Wider Learning Opportunities

Religious Education:

As required by law we teach RE and hold a daily Act of Collective Worship (Anglican). As a Church of England Aided School the RE teaching provided is Christian (Anglican), based on the Rochester Diocesan expectations. The children also learn about Judaism, Sikhism, Islam and Hinduism. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Education and Acts of Worship after discussion with the Headteacher and Chair of Governors. As we are a Church School, it is expected that all children will attend.

Personal, Social and Health Education:

Our youngest children learn about topics including ourselves, families, forming friendships, staying safe and caring for others. In older classes, they look at issues such as how our bodies change, differences between each other, growing up, dealing with problems, friendships, health and hygiene. In their last year, they have the opportunity to discuss changes in their bodies in more detail in addition to the set curriculum. Specific sex and relationship education is taught in Year 6 and is set within the context of a whole school policy on PSHE and Citizenship. Parents are invited to see the materials that are shown in advance of the teaching. Parents/carers have the right to withdraw pupils from non-statutory teaching after discussion with the Headteacher.

School Council:

Our School Council comprises two elected representatives from each class. All children contribute through suggestion boxes and lively class debates. Issues discussed by the School Council include; social issues (e.g. how to be good friends) how children learn respecting the school building and fund raising. The committee members report back to classes after each meeting.

Homework:

Years Reception, 1 and 2 = 1 hour per week Years 3 and 4 = 1.5 hours per week Years 5 and 6 = 30 minutes per day In Key Stage 1 (KS1) homework focuses on reading and other short tasks to support learning. In Key Stage 2 (KS2) the emphasis is still on reading as well as Maths, spellings and times tables . Project work will also be given. Class teachers will discuss homework expectations and support families in managing it well. We provide a rich variety of sporting activities (see the PE & Sport Premium report on our website). The enjoyment and personal determination in sport is very important to us and we aim to provide a wide range of opportunities for all children. We have a very extensive range of sports clubs which change from time to time to give children the opportunity to try many sports. Alongside our own staff, we employ professional sports coaches to facilitate clubs. We focus on competitive sport and team games through inter-house tournaments, sports day, and our KS2 swimming sports events. We play football, tag rugby, netball, tennis, kwik cricket. Other Sporting Activities/Clubs include cross country, swimming, athletics, fencing, tennis, boxing, judo, dance and archery. The School participates in local area Primary School Leagues and tournaments and enjoys a high degree of success. These include football, tag rugby, netball, cross country and athletics (field & track). Our annual Sports Day is a mix of collaborative, competitive inter-house track and field events.

Swimming:

Swimming takes a high priority in summer as the school has its own heated outdoor pool subsidised by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), completely refurbished in 2019. All our children learn to swim and are often spotted for local competitive teams. Our children enjoy participating in a local Primary School Swimming Gala, and our

well, improving the playground, e-safety survey,

own KS2 Swimming Sports is an annual highlight.

Music:

Music and the performing arts play an important part in school life. Individuals, our choir and orchestra perform regularly in school, at church and in the wider community. Many children learn to play an instrument individually or in small groups. We organise these lessons ourselves and are able to secure very favourable fees. Currently children are learning to play the piano, violin, flute, recorder, trumpet and guitar but we endeavour to find a teacher for any instrument a child wishes to learn. We hold a performing arts recital each year, predominantly to celebrate our music-making talents.

The Arts:

We actively encourage visitors such as poets, story-tellers, theatre companies and instrumentalists to develop pupils’ appreciation of the Arts. Educational visits are organised to enhance knowledge, learning and support children’s individual talents.