ourladyofgracecatholicprimaryschool

Curriculum

Statutory requirements are met in teaching the National Curriculum in all subjects. The curriculum is well balanced and enables all pupils to make good progress.

Where possible, outside agencies are invited in to reinforce the learning within the classroom.

As part of enriching the curriculum, the children go out on trips to various centres, museums, galleries, theatres etc.

Year 5 trip – Environmental Curriculum Centre - February 2012

Year 5 went on their trip to the Environmental Centre in Horton Kirby, Kent and had fun. They explored the grounds of Farningham Woods looking at plant life cycles and seed dispersal.

Sports Xtra Day – January 2012

The children in the School took part in a Healthy Day run by Sports Xtra to promote awareness and interest in healthly lifestyles.

Heritage Centre: Year 1 – November 2011

St David’s Class went to the Heritage Museum. They were looking at toys from the past as part of this term’s history topic. They had great fun playing with the toys which didn’t need batteries!

Year 4 Residential Trip to Wrotham – September 2011

Every September children in Year 4 go on a two night residential trip to Margaret McMillan House in Wrotham. They take part in a variety of outdoor activites, combining elements of the National Curriculum in a fun and exciting way through tasks such as team challenges, archery, climbing tower and low-ropes.

This is an extremely beneficial experience for the children which helps develop their ability to work as part of a team, understand co-operation, boost their self-esteem and build their independence.

I stayed at Wrotham with them this year and was really impressed by their maturity, behaviour, enthusiasm and true support for each other especially as this was the first time some of them had been away from home. They thoroughly enjoyed taking part in all the activites and so did I!

Anna Sully, Governor

Environmental Centre, Year 2 – September 2011

Year 2 went to the Environmental Centre as part of their Health and Growth topic in Science.

We found out about all kinds of different healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables which give us vitamins and minerals as well as foods that give us protein to help make us strong like chicken and eggs.

We collected our own eggs from the chickens and picked our own apples from an apple tree! The apples were delicious when we had them at lunchtime.

When we dug up some potatoes we learnt that they give us carbohydrates which give us lots of energy. Energy is good for exercise which is another great way to stay healthy!

Eleni Bloy, Governor – I accompanied Year 2 on their visit; a beautiful sunny autumn day, perfect! Claire, the Teacher at the Centre explained to the children the purpose of their visit, asking questions about healthy foods and other ways of keeping healthy - exercise etc. We went outside and Claire’s tour took us through a ‘spider tunnel’ and various vegetable and fruit gardens. Claire was animated and engaged easily with everyone.

An extremely enjoyable day. I am proud again to be with children and teachers from Our Lady of Grace.

Joss Bay Seaside Trip – July 2011

Year 2 have been learning about the seaside as part of their Geography topic this term. We have been learning about the similarities and differences between where we live and what it’s like in a seaside town. The best difference that we could see was that it was raining back at school and there was beautiful sunshine for our trip to Joss Bay! We had a great time digging in the sand, building sandcastles and eating ice-cream!

‘After leaving School in torrential rain the prospect of a sunny day at the beach seemed a long shot but what a fantastic day! The sun was shinning, the skies were blue and the Year 2 children were a delight. They had so much fun at the seaside and their enthusiasm and behaviour was brilliant!’ Anna Sully, Governor

St Paul’s Cathedral, Year 2 - March 2011

As part of our Great Fire of London topic, Year 2 went on a school trip to St Paul’s Cathedral. We saw some statues that got burnt in the fire and a model of the first St Paul’s Cathedral as well as dressing up as famous people like Samuel Pepys and Sir Christopher Wren!

After our tour we walked to The Monument which was put up to remember the fire and Pudding Lane where the fire actually started!

Maths Workshop – March 2011

As part of the continued efforts to raise the profile of Numeracy throughout the School, a Maths Workshop was held for all parents. The evening was well attended and very positive feedback was received:

‘The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile handout will be so helpful as it shows where our children should be. I am going to use this index to improve my child’s numeracy skills.’
‘Excellent explanation of strategies – I can finally get my head around how Maths is taught today after many years out of the classroom.’

FS2 trip - Environmental Curriculum Centre – March 2011

The children in FS2 went on a fun trip to the Environmental Centre. They went on a senses walk and made smelly cocktails. They also squelched through mud and visited the animals.

Year 6 trip - Environmental Curriculum Centre – March 2011

Year 6 visited Horton Kirby as part of their work on River Studies. We measured the depth and flow of the river and had a great time exploring the countryside.

Year 4 visit the Heritage Centre – March 2011

Year 4 have been finding out more about the Jewish faith to understand the life and times of Jesus. The Greenwich Heritage Centre held an exhibition on Judaism allowing the children to explore the traditions, artefacts and similarities of Judaism and their own religion. The children enjoyed learning by interacting with the scrolls, clothing, playing games and listening to the Jewish volunteers explain the everyday life of a Jewish family.

Year 4 trip – Environmental Curriculum Centre – February 2011

The children enjoyed a fun day at the Centre taking part in activities such as Orienteering where they worked as a team to find 15 markers using a key and following a map. As part of their habitats topic, they studied mini-beasts they collected from under logs. They then used a giant magnifying glass to help make their own mini-beasts out of newspaper and masking tape.

Year 3 trip - Environmental Curriculum Centre – January 2011

The children in Year 3 visited the Environmental Centre and took part in lots of activities. A parent who accompanied them commented – ‘The children were fantastic! They showed excellent listening skills and were extremely attentive to all their Teachers and helpers. They engaged 100% in all the activites, showed wonderful teamworking, listening and helping hand skills. It was a delight to spend the day with their Teacher Mrs Harding who was fantastic with them.’

The Royal Artillery Museum – Year 3 - October 2010

The purpose of the trip was to demonstrate to Year 3 the comparisons between the Roman Army and the Army today. Not only did the children explore the museum and listen to stories about the Romans but they also interacted with the soldiers being taught drills and shown essential pieces of equipment taken to war. They had so much fun taking part, really concentrating as they marched up and down!

The questions asked by the children were interesting and sensible and their behaviour was truly impecble. It made me proud to be part of Our Lady of Grace and cemented the values promoted by the teachers of the School.

Sharon Sales, Chair of Governors