General information

Key Stage 2 comprises of eight classes. Classes 7 and 8 make up Year 3, classes 9 and 10 make up Year 4, classes 11 and 12 make up Year 5 and classes 13 and 14 make up Year 6. Each class has approximately 30 children of mixed ability. During the school day the children in Key Stage 2 are provided with a range of practical and first hand experiences. Whilst engaging in such activities and other lessons the children are provided with the opportunity to work with other children. They are also provided with opportunities to work closely with a teacher.

Subjects covered

Since September 1998 the school has implemented the National Literacy Hour. Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing, Handwriting and Spelling are the main aspects of the English Curriculum, taught during the National Literacy Hour. The children are also taught Mathematics during the Numeracy Hour. The children in Key Stage 2 are also taught the subjects outlined in the National Curriculum. These subjects are Science, Religious Education, Art, Design and Technology, Geography, History, Information Communication Technology, Music, PHSCE and Physical Education. The children also attend the school library once a week and are able to choose a book to take home and read.

Support Staff

The support staff who work with children in Key Stage 2 are :- Mrs Moss, Mrs Blackmore, Mrs Yeomans and Mrs Sweeney.

Our support staff works closely as a team to support all children within Key Stage 2. Roles of support staff include –

·        Working with more able children (Gifted and talented)

·        Working with less able children (SEN)

·        Guided read and writing sessions

·        Educational visits

·        Supporting I.C.T work

·        Library sessions.

We also have learning support assistants, who work on a one to one basis with individual children.

Extra Curricular activities

We offer an extensive range of extra curricular activities. These include:

·        Netball – A netball club runs during our autumn term, open to all Year 5 and Year 6 girls. School teams are then selected and netball training continues throughout the spring term.

·        Football – RVPGA runs Year 6 and Year 5 A and B team football league competitions, 7 a side Saturday competitions and 5 a side boys and girls day camps.

·        Spanish – Spanish club begins in our spring term and runs throughout the summer term. The club is open to pupils from years 4, 5 and 6.

·        Newspaper club – This club produces a termly newspaper based on events and activities that have taken place in the school. It is open to Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils.

·        Sign language – This clubs runs during the spring and summer terms. It is open to all Key Stage 2 pupils, teaching them basic British sign language.

·        Cricket – Children can take part in an Interschool 8 a side cricket competition.

·        Athletics – Children can take part in the Interschool competition at Spring Hill High School.

·        Christmas Productions – Key stage 2 presents a Christmas production every year. All of the children and staff work together in a variety of roles to ensure the smooth running of this event. Children are always very keen to participate (over 200 pupils last year) and contribute in roles such as :-

Principal characters

Non – speaking roles

Choir

Chorus line

Dancers

Back stage

Props and scenery.

In the autumn term, children are invited to audition for their preferred role and a range of after school rehearsals and workshops are provided by the staff to support this event.

·        Music – Children in year 4 and above are able to take advantage of the services of a member from Rochdale Music centre who teaches brass. They have a weekly lesson, a small charge being made to cover instrument hire and teaching. The school band takes part in events such as ‘The Christmas Cracker’ at the Town Hall and the ‘Rochdale Festival of Music, Speech and Dance’. The band also performs at our end of term concerts.

Within school, children may also have the opportunity to play the recorder or sing in the school choir, representing the school at concerts in the local area and performing in festivals.

·        Choral speaking – Year 4 take part in the choral speaking, successfully gaining highly commended certificates. This year they were joined by year 3 children, who also did well.

Links with outside agencies

As well as offering extra activities within school, we also have a number of links with outside agencies, to support, extend and enhance our curriculum provision. These agencies include:

·        Rochdale A.F.C – Each year, R.A.F.C have visited our school to coach Year 1 to Year 6 children. The children are provided with two full sessions. The week usually ends with a sponsored penalty shoot out, to raise money for school sports equipment. They also offer an after school club, during the summer term.

·        Lancashire Cricket Club – They offer coaching for all Year 5 pupils and an after school club for Year 6 pupils.

·        Wardle High School – We are currently establishing a sports partnership, to extend our current sports provision.

·        Littleborough Library – All children in Key Stage 2 visit Littleborough Library and are able to choose a book to take home.