THE CURRICULUM 

 

 

The school curriculum follows the 5-14 guidelines in different curricular areas and is implementing the new outcomes and experiences detailed in the Curriculum for Excellence. Copies of individual school policies can be requested at the school office.

 

Language

 

Language skills are developed through talking, listening, reading and writing. Skills in listening and talking are fostered through class and group discussions, detailed exercises, games, drama and in other areas of the curriculum. Children will give talks to classmates and will practice giving and following oral instructions. Self and peer assessment will be encouraged. Participation in school assemblies and concerts helps to build confidence and develop presentation skills. There will be opportunities for older pupils to develop skills in questioning, reasoning and debating.

 

 

In Primary 1 and 2, children are taught sounds through our phonics programme. This programme also includes the teaching of common words. Children learn to read using the Oxford Reading Tree scheme, supplemented with library books and materials from other reading schemes. The new outcomes and experiences for literacy from the Curriculum for Excellence will also be embedded in the literacy programme for Victoria Primary. Children progress onto studying a variety of group novels, poems, play scripts and non-fiction. We encourage our children to be independent readers, enjoying a great variety of texts and developing an appreciation of the writer’s craft.

 

Early writing develops through the early literacy programme.  Older children will be taught to write using different genres, perhaps linking themes to topic work and giving children real contexts for writing. They will write stories, poems, letters, reports, leaflets, posters and articles. Peer and self assessment will be encouraged, and children will be provided with quality feedback on how they can improve.  The necessary skills of spelling, punctuation, language structure and handwriting will be taught at a level appropriate to the children’s needs and understanding.

 

 

MATHEMATICS

 

 

In Primary 1 and 2 the children are taught using the City of Edinburgh Council Total Numeracy scheme. This involves lots of practical tasks as well as recording. During P2, the children move onto the City of Edinburgh Council’s maths planners. These are a scheme of work for pupils from Level A to Level E. Using these planners, teachers will develop the children’s understanding of and skills in handling addition,

 

 

subtraction, multiplication and dividing; money; information handling; shape, position and movement; time; measurement; and problem solving. Teachers will also endeavour to teach maths by linking to other areas of the curriculum, providing a real context for learning. For example, a senior class may operate a café, estimating expenditure and possible revenue, costing materials, calculating profits or losses.

 

The new outcomes and experiences for numeracy from the Curriculum for Excellence will also be embedded in the maths curriculum for Victoria Primary.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

 

History, geography and science are mostly taught through a topic or project approach. Concepts such as similarity and difference, or continuity and change will be explored and understood. Skills such as observation and recording of data are given a real context. There will be opportunities for developing language skills by using reference books, the internet and using this information to write reports.

 

Projects have been selected that will engage the interest of the children, help them to gain an understanding of our world and give them a balance of the core subjects within environmental studies. Trips are often an integral part of topic work.

 

The school is also working towards becoming an Eco School. We have gained the bronze award for work in this are and are working towards our silver. A committee with representatives from the staff and pupils lead this initiative in our school. Evidence of our eco Schools work is displayed on a board in our entrance.

 

 

HEALTH EDUCATION

 

 

At Victoria Primary, we endeavour to be a health promoting school. A committee made up of staff and pupils help to drive this initiative.

 

At various times in the year the themes of Road Safety, Anti-Bullying and Healthy Living are given a whole school focus. We have pupils from P6 and P7 as our Junior Road Safety Officers, running campaigns, competitions and information sessions, highlighting the importance of this work. The school has gained a Gold Award in Road Safety. Personal Safety is the focus of two units of work in P1 and P6. More information is given to parents and carers when their children are ready to undertake these programmes.

 

Children in P1 and P2 receive free fruit each week and the Health Promoting Schools Committee operate Fruity Friday where children can purchase fresh fruit for as little as 10p and 20p.

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

 

 

Every classroom is equipped with at least one apple Mac computer. Classes also make excellent use of the computer suite where there is an interactive whiteboard. Computers are used as an integral part of the curriculum and in all areas of the curriculum. The school computers are also linked to the internet and children have the opportunity to access this during the course of their work. Access is screened centrally to limit access to appropriate websites only and children are also closely supervised by staff when using the internet.

 

The children follow a programme of graded activities to ensure progression in skills.  The school has a selection of programmable toys that the children use to develop maths and IT skills.

 

 

RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION

 

There is a statutory requirement to provide religious education and religious observance in schools. Our programme is based on the City of Edinburgh’s guidelines and we aim to develop the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural values. The emphasis is on caring, co-operating, understanding and respecting our own as well as different values in our modern society. The main Christian festivals are celebrated and services are held within school to which parents are invited. We sometimes visit the local church too. Two local ministers, Ken Baird from North Leith and Sarah Embleton from St Serfs are regular visitors at our weekly assemblies. Children also learn about other world religions and their customs and festivals. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and observance if they so wish.

 

 

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Closely linked to our RME programme is our personal and social development programme. We are piloting a City of Edinburgh initiative called Creating Confident Kids. This is a whole school approach to this topic and each unit of study is launched at a whole school assembly. Themes include Fresh Start; Friendship; Anti-Bullying and Moving On. Information about each topic is issued to parents and carers and family homework is often issued so that these themes can be discussed and explored at home as well as school. We aim to make our pupils more emotionally literate by providing opportunities within school for reflection as well as discussion of these important issues. 

 

 

Twice a week, the whole school has a quiet time for 10 minutes so that pupils can take time in their busy day for calm reflection. We have a feelings book in our foyer so that children can write about how they are feeling. We have quiet assemblies where extracts are read out from this book.

 

 

 

EXPRESSIVE ARTS

 

From the earliest stages, our pupils are encouraged to express their ideas and feelings through drawing, painting, printing and making models. As visual development progresses, the children are introduces to techniques and materials facilitating growth in these areas. Appreciation and evaluation of their own work and that of famous artists is also encouraged. Our pupils experience a variety of musical activities which include singing, playing tuned and untuned percussion instruments, musical games and musical appreciation. Some of our older pupils are also given the opportunity to learn to play the violin. We aim to foster an appreciation and enjoyment of music and music making. Classes are given the opportunity to present shows and assemblies throughout the year.

 

Gymnastics, games and dance are taught to all classes by class teachers. There are also opportunities for most classes to participate in certain sports throughout the year. This is organised by our active schools co-ordinator, Nicky Wheatley and delivered by qualified coaches.  All classes have a block of swimming lessons in the year at Trinity Academy, delivered by Mrs Wilkinson. In line with the Scottish Executive, we aim to actively promote exercise and fitness, linking to our work in Health Promoting Schools.

 

Play forms an integral part of the curriculum in P1 and is an excellent opportunity for active learning. Drama also provides a great vehicle for learning. Children co-operate with each other, explore their creativity and develop confidence when performing in front of an audience. From time to time, dramatic presentations are performed for parents and other children.

 

 

 

FRENCH

 

Children in P6 and P7 are taught French. The programme is delivered by class teachers with the support of the French Assistant from Trinity Academy. When possible, the children will be taught to read and write in French as well as being involved in oral work.

 

 

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEARNING

 

Children who may benefit from extra support are identified during discussions with class teachers, senior management and the Support for Learning teacher.  Mrs El Sarrag teaches on Thursdays and Friday mornings. She works alongside class teachers or teaches in the Support for teach room where she uses a wide variety of resources. Learning Assistants may support her work at other times in the week.

 

Parents are kept informed about this provision and encouraged to become involved.

 

 

HOMEWORK

 

Homework is an integral part of our children’s education and helps to forge strong links between home and school. It enables parents to be informed about what their children are learning and encourages a dialogue between parents and staff.  Pupils will be asked to complete homework tasks each week. In the early stages, the emphasis will be on developing literacy and numeracy skills. As the children progress through the school, tasks may take the form of project work or research to encourage independent working. We ask parents and carers to supervise their children’s homework, encouraging them to complete tasks to the best of their ability.