Curriculum

The School curriculum

The school is dedicated to providing a broad and balanced curriculum. We aim to promote high standards of literacy and numeracy while allowing ample opportunities for pupils to develop their abilities in all areas - artistic, physical and practical.

The curriculum includes the following subjects - English, Mathematics, Science, French, History, Geography, Music, Art and Design, Technology, Food and Textiles Technology (FTT), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Physical Education (PE). A 'Life Skills' programme delivers Citizenship, Religious Education (RE) and Personal and Social Education (PSE) as a combined course. Details of the content of individual curriculum areas are given each term in the Newsletter.

In Year 5 the class teacher and other members of the Year 5 team deliver much of the curriculum. Technology, Food and Textiles Technology, Art and Design, Music and Physical Education and are taught by specialist teachers, usually in designated areas.

In Year 6 the amount of specialist teaching increases and students are expected to gain a greater level of independence in their studies in preparation for their secondary years.

In both Year 5 and Year 6 the Humanities (History and Geography) curriculum is delivered through a series of themes such as 'The Tudors' and 'Out and About' in Year 5 and 'The Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest' and 'Britain in World War II' in Year 6. These include input from other curriculum areas as appropriate.

As the pupils enter Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum in Year 7, the proportion of specialist teaching increases further. Each subject has its own approach, and a variety of teaching methods are adopted depending on the circumstances, catering for a wide range of learning styles. Most subjects are delivered as discrete curriculum areas, but on occasions selected subjects come together to produce cross-curricular themes such as 'Medieval Realms' and 'France' in Year 7.

Throughout all four years, a comprehensive programme of educational visits, both day and residential, provides opportunities for pupils to extend their learning outside the classroom. The School Visits Policy gives more detailed information about the structured programme of educational visits available during your child's time at Middle School.

Staff are committed to developing pupils' critical thinking and encouraging them to develop transferable skills such as the ability to analyse and synthesise information and reflect on the process of learning; vital skills to equip them for life in the 21st century.

The Middle School curriculum spans Key Stages 2 and 3, which means that liaison between our feeder First Schools, ourselves and the High School is vital. Subject leaders meet regularly to ensure continuity and progression between schools in the Partnership.

Religious affiliation

This school has no affiliation with any particular religion or creed. Assemblies will use certain religious ideas from a variety of creeds but, as required by the law, will be mainly Christian in character. Parents have the right under Section 25 of the 1944 Education Act to withdraw their child from Religious Education or Acts of Worship. In the event of a parent exercising this right, children will be supervised in the corridor close to the assembly hall.

Sex education

Sex education is taught with due regard to Northumberland County Council's Guidelines and Policy and the National Curriculum requirements of Science and Health Education.

The emphasis moves from care and understanding (Year 5) to personal development and a responsible attitude to sexual relationships (Year 8). Children are given the opportunity to discuss their ideas and ask questions so that they have a clear understanding of all aspects of the subject.

The work covered is a continuation of that started in First School on human growth and development and is further developed in High School with work on contraception, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

The School Nurse is involved in all phases of education within the Hexham Partnership, providing progression and continuity of learning.

Homework

Students will be given the opportunity to study independently at school and at home. Homework should encourage students to organise themselves and to take an increasing amount of responsibility for their own learning. It is hoped that through the use of homework planners, parents will have the opportunity to support and become involved in their child's school work.

Homework is set as appropriate. It is felt important that teachers should have the flexibility to set work which is relevant and supports what is currently being taught. Students will always be asked to record their work in the Home School Planner and we ask that parents check this on a daily basis. When possible, students are given two or three days to complete homework so that they can spread their workload evenly.

Parents have a role to play by ensuring homework is completed, helping the child where appropriate and providing the facilities for the child to work in an area without distraction. Should you have difficulty in providing such a place, please contact the school and we shall make arrangements for facilities to be provided at school.

Year Five

In Year 5 students will receive homework twice weekly, usually in Mathematics and English. Occasionally students will bring home additional work based on the current study. This may involve the student in researching a particular topic started in class.

On evenings where no homework is set, students are expected to do some reading and/or learn multiplication tables. The amount of time spent on homework will vary from student to student but should generally take 30 minutes.

Year Six

In Year 6 students will receive one homework a week in Mathematics, English and Science. French homework will usually be set once a fortnight. Homework may be set in other subject areas as and when it is felt to be appropriate and sometimes students will also be asked to continue class work or conduct some research at home.

Students are also encouraged to read at home on a regular basis and to keep a reading record in school.

Years Seven and Eight

Homework is set on a more or less weekly basis in Mathematics, English and French and fortnightly in History and Geography. Occasionally additional English work is set in the form of reading tasks, research and the completion of class work. Extended pieces of work in Maths will be set from time to time, taking more than one week to complete. French homework will arise directly from work covered during lessons and will be set according to the ability of the pupils. Science homework is more flexible, depending on the work being followed. Teachers check regularly that the commitment is being met.

Food and Textiles Technology and Technology set homework at the beginning and end of a project, whilst the Music Department sets one homework per project with a week to complete it. There will be times when pupils are asked to finish off Life Skills class work.

Pupils are also encouraged to read at home on a weekly basis and to keep a reading record in school. Where possible, students will be given several days to complete tasks and the day on which they are to be completed recorded in the homework planner. The amount of time spent on each homework will vary from pupil to pupil but should generally take up to an hour, with French taking about thirty minutes.