Courtland School

The three main areas of the English Curriculum are Speaking and Listening, Reading and Writing. This is based on the National Curriculum.

Your child will be encouraged to be a good listener and to express himself or herself clearly and confidently. Your child will read daily for information and pleasure. Books and reading materials are displayed throughout our School in classes, libraries and corridors. Children are taught to write in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes and different audiences.

Children have a weekly session to visit the library, where they can borrow and return books using our digital reading cloud system.

Children learn mathematics in a variety of ways, for example, through practical work, discussions, problem solving, investigation and practising skills and routines.

The mathematics curriculum is based on the National Curriculum. A range of resources are used to support learning.

Our aim is for your child to be numerate, to enjoy mathematics and have a good understanding of mathematical ideas with a range of skills and knowledge that can be used confidently in any situation.

Science is as practical as possible with the emphasis being on scientific investigations.

The National Curriculum for science aims to ensure that all pupils develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. They are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.

The work is integrated into class topics where possible, although some activities are treated separately.

We aim to encourage your child to have an active interest in history in order to help them to have an understanding of the present, in the context of the past.

Drama, literature and art are used as a means of learning about past events and people and to develop a sense of curiosity in your child. Children study a range of historical periods which are brought to life with historical workshops, immersive days and the handling of artefacts.

Through the acquisition of geographical knowledge and skills your child will learn about people, places and the environment. Activities for the children will stimulate interest and curiosity in their environment and raise awareness and appreciation of the world in which they live.

Studying the local area, going on visits and School Journeys are important ways in which children develop their geographical skills, knowledge and understanding.

Children are taught computing skills which they then apply through a full range of subjects to aid learning. All children have regular access to Chromebooks and Google Classroom. The curriculum includes the learning of computer science, information technology and digital literacy ensuring a solid grounding for future learning and beyond. Technology is everywhere and will play a pivotal part in students' lives, therefore, we aim to model and educate our pupils on how to use technology positively, responsibly and safely. 

Music is an important tool for communication and can change the way children feel, think and act. Music is taught by a qualified music specialist in a weekly time-tabled slot, in our music room. Children are encouraged to listen and appreciate a wide variety of music, to use musical notation, compose and analyse their own compositions as well as learning about different composers.

Tuition in various instruments is provided by peripatetic teachers through the Borough Instrumental Teaching Scheme. Parents are actively encouraged to apply for tuition when their child is considered old enough. Children can learn to play the violin, keyboard, guitar and brass instruments. There is a termly charge for instrumental tuition which is payable in advance.

This does not include the hire of an instrument, which can be arranged at the Borough of Barnet Music Office. For those parents claiming Government financial support, help with the termly fees might be available

Design and Technology encourages children to be creative problem solvers. All children are taught to develop a range of ideas, plan, analyse and evaluate every design topic.

Design Projects are linked to a current theme or topic. These projects may include sewing, use of ICT, forces, sound and electricity. Your child will be taught designing and making skills through knowledge and understanding of materials, components and structures.

Art and design encourages children to produce creative and interesting pieces of work. Children learn to use colour, form, texture, pattern and a range of different materials to communicate what they see, feel and think. The above skills will be used in drawing, painting, printing, claywork and collage.

Your child will be also study the life and work of a range of artists and study their specific styles to prouce their own interpreations. Art also provides an opportunity to learn about other cultures and styles. Every year Year 6 class completes an art project with a visiting artist which is displayed in the school.

Physical Education encourages children to be aware of their bodies and develop skills needed to perform a range of activities. Sporting activities at Courtland enables all our children, whatever their gender and ability, to acquire specific skills within an enjoyable and challenging atmosphere. These include; athletics, dance, gymnastics, invasion games, striking and fielding games and swimming. Within these lessons, pupils learn the importance of exercise for their physcial and mental well-being. Children are taught to become leaders within sport through setting up of equipment, leading warm-ups and the Playground Leaders course.

Physical activity is provided through, structured playground games, P.E lessons, intra and inter-school competitions, virtual competitions, Sports Day and after school activities.

At Courtland, children have the opportunitiy to learn to swim at Northway School.

Parents of these children are invited to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost of swimming at Northway.

Swimming sessions are supervised by qualified instructors and the children are accompanied by members of staff at all times.

Children may have special needs throughout, or at any time, during their school career. We are committed to providing full access to the curriculum through differentiation, varied teaching styles and the best learning conditions for each child according to their need.

Early identification is vital so if you feel your child has a particular difficulty please contact us immediately.

A book entitled ‘Special educational needs and disabilities: a guide for parents and carers‘ is available to download from the GOV.UK DFE website. This guide explains how the system that supports children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND) works.

At Courtland we recognise that some children may excel in one or more areas of the curriculum. Lessons are planned to include differentiated tasks, so that each child can achieve personal standards of excellence.

We also recognise that many of our children have talents that they practice outside school in various clubs and classes. We encourage them to tell us about their activities and celebrate their successes in our newsletters and assemblies.

Collective worship takes place within the framework of School Assemblies. The aims of acts of collective worship are:

• To provide a time for reflection and prayer
• To encourage children to reflect on their own feelings and actions
• To develop children’s understanding of and respect for faith and faith systems
• To develop a sense of community and belonging
• To develop children’s awareness of the world beyond their immediate experience To encourage children to think of others

During the week, children are given times to reflect on their ideas, opinions and actions, and to think about how they relate to others. Guests from local faith groups are invited into school to deliver assemblies and discussions as and when appropriate. As part of the children’s religious educational programme they will have opportunities to visit a range of places of worship in the local community.

At Courtland we are fortunate in that we are able to draw upon a valuable resource in our children and parents who reflect the rich diversity in our multi-cultural society. We believe each child is entitled to the same opportunity within all aspects of school life. Assessment is one of the ways that we can ensure this is happening.

Assessment is central to the promotion of children’s learning. It is a vital part of the cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Teachers are constantly monitoring progress by assessing pupils in a variety of ways including observation, testing and evaluation of work as well as discussion with children. We need to assess pupils to be able to provide for their future learning needs.

Reception Baselin Assessment on entry to Reception in September.

Phonics screening takes place at the end of Year 1.

Multiplication Tables Check for Year 4.

Statutory Assessment takes place at the end of Year 2 and the end of Year 6.

The results of these assessments are publicised and used by the staff, Governors and OfSTED to monitor standards of attainment.

It is important to remember, however, that in a small school there will be year-on-year variations in the percentages published. All children are different and it is very important to us that each individual child makes good progress. This progress may not be reflected in the ‘league table’ results.

In Years 3, 4 and 5 the children are also assessed using formal tests in the summer term. The results from these assessments are analysed and used to track pupil progress. However they only form part of the final Teacher assessment.

We record your child’s progress in a variety of ways:

• Attainment and progress in reading, writing, grammar and mathematics.

• Writing assessments.

• Speaking and listening assessments.

• Progress in the foundation subjects.

• End of Year report to parents issued in the summer term.

• Barnet RouteMap, a computerised programme which tracks pupils’ attainment and progress.

Children learn best when they are happy and when parents and school work together to support their development and learning. It is vital for parents to share and discuss any problems with their child’s teacher or with the Headteacher. The vast majority of problems can then be ironed out quickly and effectively.

It is our sincere hope that this happens and problems are resolved without recourse to formal procedures.

However, if parents feel that appropriate action has not been taken or that a wrong decision has been made they can make a formal complaint. Procedures for doing this are outlined in our Complaints Policy. Link to Policy Page