Please click on a subject for further information.
Mathematics Literacy Science Geography History ICT Music Art PE RE and PSHCE Drama Spanish
GeneralThroughout the Preparatory Department, we use the New Heinemann Maths scheme as a basic resource and enrich it with the better parts from other schemes and text books. The department has a Maths coordinator who oversees the delivery of this subject.Key Stage 1
In KS1, the Heinemann Maths Scheme is followed, supplemented by a variety of additional sources to challenge and extend all aspects of the subject. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time, measurements, shapes and numbers are all studied, and link some of our work to other subjects, such as geography, science and art. The scheme is supplemented by teacher prepared worksheets.
The class teacher has a full time, fully qualified NNEB (nursery nurse) attached to the class, enabling maximum support for pupils where and when needed. The pupils' progress is continually assessed, plus NFER progress tests are done by every child at the end of each academic year to support the teachers' assessments and provide diagnostic evidence.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, we have fully qualified support teachers who take small groups of about 7/8 pupils out for either reinforcement or extension work. Pupils have at least 5 hours of Maths a week. The pupils' progress is continually assessed by the teachers, plus, as in KS1, NFER progress tests are done by every child at the end of each academic year to support the teachers' assessments and provide diagnostic evidence.
General
Literacy is broken up into reading/comprehension, writing, spelling and grammar. Using different schemes gives us the freedom to choose the best for the class/group/individual. Pupils have at least 5 hours of Literacy a week. The department has a Literacy coordinator who oversees the delivery of this subject.Key Stage 1
Literacy is divided into grammar and punctuation, spelling and phonics, comprehension, creative writing, handwriting and speaking and listening. We maintain a strong interest in developing reading at this stage of the curriculum and provide a thorough and extensive reading scheme.
The class teacher has a full time, fully qualified NNEB (nursery nurse) attached to the class, enabling maximum support for pupils where and when needed. The pupils' progress is continually assessed, plus NFER progress tests are done by every child at the end of each academic year to support the teachers' assessments and provide diagnostic evidence.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, we have fully qualified support teachers who take small groups of about 7/8 pupils out for either reinforcement or extension work. Pupils have at least 5 hours of Literacy a week, broken down into the key headings. The pupils' progress is continually assessed by the teacher, plus NFER progress tests are done by every child at the end of each academic year to support the teachers' assessments and provide diagnostic evidence for future teaching and learning.
Key Stages 1 and 2
The Science scheme is a 2 year rolling programme covering Preps I to VI. It ensures the pupils visit the same topics every other year, but at the appropriate level. For example, the Solar System is covered at avery basic level in Prep II, in more depth in Prep IV, and in both greater depth and breadth in Prep VI. The scheme has been written by our specialist Science teacher and coordinator, who delivers Science to both Preps V and VI. All pupils from Preps I to VI have 1-2 hours of Science a week.
Key Stages 1 and 2
Geography is all topic based and is either taught weekly or blocked/rotated with another subject. In KS1, it is often cross-curricular and relevant trips are organised whenever possible. The same applies in KS2; for example, the immediate locality is studied in Prep IV and a walking trip around our historic village of Worsley is organised for the class.
Key Stages 1 and 2
Each class has its own areas of focus and is also taught weekly or blocked/rotated with another subject. The department has a Historycoordinator who oversees the delivery of this subject. In Prep V, the Victorians are studied, and this is followed by 'Britain since the 1930s' in Prep VI. Wherever possible, relevant trips are organised; for example, the pupils in Prep VI visit the Stockport Air Raid Shelters and Museum as part of their topic.
Key Stages 1 and 2
Each class is allocated a session in the Prep Department’s own ICT Suite, although sessions are also available in one of the numerous ICT rooms. Classes are split into two to give a better pupil/teacher ratio, resulting in rotation with another subject.
Key Stages 1 and 2
All classes receive a 45 minute lesson each week with a specialist music teacher in the richly stocked and resourced Prep Music Suite. Instrumental music lessons are also available during the break and lunch sessions. There are many extra-curricular opportunities in music for all pupils from Prep III up.
Key Stages 1 and 2
Many classes’ art lessons are timetabled with 2 members of staff in order to give each pupil more teacher contact and support. The department’s art coordinator not only ensures all children receive a breadth of knowledge of a range of artists and art styles, but also ensures the department is fully resourced.
Key Stage 1
Classes receive two 45 minute PE/Games lesson each week,which is taught by the department's PE specialist and coordinator. Children wear the department's PE kit for these lessons.
Key Stage 2
All classes receive their own 45 minute indoor PE lessoneach week as well as a 75 minute games session. Prep III and IV are taught games together, as are Preps V and VI. These lessons are taught by 3 members of the PE Department, with at least one of each gender, and including the department’s own PE specialist/coordinator.
Key Stages 1 and 2
As is the nature of a primary school environment, some form of PSHCE naturally occurs every day. RE and PSHCE can overlap, but are also taught separately.
The department has its own coordinator to oversee these subjects but, on the whole, they are taught by the class teachers.
Key Stages 1 and 2
All classes are timetabled for a 30-45 minute drama lesson each week. The lesson takes place either in the large school hall or in the school new, state of the art Dance and Drama Studio. In KS1, the pupils are taught by the class teacher. In KS2, classes are taught by the department’s coordinator, who is a Drama specialist.
We recognise that drama stimulates and excites pupils. It provides an outlet for self-expression and helps the development of imagination and artistic awareness; it increases both social and mental awareness, fluency of speech, self-knowledge, self-respect, self-discipline and self-confidence. It improves thinking skills and the ability to organise.
Productions, usually of a musical nature, take place atChristmas, Easter and at the end of the school year. Recent productions haveincluded, “Scrooge”, “The Enormous Crocodile”, Stars in their Eyes”, “The Snow Queen”, “The Piper” and our own, fast paced version of “Footloose”.
Included in the curriculum for each key stage is an annual theatre experience to a local venue. In addition, outside performers and companies are arranged to come in to perform or provide workshops.
Preps V and VI combine this with their Literacy topics, by regularly going to Salford’s prestigious Lowry Theatre to enjoy the “Shakespeare 4 Kidz” productions of literary classics, the most recent being “The Tempest”.
Key Stage 2 (Upper)
Spanish is currently taught to Prep VI in a 45 minute lesson each week. It is delivered by a specialist teacher from the Senior’s MFL Department. We are planning to develop a whole school approach in the near future.