English CurriculumReading Adventure!

Our aim is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. We believe that the skills in English: reading, writing and speaking and listening; provide the foundations for pupils' achievement throughout the whole curriculum and all other areas of learning for now and the future.

At The Michael Syddall CofE School we deliver the National Curriculum for English through a text based approach, engaging children in stimulating books through which they can apply all of their skills, write for a purpose and where the characters become a part of the class!  

Oxford Owl WebsiteChildren develop their reading and comprehension skills through regular Guided Reading and by our home reading scheme; Oxford Reading Tree. When writing, we encourage neat presentation and correct letter formation with children being taught to use a cursive style of joined up writing when they are ready.

The Oxford Owl website has some helpful hints and tips for reading at home as well as free access to 250 ebooks. Click the image to the left to go to their site.

Phonics teachingLetter and Sounds

We use Letters and Sounds as a guide to teaching phonics in our school. The learning of phonics and associated strategies are set out and we aim to teach them in a way which children find fun and engaging, giving them the skills to remember and apply what they have learnt when reading and writing.

Maths Curriculum

Maths is all around us in our daily lives such as calculating the shopping bill, shape, measurement and pattern, data presented in charts and graphs and of course, solving problems. Therefore it is essentially at the core of every child’s education. Mathematical development depends  on becoming confident and competent in learning and using key skills.

At The Michael Syddall C of E School we teach Maths as a discrete subject daily from Y1 to Y6 in accordance with the National Curriculum. Teachers assess children's starting points for each topic of maths before it is taught to ensure children learn the things that they need to in order to progress. We have a comprehensive calculation policy which outlines the stages children go through and will be taught when learning how to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Click here for our calculation policy

Click the picture to the right for our calculation policy.

In Foundation Stage 2, maths is incorporated within the child’s day according to the Early Years Outcomes and Mathematical Development guidelines which includes number, shape/space and measures.  In addition, wherever possible Maths is brought into other curriculum areas and can be  addressed in most subjects in some way e.g. position and direction in P.E.; data handling in Literacy, Science, Geography; shape and pattern in Art; timelines in History; finance in social and global issues.

Science

Through our exciting lessons, we encourage an exploratory yet systematic and scientific approach to learning where children develop useful knowledge, skills and attitudes about our world.

At The Michael Syddall C of E  School,  ‘Working scientifically’ is embedded within the lessons and not taught as a separate strand, so pupils can learn to use a variety of approaches to answer questions. Types of scientific enquiry include: observing over time, pattern seeking, identifying, classifying and grouping; comparative and fair testing (controlled investigations) and researching using secondary sources. Within the science lessons to answer questions, pupils are encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge to their understanding of science including collecting, presenting and analysing data.

Computing

Information and Communication Technology is concerned with teaching our children the communication skills that will support them in the future.  We have a dedicated ICT Suite as well as 64 learnpads which are used across the school in classrooms.

Computing

All our classrooms have interactive whiteboards. Our children follow a discreet ICT skills programme which allows them to develop the skills required to become confident with the Computing National Curriculum. The children also have the opportunity for a second lesson in the ICT Suite enabling them to apply their skills in other areas of the curriculum such as geography and history.

Religious Education

In a diverse, multi-cultural and ever-changing world, it is vital we enable our pupils to hold balanced and informed conversations about religion and belief.  At Michael Syddall we have 3 principal aims for the teaching and learning of RE. We want to educate, encourage and nurture our pupils to: 

• Become knowledgeable about world faiths and views 
• Develop their own religious views and opinions 
• Be respectful and tolerant citizens 

At Michael Syddall, Religious Education is highly valued as a core curriculum subject.  The work is planned in accordance with the Religious Education Syllabus for the diocese of Leeds and York. Our study of Christianity is supported by the Understanding Christianity resource. In order to develop a balanced awareness of global perspective, elements of other major faiths are introduced and explored, as are secular and non-religious worldviews.