Literacy

We acknowledge and value the role of parents and carers in nurturing their child's language skills before starting school and continuing through their time in school. Our Talk Partner work throughout the school is an opportunity for children to listen to one another, respond, rehearse and discuss strategies and methods. We develop and extend the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening through a variety of approaches. Children are encouraged to become independent readers. Pupils follow a carefully balanced programme of guided reading from books of graded difficulty. Every class has a daily dedicated reading session. Children take home a range of books to share with parents. We aim to make children competent and confident writers, able to write their own fiction, poetry and non-fiction texts. The teaching of spelling and handwriting are key to the skills necessary to develop fluent, confident writing. We use many 'Talk for Writing' techniques, valuing the importance of being able to 'talk it' before children 'write it'. We immerse the children in core texts, 'magpie' ideas, capture our own at word and sentence level, then progress onto independent writing. We fully believe in the principles of imitate, innovate and invent within our teaching and learning sequences.

Numeracy

We aim to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. By using rich mathematical activities and challenges, we aim to develop children's subject knowledge, problem-solving and thinking skills. We aim to produce agile mathematicians who are flexible in their approach and not stifled by reliance on one rigid method.

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT is an exciting, changing subject, which embraces all aspects of our curriculum. We aim to give our children a wide range of experiences, working with a variety of software and hardware in order to bring other areas of the curriculum to life. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards which have a great impact on the teaching and learning.

Science

We aim to help children develop to:

• Master basic scientific ideas;
• Investigate solutions and interpret evidence, to analyse and solve problems;
• To investigate physical forces and ways in which they can be controlled; and
• Develop a natural curiosity about cause and effect of phenomena around them.

Formal Sex and Relationships education (SRE) is delivered to Years 5 and 6. The biological aspects of sex education form the core with a significant emphasis placed on the importance of family, love and relationships. Parents are fully informed on the programme before the children embark on this course of study and are given the opportunity to discuss any queries with the class teacher. Parents do have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the SRE programme.

Modern Foreign Languages

Every child in Key Stage 2 has the opportunity to study French and develop their interest and insight into the culture of other nations. We believe that through learning a foreign language, children will develop communication and literacy skills that will prepare children for future language learning. Children will develop linguistic competence, extend their knowledge of how language works and explore the difference and similarities between languages. Teaching and learning in French is based on the principle of 'present, practise, perform' and aims to be fun and enjoyable.

Music

Exminster Community Primary School values music as a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way pupils feel, think and act. It brings together intellect and feelings and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, it helps pupils understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between home, school and the wider world. The teaching of music develops pupils' ability to listen and appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgments about musical quality.

It encourages active involvement in different forms of amateur music making, both individual and communal, developing a sense of group identity and togetherness. It also increases self-discipline and creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfillment. With this in mind, we recognise the importance of providing stimulating opportunities for the children to experience, explore and create music throughout their education at Exminster.

There are many extra-curricular music clubs and instrumental lessons available for the children to take up. Current clubs include; Key Stage 1 Choir, Key Stage 2 Choir, Handbell Choir, Samba Band, Rock Band, Recorder Club and Ukulele Club.

Instrumental lessons can be arranged on virtually any instrument. Currently we have Cornet, Baritone, French Horn, Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, Keyboard/Piano, Violin, Guitar and Drum lessons taking place in school.

Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship

PSHE and Citizenship helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens.

We encourage pupils to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the school life and community. In doing so children learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning. They reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We believe that the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) are key lifelong skills.

Our programme is enriched by outside visitors, assemblies and termly 'Rainbow Days'.

"Really fun, relaxed, children smiling, thinking and reflecting." -Teacher

"Our class have worked really well and bonded together."  -Callum, Pupil

"There's lots of different activities and there's a theme to it."  -Zoe, Pupil

"There's a chance to meet new people."  -Emma, Pupil

"It's like a mix and match. You mix with different classes and match with someone you haven't played with before."  -Lucy, Pupil.

Design and Technology

Children are taught to understand effective design; how things work and how tools and equipment are used. Using progressive skills, they build on their knowledge to design, make and evaluate projects themselves.

Art and Design

Our aim in Art and Design is to encourage children to develop their ideas and enjoyment through a wide variety of media. They have opportunities to develop their skills to the best of their abilities through work in class and extra-curricular clubs. Their work is celebrated through whole class display, 3-D sculptures and within topic books and folders.

Religious Education

Within Religious Education we have a balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral and cultural development of our pupils and prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. We aim to improve children's knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions. Children are encouraged to explore, question and reflect upon the issues that arise whilst learning in order to enhance their understanding and enjoyment. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from some or all of our Religious Education programme.

History

We aim for children to appreciate that modern day events, societies and cultures are linked to the past and relate to the lives of everyday people. By encouraging independent thinking and an enquiring mind, we hope to promote a sense of understanding, identity and valuing of the past. We use the Exeter museum service that brings history into schools. We have been visited by the Romans, the Egyptians and experienced the Exeter Blitz! We regularly hold History days which have focussed on the Victorians and Famous People. We also organise visits outside school to bring history to life.

Geography

We aim to provide the children with opportunities to study the physical and human features of their immediate environment and of the wider world. The children are involved in learning about places and themes from local, national and international areas. They learn a range of geographical skills including making and using maps and using photographic evidence.

Physical Education

We recognise how healthy eating and a healthy body can contribute to effective learning. We start each day with a 'Wake Up Shake Up' and all classes do two hours of PE per week. We are part of the South Dartmoor School Sports partnership who organise various sporting events during the year. The school runs sporting teams which play matches against other local schools and we have an annual whole school sports day. A number of children also take part in the Learning Community Sports Day. Years 2 and 4 attend swimming lessons over the course of half a term during the year.

Clubs

A large number of our clubs and activities are run free of charge by our teachers. Clubs vary depending on demand and the season but can include:

"The clubs are a good chance to do something new." -Year 4 pupil "There are many different activities to do at lunchtime and after school." -Year 5 pupil

Outside school

We enjoy exciting activities during our residential trip in Year 6 such as abseiling, archery, raft building, climbing, problem-solving and canoeing. We also enjoy educational visits in all year groups. Recent adventurous have included exploring coastal walks, forest walks, visiting interactive museums, exploring the Eden Project, visiting the local fire station, living life as a Tudor for a day and many more.
Children enjoy performing for live audiences. Our choir has recently performed to an audience of 1000 at the English Riviera Centre, they have performed at Exeter Cathedral and are performing at the Royal Albert Hall in November. Every year our eldest children sing to elderly at the local day care centre. Our children with statements of special needs visit the Donkey Sanctuary every 2 weeks and enjoy riding the donkeys.

Inside school

Theatre groups, authors or poets often visit our school to bring Literacy alive. The whole school can be involved in writing and performing poetry, talking to actors and watching productions.

Within our recent redesign of our creative curriculum we are committed to providing memorable experiences and enrichment activities for the children. This allows the children to 'live' their topic.

Every year, there are many opportunities for children to ride their bikes to school. Activities include gaining their cycling proficiency badges, a biking club, performing a biking display at fetes, attending bikers breakfast.

We all love Rainbow Days because these are days where we are not in our usual classes and get to work with children of all ages. We do many creative activities and have a whole-school themes such as Book Week, Poetry Week, Problem Solving Week, Divali Day, History Week, Art Week.

We have a well established School Council. Two representatives per class are elected and attend meetings every two weeks. They discuss any whole school issues, raise issues highlighted by their peers, manage a budget and elect the charities to support and how to raise funds. They have also been involved with activities such as the learning walk to West Exe school for children with little or no sight, supporting the Tour of Britain cycling race, liaising with the chair of governors, discussing issues with the chair of the local parish council and drinking Mr. Foale's beatle juice!

We have established links with Birqa Jato school in Nkemte, Ethiopia. We are involved in projects such as sending out a story sack for the children to enjoy, writing stories and sending information about our school. Children are very excited to receive parcels from Ethiopia and look at the photographs of their school and surroundings. It highlights similarities and differences between the two schools and children's lives in different parts of the world.

School and Home

Our school has an inclusive attitude to learning. This includes the parents. We believe in letting parents and carers know what and how we are learning. We encourage two-way dialogue between school and home and support this through Parents' Evenings, workshop meetings, curriculum information, Reading Records and invitations to our class assemblies. We also believe that home learning can help reinforce what we learn at school. All our children get home learning, but our teachers are careful to make sure that it is kept to an appropriate level.

Most importantly though, is our annual Parents verses Staff & Governors annual sporting event!