RAYSFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL
Love to Learn
At Raysfield Junior School, we encourage all members of the school community; adults and pupils, to enjoy learning. The purpose of education is transformation, not information, developing an individual to constantly improve themselves, their skills and understanding. This process of learning can be difficult or challenging, at times; it should also be very rewarding and can be very enjoyable.
Here at Raysfield, we encourage a love of learning, through a broad and balanced curriculum. While we recognise the importance of communication skills in literacy and numeracy, we believe in the importance of educating the whole child, through the whole curriculum. Children learn about the world, through Literacy, Numeracy, Science, ICT, Art, Technology, PE, Music, History, Geography, RE, Spanish and PSHE (personal, social and health education). As well as ensuring good progression in individual subjects, Ofsted 09 noted, ““Increasingly, links across subjects are being developed to give context to the learning and make it more meaningful.” Most of the 'Creative curriculum' is taught through cross-curricular topics, with a WOW event to inspire children's interest and a celebration event at the end.
We recognise that children are unique individuals, each with their own strengths, interests and areas for development and believe the wide curriculum can encourage these strengths, whilst supporting them to develop in other areas.
VAK: All learners may have a preferred learning style, which they best respond to and teaching and learning gives Visual (sight), Auditory (sound) and Kinaesthetic (‘hands on’) experiences, to make the most of the diversity of learners in each classroom. This ‘VAK’ style of teaching can greatly aid enjoyment and understanding for learners.
We have seen great benefits in such learning within Literacy, with role play, discussion and video inspiring pupils to read and write.
"Typically, lessons are characterised by warm relationships and purposeful attitudes. Teachers manage pupils confidently and teaching assistants work well in partnership to ensure all pupils feel included and make progress. Teachers work successfully to keep pupils' attention and frequent use of praise encourages pupils. As a result, they are keen to please and pupils work hard to do their best and answer questions enthusiastically." Ofsted
Use of new technology: Work across the curriculum will often aim to make the most of new technologies, motivating pupils with the interactive use of ICT. Colourful sights and sounds enliven learning, encouraging pupils to take part and explore.
Enrichment: In addition to the main curriculum, we look for opportunities to enrich children’s learning, through memorable and inspiring experiences. These may happen through enrichment days, educational visits or visitors, the use of creative resources, whole school ‘special events’ and after school provision. “There is a wide-ranging programme of visits, visitors and extra-curricular clubs, which offer good enrichment. Pupils speak enthusiastically about these opportunities.” (Ofsted 09)
Extra curriculum: Through extra-curricular clubs, children have enjoyed participating in football, rugby, netball, hockey, multi-sports, dance, eco schools, golf, drama, art, choir, orchestra and ICT. In many of these, the children have had opportunities to represent the school, through performances and competition. A number of children have even won local, or national competitions, in areas such as poetry, seeing their work in print!
This emphasis on a broad and balanced curriculum, responsive to new technology and pupil’s strengths and needs, encourages all at Raysfield to enjoy being a part of a learning community, and be motivated to explore their world, with curiosity and a desire to learn.
