Ringsfield Church of England Primary School

A Broad and Balanced Curriculum

Academic achievement is given a high priority at Ringsfield Primary School. We have high expectations for our learners in the core subjects of English, maths, science and Religious Education.

At the same time, we equally value a broad and rich curriculum that gives all children the opportunity to develop and shine in all areas of learning.

Teachers plan using a curriculum map which structures learning across the school and over the year. The curriculum map helps teachers organise the curriculum into themes and to make links between different areas of learning. Teachers use the curriculum map flexibly, adapting it to meet the needs of each class or to make the most of opportunities that come along. 

We also have special weeks or themed days during the school year which promote and inspire a particular aspect of learning, for example we organise a Science Week, Book Days, Language Themed Days and Arts Events. Each term we also link up with children from our Association partner school for special, themed days that tie in with our curriculum focus. A range of exciting events are organised during these special occasions and many members of the school community become involved, helping to make them a fun and memorable time for all the children.

We have developed and organised the curriculum at Ringsfield School to make learning exciting, meaningful and memorable for our learners.

ENTHUSIASTIC, ENGAGED AND CURIOUS!

Locking in Learning

Children's learning in each area of the curriculum is organised into units. Each term, there is a class curriculum theme and many of the units are linked to this theme. At the start of the term, the theme is introduced to the children with a special event or activity that opens up the learning theme to inspire and engage the children.  At the end of the term, the learning around that theme is brought to a conclusion with an event that celebrates the children's achievements and locks -in the learning. 

A Creative Approach to Learning

Staff use a range of creative approaches to provide children with a stimulating variety of learning experiences. Children experience learning sometimes working independently and sometimes working collaboratively with others. We value children learning skills (such as how to work as part of a group or how to use the internet to research a topic) as much as learning knowledge and facts. Our children develop an understanding of themselves as learners so that they not only know what they are learning but also how they are learning. 

A Flexible Approach

We take an innovative approach to learning and are responsive to needs and opportunities that arise. In this way we can keep learning exciting and relevant for our children.

One of the benefits of being small schools is the relationship the staff build with children. Staff at Bramfield, Brampton and Ringsfield schools pride themselves on knowing the children that we teach really well. As such we are able to provide a tailored curriculum, suitable for the needs and abilities of each child. In this way, we continue to strive to bring out the best in everyone.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

We make the most of opportunities to take learning beyond the classroom. We are in a beautiful, rural location with many interesting places on our doorstep, or a bus ride away. We make frequent use of the local area and the school grounds to enhance children's learning.

Children in Years 5 and 6 go on residential camps with children from our wider family of local schools, which give them learning opportunities beyond those we can provide in school.

We also like to invite visitors into school for the children to meet and learn from. For example, local artists have led workshops for our children, and help to run our thriving school garden.  We know that these experiences really interest and inspire our learners.

Phonics and Reading

Phonics is the teaching of the sounds in words and the letters used to represent these sounds. We place a huge emphasis on teaching children a thorough understanding of phonics as it is the key that unlocks reading and lays the basis for subsequent learning. We use the Little Wandle new Letters and Sounds Scheme starting in Nursery and Reception and continuing throughout Key Stage 1 with daily, focused lessons. Children take a phonics test at the end of Year 1 to judge their progress. Our aim is that all children will have a sound, secure understanding of phonics by the age of 7. Some children need continued support with the learning of phonics as they move into Key Stage 2 and these children are supported with small group interventions until their knowledge of phonics is secure. Every year we organise a meeting for parents to explain our approach to teaching phonics so that you can become familiar with phonics and support your child at home.

Children at  Ringsfield Primary School are avid readers and reading is highly valued. We encourage our children to read every day and to share their reading with their teacher and classmates. We hear children read regularly in school through guided reading. We also organise an annual Book Day when children dress up as their favourite book characters and special activities are organised.

Writing, Grammar and Punctuation

Good quality writing is expected of children throughout all areas of the curriculum. Teachers plan meaningful, engaging activities that support children's development and encourage them to write. Where possible, children are given 'real' contexts for writing - such as by sharing their writing with children in the -  other Association schools or writing to local councillors when the children feel strongly about an issue. We find that this helps motivate children. Similarly, writing is linked directly to our curriculum theme or topic. 

Children are taught spelling, grammar and punctuation explicitly to support their development as writers and to prepare them for the Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Test at the end of Year 2 and Year 6.

Maths

We want all children to have the opportunity to enjoy mathematics and study it with confidence and a sense of achievement. We wish them to achieve a high standard in fluency (eg learning times tables), develop a range of other mathematical skills and apply these skills with confidence and understanding when solving problems.

Children are given challenging and rewarding tasks to complete through the mastery approach. They are encouraged to apply their mathematical skills and knowledge to practical, problem-solving and investigative tasks and activities. This promotes their thinking skills and challenges them to apply the maths they have learnt, to draw links between different aspects of their learning and to consider alternative solutions.

Children are also encouraged to work collaboratively, sharing ideas with a partner or group and discussing their results, recording these in written, oral or pictorial form. This varied approach to Mathematics and the breadth and creativity of the work promotes both understanding and enjoyment in the subject.

Science

We put emphasis both on skills and on knowledge in the new national curriculum.

We want all our children to be inquisitive about their environment and how and why things work the way that they do. We aim to give children the skills to interpret this information and to use it as a basis for further investigation. All children will be encouraged to communicate their discoveries through a variety of means including diagrams, written work, drama, presentations and through ICT. We believe that children need to begin to understand how all living things are interrelated as well as the effect that man has on the environment. 

We currently hold a Gold Gilt Primary Science Mark

Computing

We believe that teaching computing  is a core priority. We want to prepare our children for a rapidly changing technological world. ICT is embedded throughout the curriculum and children are given access to computers and the internet as part of their ongoing, continuous provision in each class. Children are taught coding and programming. Children are taught the skills to make use of the internet and specific software packages and to help them to stay safe online. It is our aim that our children are given positive experiences which enable them to become confident and critical users of this technology. All children have access to our schools' password-protected, safe learning platforms - Google Classroom. These are areas where children can communicate with each other, upload their work and further explore the things they are learning about in school. 

Visual & Performing Arts and Music

We value the visual and performing arts. We employ a skilled, specialist art teacher to teach this aspect of the curriculum and also work with visiting artists. We submit work each year to local exhibitions including Suffolk Young Artists competition. 

As well as learning music through the curriculum, many children access instrument tuition and musicians regularly perform in school assemblies. Our schools regularly participate in local events. We know that taking part in a school performance can be a highlight of a child's school experience and a memory that will stay with them for life.  As such, each year the whole school comes together to produce a special performance at Christmas.

RE

Ringsfield Primary School is a Church of England School. Our core values are based on Christian values. Through RE we aim to teach children both about religion and from religion. Children learn about Christian values and teachings and compare these with the teachings and values of other major World religions. They ask big questions and share their own thoughts, feelings and beliefs in an atmosphere of respect and understanding.

If parents wish to withdraw their child from religious education requests are to be made in writing to the head teacher.

History and Geography

We believe that study of Geography should inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the World and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Geography equips children with an understanding about how people interact with the places in which they live and of the physical processes that affect the World.

We believe that the teaching of History should inspire children's curiosity about the past and equip them with the skill they need to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments and develop a sense of perspective and judgement.

At  Ringsfield Primary School Geography and History are frequently taught through English and these subjects form the basis of many of our termly topics. This gives the children the time and structure they need to explore and become immersed in the subject.

Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education

Our PSHE curriculum aims to equip our children with the life skills they need to grow and flourish as individuals and with each other in society. Our lessons include  explicitly teaching the skills they need to manage friendships, resolve conflicts, set goals and feel positive about themselves. Our PSHE lessons cover drugs and medicine education, financial education, the importance of a healthy lifestyle and sex and relationships education. Our aim is to enable our children to be able to understand others, manage risk and make positive choices in their lives.

D&T

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others' needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Modern Foreign Languages

Children at Ringsfield Primary Schools learn French throughout Key Stage 2. French lessons are fun and action-packed: we learn through games, songs, actions, role-play and through listening, speaking and writing activities. Our aim is to enable children to be able to express themselves and to understand and be able to respond to French speakers both in speech and in writing.

Physical Education

The high-quality PE curriculum at Ringsfield Primary School inspires children to excel and succeed in competitive sport and physical activity. We provide children with opportunities in gym, games, athletics, dance and swimming to become physically confident in a way that supports their health and fitness. Our schools both have large sports fields which remain open and in use throughout the year. Our halls are used for gym and dance. We also take KS2 children to local swimming pools for lessons.  

Regular inter-school sporting competitions are held through the North Suffolk Sports Partnership. 

Outdoor spaces

We are fortunate at Ringsfield School, in having excellent play spaces; a large field including a wildlife pond, a playground, an adventure playground and an exciting, early year's play facility.  We also have a plot where we grow vegetables. We have a new outdoor classroom. 

Special Responsibilities

In the school we promote children's independence by encouraging them to think for themselves and take on school roles and responsibilities. The children vote and make decisions about road safety officers, playground leaders and school duties.

Homework

Homework can make an important contribution to childrens' progress at school. As well as reinforcing learning in the classroom, homework helps children to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful independent lifelong learning.

Parents, pupils, staff and governors agree that homework has the following main purposes:

• Developing an effective partnership between the school and parents
• Giving parents insight into their child's learning and achievements.
• Reinforcing, consolidating and extending classroom learning particularly in numeracy and literacy.
• Developing the confidence and self-discipline for independent learning.
• Preparing children for secondary school.

Throughout their time at our Primary schools, pupils will be encouraged to spend some time each week at home following up work or completing tasks set by the teacher. Most of the time pupils will be able to complete the work on their own, but there will be times when they need parents' help. Tasks set will include reading, learning spellings and tables, researching, investigating and reinforcing work covered in class.

Each child is issued  school bag containing a home/school book which is a valued means of communication and forms an important dialogue between home and school.  We ask parents to record when their child has read and give any other information in the book of which the teacher should be made aware.  We do set regular homework and it is hoped that parents will encourage their children to complete the work set, also sent home in the school book bag.  Please ensure that your child brings this bag to school every day.   We encourage parents to come into school to support the teachers and to help with a variety of activities, art, games, hearing pupils read, etc.  If you have a specialist area of interest and would like to support your child in school in this way, please do not hesitate to contact the Head Teacher.

The school has a Homework Policy that was developed through consultation with parents, pupils, staff and governors.

Early years curriculum

The new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, sets out the standards for development, learning and care of children from birth to five. It is important that all children are given the opportunity to experience the best possible start to their education.

We need to ensure that our children enter school having established solid foundations on which they can build. Children will start in our Nursery Class having had a range of different experiences. Within the Nursery Class and Reception Year, learning experiences of the highest quality are planned, considering children's needs and achievements and the range of learning experiences that will help them make progress. Well-planned play is a key way in which children learn with enjoyment and challenge, both within the indoor and outdoor learning environments. The Foundation Stage prepares children for learning in Key Stage 1 and is consistent with the National Curriculum.

In the Nursery Class and the Reception Year, the curriculum is planned and resourced to take children's learning forward and to provide opportunities for all children to succeed in an atmosphere of care and of feeling valued.

The curriculum for the Foundation Stage is designed to ignite children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and to build their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. The curriculum is planned in seven areas of learning and development; all areas are important and inter-connected.

There are three prime areas which are:

Communication and Language Development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical Development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.

There are four specific areas through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. These specific areas are:

Literacy Development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.

Understanding the World involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Expressive Arts and Design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.