Foundation subjects
HUMANITIES
Humanities include History and Geography. They are taught across the school through cross curricular topic work making them as interesting as possible for the children. Visits to local places of historical and geographical interest give the children first hand experiences. The children are also given the opportunity to use artifacts, photographs and other resources to develop their skills and knowledge. Only if children understand the world in which they live will they develop a caring attitude towards it.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical development plays an important role in promoting wellbeing and self-esteem in children. In PE children are taught to be active and improve their fitness. The emphasis is on improving and developing abilities. Aspects of gymnastics, games, dance, athletics and outdoor adventurous activities are taught. Children have at least two hours PE every week. All children in KS1 and KS2 have a half term of weekly swimming lessons during each academic year. We run a variety of after school sporting clubs that children can attend. All children have the opportunity to attend an outdoor adventurous activity centre in Upper KS2 and a city based residential. At the end of the Summer term parents and children take part in sports day on the school field.
MUSIC
Music is an important part of the primary curriculum, supporting pupils’ creativity, confidence, listening skills and ability to work collaboratively. Through singing, playing instruments, composing and performing, pupils develop an understanding of musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, tempo and dynamics. The National Curriculum for England aims for pupils to learn to sing and use their voices, create and compose music, play and perform, and listen to and evaluate music from a range of historical periods, genres and cultures. Music also provides opportunities for pupils to make connections across the curriculum, while developing communication, cultural awareness and enjoyment of the arts.
ART
During their time at Belford Primary School children will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of techniques and media through painting, printing, modeling, drawing, textiles and collage work. Visiting artists and sculptors work alongside the children on whole school projects. At Belford Primary School we promote the process of art rather than the end product. We want children to experience the joy of being creative and understand that everyone appreciates art in different ways.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
We observe Northumberland’s syllabus for the teaching of Religious Education. We take great care to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural and social development of children and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. The principal aim of RE is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that children can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways for living.
ASSEMBLY TIME
Throughout the week, children take part in assemblies, which aim to reflect the aims and ethos of our school. They cover religious themes or themes linked to our Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education programme. We encourage children to see themselves as part of the family of school and as part of a larger community where they have rights and responsibilities. Parents may withdraw their children from assemblies. To do this parents must inform school formally in writing of their wishes.
We encourage visitors into school to talk to the children in assembly time about a range of subjects and have regular assemblies from a local Christian group, who deliver special 'Open the Book' assembies. These are very interactive and popular with the children.