We aim to help children to become independent, active and creative learners. We want them to acquire a wide range of relevant skills, attitudes, knowledge and understanding within the context of the Foundation Stage and National Curriculums.

Through very careful whole school structured planning we ensure all children receive the broad and balanced curriculum to which they are entitled. Each term the children's learning is planned around a topic or theme. We believe that this makes learning more interesting and stimulating for the children and enables us to make links between different areas of the curriculum.

Children are involved in their own learning by contributing their ideas to each topic. What they would like to learn is discussed with the class teacher and incorporated into the teaching plans for the term. Time is set aside within the curriculum for children to initiate and carry out activities which they have chosen to explore.

A wide range of teaching strategies and styles are used including whole class teaching, collaborative group work and individual activities. The needs of the children are reflected in all aspects of school life.

Term	Reception	Year 1	Year 2
Autumn Term 1	Ourselves	Our School	Fit for Anything
Autumn Term 2	Colour	Light and Dark	Pantomime
Spring Term 3	Toys	Out of my Window (The local environment)	Katie Morag Stories
Spring Term 4	The Three Little Pigs
Summer Term 5	Food	Jack and the Beanstalk	At the Seaside
Summer Term 6	Gardens	Minibeasts

Theme Weeks
During the each school year we usually plan two themed weeks which allow us to explore one or more subjects or a cross curricular theme in more depth and organise a whole range of exciting enrichment activities.

We believe that these are an important feature of the curriculum we offer and part of the unique character of our school.

In the past few years these theme weeks have included a Storytelling Week, Wonderful Woodland Week Health Week and World Cup Awareness Week.

During each of these weeks we organise a varied programme of events and often invite visitors into school to share their expertise. Recently the children have had the chance to engage with an African Drumming group, musicians and dancers from India and South America , a puppeteer, storytellers, poets and an artist in residence. They have had the chance to try circus skills and sculpture, listen to a variety of live music and meet wildlife experts and the animals too !

Children and adults look forward to these weeks, learn so much together and many special memories are created.

Story Teller, Cassandra Wye working with children during Story Telling Week

A trip to Westonbirt Arboretum at the start of 'Wonderful Woodland Week'.

Thinking Skills across the Curriculum
At Oldfield Park Infants' School we encourage children to develop problem solving and thinking skills across the whole curriculum. We also want children to develop a love of learning that will last throughout their lives .

We use a process called TASC which stands for Thinking Actively in a Social Context

Thinking	All children can think
	They can learn to improve their thinking
	Being a better thinker helps you to be a better learner
Actively	Children learn best when they are interested
	They need 'hands on' experiences
	They need to feel involved
Social	Children need to learn to work with others
	We want to encourage sharing, co-operation and interaction
Context	Children learn best through relevant real life activities
	We need to start with what they already know and extend their learning

Through using the TASC wheel the children talk about what they already know about a subject, think up ideas about how to explore the subject further, implement their ideas and tell others about what they have done in lots of different ways.

We encourage the children to use TASC across all subjects and it is an important part of the way we teach.

Assessment of Progress
Each child's progress is closely monitored and assessed regularly in a systematic way, to ensure each individual's progression. We set targets for children to work towards in literacy and numeracy, helping them to identify what it is they need to do next to improve their work. We inform you of your child's targets and provide ideas about how you can support your child at home.

Individual records of a child's attainment are to be found in each child's profile, which is available to parents on request. Our End of Key Stage 1 results for 2005 are included later in this prospectus and compare very avourably with the National Average for all schools. A significant number of children achieve beyond the expected level for the end of Key Stage 1.

Arrangements for Parental Consultations
We offer several opportunities for parental consultations throughout the year in order to keep parents well informed about their child's progress and needs.

• November : a chance to meet with the class teacher towards the end of the first term of the new school year. Individual appointments are offered.
  
• March : an open morning when your child can show you what he / she has been learning.
  
• May : an individual appointment with the class teacher.
  
• July : Annual Reports.
  

Parents may always seek further appointments with the class teacher to discuss particular concerns.

If there is a serious problem that needs to be discussed more fully please make an appointment to speak to Mrs Claridge, the headteacher.

Parental Partnership
We believe in the importance of positive relationships between home and school. We work hard to ensure that we know as much as possible about each child's strengths and needs so that we can support their individual development.

Newsletters
The school provides regular information to parents through our fortnightly newsletters. These are usually sent home on a Friday. Please take time to read these and make note of dates and events.

Homework
At Oldfield Park Infants' School we value the close partnership we have with parents and we believe that "homework" is just one of the ways parents can support their child's learning.

It can reinforce skills that children are currently learning in school; particularly in Numeracy and Literacy. It should be a relaxed and positive experience for parent and child.

Home activities may support :

• Literacy skills : this may include sharing books and hearing children read; learning key words and spellings; word games and language activities.
  
• Reading each evening is recommended for all children and they are encouraged to bring home books at both their reading level and for interest.
  
• Numeracy skills : this may include maths activities and games.
  
• Topic work : each term we send home a leaflet outlining the topic being covered in class and ways in which you can support your child at home. For children in Years 1 and 2 there is a suggestion for a short project that you might like to carry out as a family and share in school.

Details of typical home activities for each class will be outlined at the "tea parties" held in September. Homework activities should take place for approximately one hour per week.

Topic leaflets
Each term you will receive a leaflet outlining the topic plans for the term so you know what your child will be learning about in school. The leaflet includes suggestions for
Activities that you might like to carry out as a family. In Years 1 and 2 you are invited to help your child with a topic based project.

Home School Agreeement
We have a home school agreement required by law which outlines how home and school work together for the benefit of pupils.

Working Groups
We have several active working groups where staff and parents work together on particular projects or to review the school's policies.
Currently these include the School Travel Group and an Anti Bullying group who have been updating our policy and producing information to help children and their parents.

Family Learning
Story Sacks and Curiosity Kits

Over the past two years parents and teachers have been working together to create Story
Sacks and Curiosity Kits to encourage the children's love of books and reading.
Story Sacks contain activities based around a favourite story whilst Curiosity Kits contain
non fiction books and activities. The children borrow these on a rota basis.

Keeping Up With the Children
The family learning service has run three very successful 'Keeping Up With the Children' involving about 35 parents. The course aims to increase parents' knowledge and confidence about how we work in school, in particular during the literacy and numeracy hours, so that they can continue to help their children at home. The course is run by a tutor from B&NES with contributions from our own staff as appropriate. Participants also have the chance to shape the course to suit their own interests.

We are hoping to run this course again in 06/07 for Reception parents in particular.

The course runs for seven weeks (1 taster session plus six sessions of two hours each) and at the same time a free crèche usually runs for anyone who needs childcare in order to attend.

Family Literacy Courses
Several parents who have completed 'Keeping Up With the Children' have now
followed this up with a Family Literacy course. During this course parents worked with their children on a variety of activities and received tuition.

We hope to be able to continue this pattern of community education.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum
In their Reception Year the children follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum. This is a continuation of the teaching and learning they will have experienced in a pre-school setting such as a nursery or playgroup.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into the following six areas of learning :-

• Personal , Social and Emotional Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
  
• Mathematical Development
  
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
  
• Physical Development
  
• Creative Development

The Foundation Stage Profile
Throughout the year our observations of your child are kept in an individual 'Learning Journey' file which details your child's achievements in each of the six areas of learning. Examples of your child's learning including photos build into a child centred and highly individual record. This is also known as the Foundation Stage Profile and will be reported on and shared with you during the summer term.

Our topic based schemes of work provide a range of well planned activities through which children can investigate the world around them within a safe, stimulating environment. The curriculum offers a breadth of first hand experiences - of a directed and child initiated nature - which will encourage independent learning. It also provides the opportunity to experiment, investigate and above all develop oral language skills.

We aim to :-

• provide high quality and relevant early learning experiences.
  
• enable each child to reach his / her potential in each of the six areas of learning.
  
• acknowledge that play and the child's own motivation are essential to the learning process.
  
• encourage a positive partnership between parents and school at this early stage.

The National Curriculum in Years 1 and 2

English
Literacy skills are taught daily often during a Literacy Hour and through our regular Writing Workshops.

The important skills of speaking and listening are encouraged in individual, small groups and class situations. We encourage children to express themselves clearly, to listen carefully and to respond to others appropriately. Story telling is something we particularly encourage and enjoy as a school.

We believe that reading should be an enjoyable experience and that children are motivated to become independent readers by having the opportunity to share a wide range of high quality fiction and non fiction texts. We use a structured system to teach children to read based on a core scheme, the Oxford Reading Tree together with the systematic development of phonic skills. We aim for Children to become active, responsive readers - reading for pleasure and to find information and we are proud of our success in this key area of learning. This year 62% of Year 2 have achieved beyond the expected level.

To create successful, confident writers we ensure that writing is seen as important, relevant and pleasurable. The children write for a variety of purposes producing stories, poems, lists, instructions, reports etc. The children discuss, draft and improve their work, often publishing and presenting it to others.

To ensure confidence and fluency it is necessary to teach both handwriting and spelling. Our aim is that children are able to form their letters correctly and develop a fluent handwriting style. Children are usually taught joined handwriting in Year 2. Children's success in writing is supported by learning to spelling a range of commonly used words and to know important spelling patterns used in English. All teaching staff have completed an accredited course in teaching the THRASS system of synthetic phonics which links the skills of handwriting, reading and spelling.

Mathematics
We aim to encourage our children to have a positive attitude towards their learning in mathematics, enjoying the fun and mental challenge it brings.

At Oldfield Park Infants Mathematics is a daily activity where mental arithmetic is followed by whole class work on a particular aspect of mathematics. Work in groups with differentiated activities is then provided followed by a plenary session to review the learning that has taken place.

Problem solving and investigation work play an integral role in developing knowledge and understanding, encouraging independence and allowing challenges to be set.

We follow the Collins Maths Scheme as a core resource which supports the framework of the National Numeracy Strategy. Children achieve well in this area with over 50% of children achieving above average results at the end of Year 2.

Science
In science the children enjoy a range of practical activities that encourage them to to explore, investigate and discover the world around them, both natural and man-made.

Units of science work fit into our topic based scheme. These are designed to provide balance and progression throughout the three infant years.

The children gain knowledge with an understanding of scientific ideas, all the time developing the positive attitudes of curiosity, co-operation, perseverance and a respect for evidence. They develop skills such as observation, raising questions and evaluating and are encouraged to record and explain what they have discovered.

Art And Design
Art and Design is given an important place in our curriculum. We encourage children to express their creativity and give them the opportunity to use a wide variety of materials to create pictures and models. The children learn to look closely at the world around them and gain a deeper understanding of colour, form and texture. They become confident in using a variety of techniques and take a pride in the school environment which they have helped to create through the display of their work. They learn about artists and their work and they begin to appreciate the art of different cultures.

Music
The elements of music - rhythm, pitch, dynamics and timbre are experienced and incorporated into music making. The children are taught to appreciate varying styles in music and enjoy learning songs reflecting many cultures. They are given opportunities to make music as individuals or within groups of varying sizes.

Physical Education
Each child is offered the opportunity to be involved in a wide range of physical activities. This includes regular teaching to develop skills in games, gymnastics and dance. These activities develop the children's confidence, their spatial awareness, and their co-ordination as well as giving them important opportunities for healthy exercise. Each class also takes part in daily ten minute physical breaks and a range of apparatus is available for use at lunchtimes. In addition after school sports clubs are organised where children can continue to develop their interest in sport and healthy exercise.

Information and Communication Technology (I.C.T.)
Our new I.C.T. suite opened in September 2004 and has enabled us to further develop learning in this important and exciting area . The suite will has fifteen computers enabling a whole class to be taught I.C.T. skills through a structured programme. The children regularly use computers to support learning in literacy and numeracy. They also use computers to explore and support other areas of the curriculum and access the internet.

Each class is also equipped with two further computers which are networked to the suite so that children an continue to develop their work.

By September 2005 we anticipate that each Year 1 and Year 2 classroom will be equipped with an interactive whiteboard to further enhance the children's learning.Children have access to tape-recorders, listening centres, and other technical equipment, including programmable robots, scanners and a digital camera.

Design And Technology (D.T.)
Design and Technology draws together several other areas including Art, Craft, Food activities, computer work and the use of construction kits. It also links very closely with science and mathematics. It is concerned with generating ideas, making models and evaluating the results. The children are introduced to this design process through tasks linked to the school's D.T. Scheme of Work, and are encouraged to solve simple problems for themselves.

History and Geography
Children have their own special understanding of the world in which they live. Using this as a starting point we aim to develop a broader awareness and knowledge. We often use family or local history as a starting point to explore daily life in the past. We are lucky to have a rich local environment especially the school itself. We have many photographs of the school to illustrate its history together with old logbooks and artefacts.

We believe that the children need to develop an understanding of their place within both their local community and the wider world. Therefore we include studies of other countries and cultures.

We aim to help children understand that they too can have an impact upon the local and global environment and to develop a sense of responsibility for the world in which they live.

Personal, Social And Health Education and Citizenship
We help children to learn about themselves as developing individuals and as members of their community. Children are encouraged to develop the personal skills they need to be successful in school, at home and to cope in a variety of different situations.

We teach Personal, Social and Health Education and Citizenship as part of our topic work. Each class has regular 'circle times' for discussion and sharing of ideas.

Our teaching includes :

• talking about and considering relevant moral and social issues, for example, showing understanding of right and wrong
  
• explaining their ideas and views and listening to others with respect
  
• playing and working co-operatively, sharing responsibility
  
• understanding how to make choices that improve personal safety and well being
  
• developing good relationships and respecting differences between people

Religious Education and Collective Worship
Religious Education is broad based in line with national guidelines and the locally agreed syllabus. Our aim is for children to develop a spiritual awareness through listening, discussion, music, art, drama and dance. They are told Bible stories and participate in Christian celebrations. Alongside this they learn about the traditions and festivals of other faiths.

There is an act of collective worship each day. These include whole school or part school assemblies where the children explore spirituality through song, stories, music, reflection and prayers.

Each Friday we celebrate the many and diverse achievements of a busy week in school during our sharing assembly.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Education and Collective Worship. Please contact the Headteacher if you wish to discuss this matter.

Extra Curricular Activities
We are constantly seeking to enrich the experiences of the children at Oldfield Park Infants' School.

Our themed weeks with their variety of activities including opportunities to engage with visiting experts and visit places of interest are part of this enrichment.

During the year the children also make other educational visits to places of interest that support their ongoing topic work including making use of the local environment. For example children have recently visited Victoria Park, Ascension Church and the shops in Moorlands Road as well as travelling further a field to Weston Super Mare, Willsbridge Mill and Westonbirt Arboretum.

We offer a range of After School Clubs using outside providers and try to include something for each age group during the year. There is sometimes an additional charge for these activities.

We offer a range of after school clubs to all Year 2 children in the Summer Term. In previous years these have included Dance, Gardening, French, Art, Music, Football and Board Games.