| The School Curriculum |
This page was last updated: Sunday, 27th September 2009 |
The School Curriculum
Introduction:
We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all children. The school uses qualified specialist teachers to follow National Curriculum and Staffordshire R.E. guidelines, including the government's Primary and Secondary Strategies. We try to make all learning varied and interesting for the children in line with our school aims. The "Departments" and "Course Summaries" sections of the school website (www.oldfields.org.uk) give details of the content and organization of all the courses which the children study. Paper copies can be provided if you need them – please ask the school office.
Organisation:
There are four classes in each year group, named after house groups. Children are timetabled from the start with specialist teachers, though Year 5 classes are taught in their area as much as possible. After the first few days in Year 5, all children are placed in ability groups for Maths and English. Class teachers take a special interest and overview of the welfare of the students in their class. Some lesson groups are taught in mixed ability classes: many groups (for example I.C.T. and practical subjects, especially further up the school) have smaller teaching groups. Science classes are banded in Years 7 and 8; English and Maths are taught in ability groups throughout the school, and French in Year 8 is also set according to ability.
School visits – providing broader and more enjoyable learning experiences:
Over the school year there is an enormous range of different visitors, visits and trips which broaden the curriculum. Just a few examples: last school year about 45 Year 8 students visited Paris with teachers from the French and Art departments, Year 8 classes visited the JCB Worldwide Centre, and the Rainforest Roadshow and Caliche (a South American folk group) visited Year 5 classes. There are many photographs on the school website - see “Latest News”. We also offer a half week residential outdoor education course at Laches Wood Centre to Year 5 students and a week-long residential outdoor education programme is also offered to Year 7 students at the Standon Bowers Centre.
Also try clicking on this link: Year 7 visit Standon Bowers Outdoor Education Centre.
Subject information:
Year 5 Swimming instruction takes place in at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre. Last year “top up” swimming lessons were arranged at Thomas Alleyne’s pool for students in the whole school who could not swim 25 metres. French lessons begin from Year 5. All students are taught Personal and Social Education linked with Citizenship. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is taught as a separate subject from Year 5. As you would expect, computers are used in just about every subject area and the school has good facilities. There are two dedicated ICT rooms with Windows NT networks using Microsoft Office with broadband Internet access, and also three banks of wireless laptops connected to the school network. Almost all classrooms have interactive whiteboards or projectors and there are computers linked to the network in almost every teaching area around the school.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS:
Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a whole school issue and all teachers are teachers of students with SEN, providing a broad, balanced and relevant education. We adopt a graduated response in order to match special educational needs to the appropriate level of intervention.
We make full use of available classroom-based and school-based resources before referral to outside agencies. There are meetings arranged during the year to support parents organised by Mrs McMulkin, our Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). The school’s SEN policy and programme is available here:
Click on this link to view the school’s Special Educational Needs Policy.
Please contact the school to arrange a meeting with Mrs McMulkin if you would like to discuss how your child’s Special Educational Needs could be met at this school.
SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION
This is taught as an integral part of the Science teaching programme in Year 7, and is a part of the Citizenship programme in Year 8. The Science element covers aspects of human physical and emotional development, using the television series “Scientific Eye”. Mr Newcombe, Head of Science, invites Year 7 parents beforehand to an evening where the course materials and the television programmes are discussed. If you need further information, please contact Mr Newcombe at the school.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:
Oldfields Hall is the only non-denominational Middle School in the Uttoxeter area. Religious Education lessons, once per week for all students, follow the agreed Staffordshire syllabus. If you wish to withdraw your child from assembly or from parts of the curriculum for religious reasons, please contact the Headteacher. Alternative arrangements can be discussed if necessary.