Equal Opportunities
The school has adopted Norfolk’s Policy on equal opportunities, that ensures all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum. The curriculum at Clover Hill is planned within the framework of the National Curriculum, and in line with Norfolk’s Policy Statement. Teaching at Clover Hill recognises the importance of early achievement in basic skills. We have daily Literacy and Numeracy sessions in each class. We place great emphasis on children achieving high levels in these subjects whilst, at the same time, maintaining a commitment to a rich and varied curriculum which extends the children’s understanding and experience of their world. The staff have developed a ‘curriculum map’ which outlines the areas of the National Curriculum that are covered under different topics.
Literacy
Reading
At Clover Hill we teach reading in line with Government requirements. In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children follow the Read Write Inc phonics programme on a daily basis. In addition to these sessions children will read with the teacher and a group of about five other children of similar ability each week. They will read, discuss the story, look for new words etc. This is called Guided Reading. We would like parents to hear their children read at home every day. We provide a range of books for you and your child to choose from. These books can be changed by the parent and child after school. We especially welcome parents into school on Wednesday afternoons at 2.45pm to read or change books with their own child.
Speaking and Listening
Encouraging and extending children’s use of language is a significant aim for our teaching and support staff. We plan to provide opportunities for children to talk in a variety of situations – to adults, to other children, in drama sessions, through circle time sessions, in various sizes of groups, and in more formal situations such as in class assemblies and whole school productions.
Writing
We aim to give children a wide variety of opportunities to write in different contexts – letters, captions, diaries, stories etc. Right from the beginning, the children are encouraged to write on their own. The conventions of letter formation, spelling and punctuation are taught systematically through our Read Write Inc Programme and our ‘Big Talk Big Write’ sessions. Gradually the children’s own writing will start to take on the conventions of Standard English. As the children become more competent at writing, they will be involved in drafting and editing their writing with the aim of producing high quality pieces of work.
Mathematics
The basic principle in our teaching is that children learn and understand from appropriate experiences, that is to say, by doing.
The new framework provides a structured programme for teaching maths. Much emphasis is put on children using problem solving skills. The daily maths lesson focuses the children on number skills such as addition and subtraction, money, multiplication and division. We also teach measures, shape and space, algebra, and data handling.
Science
Science for young children means exploring, discovering, and investigating the world around them. Such activities help children gather the experiences they need to understand the world in which we live.
Our school uses an investigative approach to the teaching of science. Investigations are open-ended, allowing a variety of solutions, enabling children to make and test predictions.
Through this approach the children will gain an understanding of the scientific process as well as basic scientific knowledge. It is our intention this year to develop our use of the outdoor area around our school particularly in science.
You can support your child by encouraging him/her to look at their surroundings and questioning what is there and how things work.
Art
It is very important that young children have the opportunity to express themselves through creative activities. Children’s art work is highly valued, and celebrated in displays throughout the school.
Inspiration for our art work is gathered from visits to local art galleries, like The Sainsbury Centre and Norwich Castle Museum, and from the work of other artists.
Personal, Social and Health Education
Personal, Social and Health Education in schools concerns the development of the child’s personality, and their attitude to learning. It covers the awareness of self, family, and the society in which we live and is linked to the themes discussed as part of collective worship.
As a school, we aim to provide a positive, affirming atmosphere, that will nurture each child’s self-esteem so that they become confident and self-motivated. In the classroom, children are encouraged to have consideration and respect for themselves, others, and property. The children are involved in the planning and evaluation of their work in order to develop a sense of responsibility and self-direction.
Children take part in circle time sessions. This involves listening to problems, both real and imaginary, and finding possible solutions to them.
We are following the SEAL curriculum which covers themes including Good to be me, Going for goals, and Changes.
Humanities
Geography helps the children to make sense of their surroundings and the widernworld. History enables them to develop a sense of time and an understanding of the past.
Both subjects are based on direct experience and practical activities, and full use is made of the children’s immediate environment, such as the school grounds, trips to museums and other localities. Wherever possible we make use of real objects and photographs in history. Children are encouraged to talk to, and learn from grandparents and great-grandparents who have first hand experience of the ‘olden days’. Children’s own geographical experiences are highly valued, and they are encouraged to talk about journeys that they have made locally, around Britain, and abroad. These help to widen their understanding of the world around them.
We welcome and invite people with experience of living in other countries into school to work with the children. If you feel you could contribute in this way, or know someone who could, then please let us know.
Music
Music is a subject which gives children a chance to express their ideas in fun and practical ways. In lessons, children explore sound through listening to music, composing, and performing. The children have great fun using the school’s percussion instruments. They are taught to play and handle instruments with care.
We also arrange for the children to see performances by various artists during the year to add richness and variety to school life.
Design Technology
In Design Technology, children are taught new skills and given opportunities to practice these. Children are able to make plans for, and select the materials, tools and skills they will need to make a chosen final product. They are then encouraged to evaluate and modify their product.
Physical Activities
The children are involved in a wide range of physical activities such as dance, gymnastics and athletics. All children have access to the hall for lessons with large and small apparatus. They also learn simple games which may include football, rounders and short tennis. Children are also able to join an after school sports club. Parents are invited to our annual Sports Day in the summer term.
We work as part of the Norwich Education Partnership and benefit from visits from outside experts who are able to teach the children skills such as quick cricket, dance and tennis.
Please ensure you child has named shorts and T-shirt for PE lessons.
We do not have enough spare PE kit to provide for children who forget. It is Local Authority Policy that earrings should not be worn during PE because of the safety aspect. Please remove your child’s earrings on a PE day.
Information Communication Technology
The school has worked hard the past few years to build up its expertise in this area. We have a wide selection of computer software. We also have digital cameras for ‘instant pictures’ of what we are doing and Digiblue cameras for the children to take photographs and make short video clips, and each classroom is equipped with computers and an interactive whiteboard.
The school has an Internet policy which is available in the school ofice. We also have a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and the school website.
Religious Education
Our aim in RE is for the children to begin to understand the meaning of the word ‘religious’ by considering religions and their artefacts, and religions and everyday life.
Religious education is undertaken as required by the Education Act of 1993, and in accordance with the Norfolk County Agreed Syllabus of Religious Instruction in Schools, a copy of which is available in the School.
Collective Worship
Collective worship takes the form of a morning assembly for all children. Throughout the week we celebrate, through stories, music and role play, good work, birthdays, topical issues, and a code of conduct to live by. During the year visitors may also lead school assembly.
Parents wishing to withdraw their child from Religious Education or morning assembly are invited to contact the headteacher.
Sex and Relationship Education
The school policy on sex education is available in the school office. Topics relating to growth and change, families, and relationships with other people, are covered as an integral part of our cross-curricular work. In working with young children, our emphasis is on helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and understanding the value and joy of caring and responsible relationships. It is our policy to inform parents of the content of lessons and when they will be taught.
