Curriculum

English
We recognise the importance of children being able to communicate their ideas in a variety of ways. The children learn to do this through developing the skills of speaking and listening, reading and writing. English teaching takes place daily through the literacy hour, where children experience a range of texts for reading and respond to a variety of purposes for writing.

Mathematics
The National Numeracy Strategy forms the basis for our maths work in school. Each class has a daily maths lesson and there is a strong emphasis on developing mental skills. Our younger children work in a very practical way. As they progress through the school more formal methods of written calculation and recording are introduced.

Science
Our policy is to encourage exploration, discovery and understanding of science in a practical way. The work is organized into topics. Older children begin to use their existing knowledge to design tests which investigate new scientific ideas.

ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
ICT is a growing area of learning in our school. We aim to equip our children with the basic skills of word processing, data handling, modelling and control. Children also have controlled access to the internet through the Somerset Intranet. ICT is used as an every-day tool for learning. We have a well equipped ICT suite. Our School Improvement plans include the networking of all classrooms and the use of a digital data projector for teaching throughout the school.

R.E.
The schools Religious Education policy has been compiled in accordance with the LEAs non-denominational Agreed Syllabus.

The policy reflects our Christian tradition but we ensure that the children gain some awareness of other world religions and cultures. All parents have the right to withdraw their child from the school?s daily collective act of worship, or from Religious Education. If children are withdrawn, they will have alternative supervised work provided for them in another classroom. Any parent wishing to do this should make a written request to the Headteacher.

· History explores changes in the recent and more distant past.

· Geography teaches the children about environments near and far.

· Music allows the children to develop listening and performing skills. Children have opportunities to learn instruments with visiting music teachers. There is a fee payable for this service.

· D.T (Design and Technology) Encourages children to plan and design and to use practical skills to make finished products.

· Art allows children to express their individuality and creativity through a variety of mediums.

· Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education Alongside our main curriculum areas we follow a programme of P.S.H & C.E. Much of this is taught through Circle Time. Throughout school life we foster the childrens development as whole people. We believe they should develop positive attitudes and respect for themselves and for others. Health Education is mainly covered by the Science curriculum and develops an understanding of how to keep healthy including avoiding substances which are harmful.

· P.E Children have both indoor and outdoor lessons. The school playing field in the village is used regularly for P.E. and by after school sporting clubs. KS2 children also have swimming lessons in the Spring term. P.E. is an important part of our curriculum and is not optional. For Health and Safety reasons children must be suitably dressed.

Sex Education Policy
The aim of our Sex Education policy is to provide factual information in a sensitive way, and to enable children to ask questions about sexuality and reproduction without embarrassment, so that they are ready for the changes they will experience in puberty. Whenever possible sex education is integrated into the wider curriculum using a variety of books, printed material and videos. In Y5 and Y6 the school nurse is involved in some classes.

Parents wishing to withdraw their child from Sex Education should in the first instance discuss this with the Headteacher.

Homework
Children in reception and Year 1 are encouraged to read at home on a daily basis. In Year 2, children bring home spellings to learn and they may have maths tasks to complete in addition to their reading. By Year 3 children will have regular reading to do plus spellings and tables to learn. They will also have additional maths or literacy tasks to complete each week.

Special Educational Needs
We support the County policy of inclusive education and aim to involve all children in all aspects of school life. It is our aim to identify children with special educational needs as soon as possible to provide the support necessary to meet these needs and allow these children to have access to the National Curriculum. We recognize the importance of working with parents and will consult support agencies where we feel this is appropriate. Children identified as having needs beyond the schools basic entitlement plan will have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) which will have specific targets to work towards and which will be shared with parents.
Gifted and Talented Pupils
At Ditcheat we feel that children who are exceptionally able also have special educational needs. Their particular needs will be addressed through a differentiated curriculum and enrichment activities, as described in our separate Gifted and Talented pupils policy. Parents will be kept informed of their progress in the usual way.