Curriculum
Work throughout the school is matched to children’s different abilities by differentiation. Less able and exceptionally more able children are identified through teacher assessment and formal testing. They are then placed on a register and their needs are monitored, tasks are adjusted according to their ability. Where appropriate children are set according to ability in literacy and maths

Literacy
We deliver the Literacy Hour and emphasis is placed on reading, writing, and language development. A wide choice of reading material is provided, colour coded at different levels to ensure continuity and progression. A Shared Reading Scheme encourages active parental involvement.

The children are taught to write about their experiences and to use different approaches. Careful attention is given to the acquisition of writing skills, working as a class, or on an individual or small group basis. Literacy permeates the work of the whole curriculum. There is a school spelling and handwriting scheme and regular checks monitor progress in reading and spelling.

Mathematics
We are implementing the National Numeracy Strategy through regular numeracy lessons ensuring that all the children can improve and extend their mathematical skills.

Work is planned so that the children can develop their confidence and competence with their mental maths strategies, numbers and measures. They gain an understanding of the number system, a repertoire of computational skills and an inclination and ability to solve number problems in a variety of contexts. Their mathematical understanding is developed and encouraged through practical experiences.

Science
Scientific enquiry and methodology is seen as equal in importance to the understanding of concepts and facts. Often, a study of a science forms the main basis for a topic. Emphasis is always placed on first hand experience, fair testing and group work.

Information and Communication Technology
The school has an ICT suite where children can work individually, as a group or class. In addition, an individual computer is situated in each classroom to enable full curriculum coverage. Children have regulated access to the Internet. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards to aid teaching and direct access to the Internet. Parents are asked to sign and return the Internet consent form at the back of this document.

Design and Technology
The emphasis in our technology curriculum is on finding practical solutions to real tasks and problems through planning and making. Extensive use is made of a range of tools, materials and various construction kits.

History
This can be subject based, or topic based and teaches children the skills to research and understand life in the past. The children are encouraged to write up and display their work. Educational visits are arranged when appropriate. Prestbury is often a focus for study.

Geography
Children develop practical skills and knowledge about their local environment and the wider world. Links are made with other areas of the curriculum. Current news events, environmental issues and features of our immediate locality are often used as learning stimuli. Prestbury itself is a particularly valuable learning resource.

Music
The school maintains strong musical traditions. Children may learn to play the recorder. Instrumental lessons for brass, woodwind and strings are available during school hours from peripatetic teachers. Further details are available from the school office. Children have regular opportunities to take part in our musical productions.

Art
Children have experience of a variety of media and techniques e.g. paint, clay, fabrics, pastels and modelling. Work is well presented and is often used in hall and classroom displays. Local artists are encouraged to demonstrate their work .

Religious Education
Our Religious Education programme endeavours to give the children an awareness of themselves, a respect for others, as well as an understanding of other religions. Parents who wish to withdraw their children from religious instruction are asked to discuss this with the Head Teacher, so that alternative provision can be made.

Physical Education
Sporting Aims: The staff and governors believe physical education plays a vital part in the development and well being of the whole child. The school has two playgrounds, an adjacent playing field and a well equipped hall. Activities in lessons include gymnastics, football, rugby, netball, rounders, uni-hoc, athletics, volleyball, cricket and dance. Matches and tournaments are arranged with other schools. Annual sports days are held and well supported by parents. Children have the opportunity to take part in district sports events.

Swimming
For one term a year, years 3, 4, and 5 have swimming lessons (for which there is a small charge) at Cheltenham Leisure Centre. It is county policy that pupils are not permitted to wear swimming goggles.

Personal, Social, Health and Cititzenship Education
All pupils experience a regular and varied programme of Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education which helps them to develop confidence, a healthier and safer lifestyle, and respect for other people.

Special Educational Needs
Work throughout the school is matched to children’s different abilities by differentiation and multi-sensory teaching. Less able and exceptionally more able children are identified through teacher assessment and formal testing. They are then placed on a register and their needs are monitored, tasks are adjusted according to their ability.

We adhere to the SEN Code of Practice and appropriate individual help can be given to children who experience difficulty with literacy or numeracy. The school is able to draw upon the expertise of the Special Needs Co-ordinator and when necessary the Advisory Teaching Service (A.T.S.) 

Class teachers identify pupils with an individual need. Pupils are assessed formally or informally to identify learning targets and placed on ‘School Action’. An Individual Educational Plan (I.E.P.) is produced for the child. I.E.P.s are constantly under review and formally reviewed twice a year. Records are kept by class teachers and the Co-ordinator.

Children who are on ‘school action plus’ receive additional help in the form of human resources.

The school is able to call on a number of specialists in addition to the A.T.S. e.g. doctors, play therapists, psychologists if there are particular concerns.

Homework
Homework is regularly set and the homework policy is available in school for parents to view. Children are encouraged to continue the learning process at home.  Parental help with the learning of multiplication tables and number bonds is much valued. Reading books are taken home and a record of books read with pupil /parental comments is kept. At the beginning of each term the parents of every child are sent a home/school communication letter.  This gives further details about homework requirements, classroom routines and curriculum topics to be covered.

Worship
Children participate in a daily act of collective worship. We celebrate special occasions in our local church, and visit the church for a service held by the clergy once a term. Parents are invited to join our acts of worship for parental services and special sharing services.

Visits
Visits are made to places of interest, related to topic work. In addition theatre and music groups have been invited to perform in the school hall. Voluntary contributions are requested from parents, to meet the cost of most trips. There is a residential programme in operation for years 4 and 6.