons so please be mindful when having children’s ears pierced. All children who are fit for school are expected to take part in physical activities as part of the National Curriculum. Please contact us by letter or in person to let us know the reason why your child cannot participate in any physical education sessions.

At Arden, we seek to provide a broad and balanced Religious Education which enables the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils, whilst promoting the key British Values of mutual respect and tolerance. The school follows the Stockport agreed syllabus for Religious Education. Throughout the school children cover a wide range of Christianity units as well as exploring Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. A daily act of collective worship is held for all children. Each week a particular value such as resilience, respect or aspiration is highlighted. We endeavour to make our assemblies meaningful for all our children, so that all pupils can function comfortably in assembly and secure a sense of their own religious identity. Assemblies are broadly Christian in character, but include material drawn from other major world faiths.

At some time during each school day, children come together for acts of collective worship which allows a short time for reflection. Over the year a number of visitors are invited to lead assemblies, for example Bible Encounter, Ground Breakers and the Ethnic Diversity Service.

The Schools Linking Programme provides opportunities for children and teachers to meet, build new relationships, work together and contribute to the wider community. It also helps to develop trust, empathy, awareness and respect between communities. Arden is linked with Birchfields Primary in Manchester and during the year they will explore the concepts of identity, diversity, equality and community together both in their classrooms and through linking visits. The programme is under-pinned by on-goingreflection and four key questions: Who am I? Who are we? Where do we live? How do we all live together? The children in our linked classes meet on four occasions throughout the school year, to exchange photos, messages, poems, artwork and stories with each other and make a new friend or two.

The core language taught at Arden is French. Our planning is based on the Catherine Cheater scheme of work which covers all the components of the Programmes of Study. It is the intention that all children in KS2 will access first quality teaching of French in order to adequately prepare them for KS3. Our aims in teaching a language are: • To develop an interest in learning other languages. • To introduce young children to another language in a way that is enjoyable and stimulating. • To encourage children’s confidence and creative skills. • To stimulate and encourage children’s curiosity about language. • To encourage children to be aware that language has a structure and that the structure differs from one language to another. • To help children develop their awareness of cultural differences in other countries. • To develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. • To lay the foundations for future language learning.

At Arden Primary, we know that music promotes positivity, self-confidence and a sense of community. Therefore, we believe that it should be a part of our everyday practice, whether through singing assemblies, extra-curricular activities or music lessons. There are weekly singing assemblies for both KS1 and KS2 where the children learn to sing a wide range of genres or music. All children in school follow the ‘Charanga’ music scheme, exploring topics for their year group that explore all the interrelated dimensions of music. In Key Stage 1 the children will learn to use their voices to sing expressively through learning songs and they begin to explore playing tuned and untuned instruments. Through this they will also begin to compose. In Key Stage 2 the children will learn how to read and record staff notation, alongside learning to play a variety of instruments that include: glockenspiels, recorders and ukuleles. Children will also have the opportunity to explore some ‘Chair Drumming’ lessons. Improvisation and composition opportunities are also at the heart of the Charanga units for KS2.

There are opportunities through clubs for the children to be part of the KS1 or KS2 choir and join in the music clubs. Children will also use technology to aid their understanding of music and to record their compositional work.

Progression in music will be assessed through listening to musical responses and making regular video and audio recordings of their learning. Teachers also track progression in music right from Nursery through to Year 6. An age-related assessment will be given to parents/carers on reports. *Interrelated dimensions of music are: pitch, duration (rhythm), dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture and structure