LITERACY

All classes have literacy sessions in which the children undertake activities, which enable them to cover our programme of study prescribed.
A wide range of books and methods are used in the teaching of reading.
We believe that

• The development of speaking and listening skills and reading and writing skills take place across the curriculum

 

We aim

• To encourage children to develop their thinking skills
• To improve their ability to express themselves clearly and confidently, in a variety of situations, and likewise to increase their listening skills
• To develop within the children an enjoyment of books, fiction, non-fiction and verse, and to enable them to read confidently with pleasure and to find information
• To develop the children’s ability to write accurately, creatively, and factually for a range of purposes, in a neat, joined and legible handwriting style

 

MATHEMATICS

All classes have a daily mathematics input in which the children carry out activities to enable them to cover our programme of study.
We believe that

• Children need to become familiar with a wide variety of mathematical concepts and skills
• Children need to gain the confidence to apply and use these skills in all other areas of their school work

 

We aim

• To develop a positive confident attitude to the subject
• To develop a real interest and fascination in maths
• To reinforce these skills by applying them practically in everyday life

 

SCIENCE

Science is taught mainly through focused topics.
We believe

• Children learn science through play, talking and listening and doing

We aim

• To develop the children’s ability to use observational and investigative skills
• To enquire about the world around them
• To plan investigations, make predictions, form hypotheses and conclusions for themselves by carrying out practical experiments
• To appreciate and be excited by ‘discoveries’
• To relate and record these ‘discoveries’

 

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

There is a wide range of ICT resources through the school to assist in the teaching and learning of all subjects. Each class room has a LCD monitor and a separate interactive whiteboard. Children have access at least twice a week to the computer suite, which has an interactive white board and computer work stations.
We believe

• That children must be aware of the appropriate use of ICT and its influence on every day life

We aim

• To help each child to develop a familiarity with ICT equipment in order to foster confidence and independence when using it
• To enable them to develop ICT capability across the curriculum

 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

A balance of games and related activities are taught throughout the school year.
We believe

• The teaching of physical education has a high priority in this school as we believe the development of physical skills is essential in the all round development of the young child

We aim

• To encourage enjoyment, confidence and a sense of achievement
• To promote physical development, fitness and an awareness of one’s own body and its capabilities

 

ART AND DESIGN

Some aspect of art and design is incorporated into all of the other subjects taught at Silver Mount as well as being taught as a subject in its own right on a regular basis. We believe

• Children should be allowed and encouraged to freely express their ideas and feelings visually
• That they should be encouraged to experience enjoyment and satisfaction

We aim

• To develop the skills to enable them to do this with increasing confidence and competence
• To enable the children to begin to appreciate and derive pleasure from the work of others
• To encourage an appreciation of different art forms including those of different cultures, countries and styles