The foundation stage
Children who enter our nursery and reception classes follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum.
This is divided into 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.
Our Nursery and Reception classes are very well resourced and there is access to an all weather outdoor play area. Specialist staff provide a stimulating, safe and enjoyable environment for our youngest children to begin their learning journey.
Key stages 1 and 2
From year 1, children are taught the National Curriculum, which includes:
The core subjects: English, mathematics, information and communication technology (ICT) and Personal Development.
And the foundation subjects: art, design & technology, geography, history, music, and physical education.
Pupils are also taught religious education, and French from years 3.
Children also have opportunities to learn some British Sign Language to aid communication with their deaf peers.
At Roding, subjects are mainly taught separately, although links are made across the curriculum, whenever possible, in order to reinforce knowledge and understanding.
Children are taught in their own mixed ability class for all subjects except mathematics, where in some year groups, they may be set in ability groups across the year group and taught by another teacher. Regular monitoring of progress takes place in all groups and children may be moved to a different set during the year, if it is felt to be appropriate.
Teachers work together to plan lessons for the children within each year group and to arrange visits to places of interest which support the learning.
The teaching is aimed at building on each child’s knowledge, experience and abilities, and continuous assessment of understanding takes place to ensure work is being pitched appropriately. Individual targets for improvement in English and mathematics are also set for each child.
Most lessons begin with whole class teaching sessions, followed by activity periods where the children undertake tasks on an individual or group basis.
Most lessons in the core subjects end with a whole class plenary session to discuss what has been learned.
Information and communication technology (ICT) lessons, which involve computers, are the exception to this. Every class has an Interactive White Board, which teachers and pupils use in many different ways to make learning fun as well as challenging. All classes have some individual computers, which pupils use to support their learning in different subject lessons. The school also has a state-of-the art computer suite, which allows pupils to progress in their ICT capability at their own level.
Swimming is also a part of the National Curriculum and pupils are given swimming lessons during key stage 2. Attendance at these lessons is compulsory and details of arrangements will be sent out during the term before lessons begin.
The school follows government guidelines for developing pupils’ personal and social skills. Opportunities for pupils to take on responsibilities and to undertake citizenship roles are built into the curriculum.
Pupils are taught for 21.5 hours per week in Key Stage 1 (Reception – Year 2).
Pupils are taught for 23.5 hours per week in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6).
Standard Assessment Tests (SATS)
When pupils are seven, at the end of year 2, they are assessed in English, mathematics and science and parents are told the level their child has achieved.
When pupils are eleven at the end of year 6, they take the national Key Stage Two tests in English and Mathematics.
Parents of pupils taking the tests are always sent further information.
Sport
At Roding we aim to promote an active, healthy lifestyle which will, in turn, encourage children to develop a positive attitude towards making regular exercise a part of their everyday life.
All Physical Education (P.E.) is timetabled and each class has two periods of P.E a week.
A wide range of extra curricular sports activities is offered. School staff, as well as specialist coaches, help to lead these clubs. Sports on offer vary each season but include football, rugby, tennis, rounders, cricket, sailing, hockey, gym and athletics.
Music
Music is a taught subject for every class but we also work with the Redbridge Music Service to provide instrumental lessons for pupils from year 2 upwards who wish to learn. All pupils are able to apply for these lessons and selection is based on musical potential.
Recorder lessons are given to all year 3 pupils and some classes receive instrument lessons as part of the Governments "Wider Opportunities" initiative.
The school choir meets regularly and takes part in the Redbridge Choral Festival at the Royal Albert Hall every other year.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
As a community school, Roding has no affiliation with any religious denomination and the teaching of Religious Education follows the Redbridge agreed syllabus. This gives a balanced study of the faiths of the world and stresses the values of tolerance and caring for others.
In order to comply with the law, an act of collective worship takes place in school every day, usually as part of assembly. These are on a class, year group or whole school basis and follow a termly theme.
If parents wish, they may write to the Headteacher to request their child does not participate in all or part of the religious education and collective worship provided.
Sex education
Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is included as part of the science curriculum at Roding, and is taught as a topic entitled "Growth and Development". Parents/carers are always informed when sex education will take place and are invited to the school to view the materials used to support the teaching.
A copy of the school SRE policy, which has been agreed by governors, is available to read. If parents wish to withdraw their child from sex education lessons, they should write with this request to the Headteacher.
