Hill West Primary School Issue 4, June 2012
Pedagogical Newsletter – June 2012 National Curriculum Did you know that the Government have been carrying out a National Curriculum Review. The aim of the review is to “provide heads with a clear sense of high expectations in the essential subjects of mathematics, science and English” (Gove, June 2012). Find out more overleaf.
In this issue: National Curriculum Review Times Tables Challenge at Hill West
Times Table Challenge Academy Trust Wired on Technology Pupil Premium Take Over Days
Reminders: Reports Live to parents on Friday 6th July 12pm Parents Evening Monday 9th July 5pm – 7pm
As you know we have been reviewing the way we teach and challenge children to learn, use and apply their times table knowledge. We have now launched our new reward incentive which sees every child issued with a times tables challenge card. The children can then collect wrist bands when they are able to prove that they can recall their multiplication
facts at speed. Your child can potentially collect 3 wrist bands (bronze, silver and gold) that celebrate their proficiency with particular times tables e.g. 2, 5 and 10. There is also a platinum category to enable some of our pupils to truly excel. The National Curriculum Review currently taking place suggests that all children should be secure in the use of their times tables to 12x12 by the end of Year 4.
Academy Trust The Academy Alliance with Arthur Terry is gaining momentum. We have now received our Academy Order from the DfE. This is the first part of the conversion process. Consultation with a variety of stakeholders has already began and this will include parents, staff, the Local Authority, Professional Associations and the wider school community. As a group of Head Teachers we are beginning to meet regularly
to shape the vision, values and systems unique to the learning partnership. This week we have focused on our shared vision: That is what underpins and drives the academy’s strategy including our ethos, values and ambition. Discussions also took place around some standard systems that we may like to employ across the alliance including behaviour, target setting and staff appraisal.