St John's and St Clement's Primary School
St John's and St Clement's Primary School
The school is organised in three key stages. The Foundation Stage for pupils in reception classes, Key Stage1 (KS1) for years 1 and 2 and Key Stage 2 (KS2) for years 3 to 6. Classes are grouped in teams to enable greater continuity in planning and delivery of the National Curriculum. There are two classes of thirty in each year group.
Daily assemblies are held for all pupils. The whole school meets once a week, and on other days KS1 and KS2 meet separately. In accordance with our ethos and with legal requirements the majority of assemblies are Christian in content.
In accordance with the National Curriculum we provide the full range of subjects required and we endeavour to ensure that each child achieves the attainment targets that are appropriate to his/her age and ability. All children from years 1 to 6 follow the National Curriculum.
Children in reception classes follow the Foundation Stage curriculum which includes personal, social and emotional development; communication, language and literacy; mathematical development; knowledge and understanding of the world; physical and creative development.
We teach English by implementing the National Literacy Strategy including a daily literacy hour for each class. Visiting poets and storytellers enhance the pupils' experience of this subject. Classes are timetabled to use our school library each week. The school celebrates books in an annual Book Week and holds a five day book fair twice a year.
We deliver maths in a daily dedicated maths lesson based on the National Numeracy Strategy. This is delivered using a variety of resources. In KS2 pupils are grouped according to ability for numeracy work three days a week.
The science curriculum is built on the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) schemes of work which includes lessons on materials, physical processes and living things. Pupils have first hand experience of testing and experimenting. The school has links with the local London Wildlife Trust garden. KS2 pupils visit the Science Museum. The Year 5 school journey to Farms for City Children in Gloucestershire provides many opportunities for building on first hand experience.
Children in Years 1 and 2 work on the National Curriculum, at a level appropriate for them. All pupils are constantly encouraged to improve their work and many achieve, or exceed, level 2, the national expectation for the end of Year2.
Children in Years 3 to 6 work on KS2 of the National Curriculum. Most work at levels between 3 and 5 and many achieve, or exceed, level 4, the national expectation for the end of Year 6.
Full details of the National Curriculum are available for parents to read at the school by arrangement.
Planning for foundation subjects which include history, geography, art, design & technology and music is based on units of work most of which last for half a term. For KS1 pupils, and wherever possible, for KS2 pupils, these units are grouped together in a way which creates an overall topic.
Religious Education is central to our curriculum and is based on the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education scheme of work. All classes have a weekly RE lesson. Our daily Christian based assemblies foster the pupils' moral and spiritual development and build on their experiences in RE lessons. Assemblies are led by the Head Teacher, members of the teaching staff or visiting clergy. The subject delivery is enhanced by visiting speakers and classes visiting places of worship.
ICT includes whole class lessons in the ICT suite, the teaching of specific skills and the use of computers for a range of activities. Children are also given the opportunity to use technology such as digital cameras, scanners and roamers. Interactive Whiteboards have been installed in every classroom.
The History, Geography, Design Technology and Art curricula are based on the schemes of work suggested by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA). Work is enhanced by pupil visits to museums, historic sites and galleries and to nearby rural localities.
TopThe National Curriculum for music is delivered through a scheme of work tailored to our pupils. A music specialist teaches each class in KS1 and KS2 every week.
KS1 and KS2 classes have 2 PE lessons a week, one delivered by a PE specialist. Pupils are taught gymnastics, dance, athletics and games. The philosophy of Topskills and Topsport is incorporated into the delivery of P.E. From time to time pupils' P.E. skills are extended through after school clubs and coaching by visiting professionals.
Pupils' cultural development is fostered using visits and visitors which reflect their varied cultural backgrounds. The school uses photographs, artefacts and teaching materials which reflect as far as possible the ethnic background of the pupils. Family members are invited in to school to share their experience or expertise when this is relevant to the curriculum.
TopPersonal Social and Health Education and Citizenship is currently delivered by class teachers and linked to other curriculum areas. Team assemblies provide an opportunity to consider social and moral issues at a level appropriate for each age group. Each class has a weekly circle time to foster pupils' social and personal development. Sex and relationship education is delivered as a separate subject in year 5 and 6, but builds onto aspects of PSHE work covered at earlier stages.
The governors have a policy of providing a scheme of sex education lessons in Years 5 and 6. Children have to have their parent's written consent to attend these classes. All material used in this programme will be available in school for parents to see prior to the programme being started. Questions that arise as part of the programme will be answered fully and frankly as the situation permits. Children in the programme will be given the opportunity to ask private or informal questions should they so wish.
