School Curriculum THE LAMMAS SCHOOL At the Lammas, we are fortunate in having the whole range of pupils and are committed to maintaining strong links between the Primary and Secondary parts of the school. The school is guided by the National Curriculum but is not enslaved by it. S.A.T. test are available for use by teachers as a means of internal assessment, but we do not participate in formal external S.A.T. testing. Pupils, staff and parents thereby benefit from the removal of undue negative pressures, enabling pupils to achieve their true potential in a less stressful environment. We pride ourselves in maintaining a family atmosphere where the older pupils appreciate and accept the responsibilities associated with having younger members of the ?family? around. The younger pupils also benefit by experiencing the whole of the educational process without the worry of having to change school at 11 years of age. ENTRANCE TO THE LAMMAS SCHOOL Having received our Prospectus, parents are welcome to visit the school, to have a tour of the building and see teachers and pupils working in the classroom environment. Entrance to the school is by interview and assessment. Children spend a ?taster day, in the school for assessment of their academic standard, behaviour and attitude, ready for placing in the class best suited to their age. On acceptance by the Principals, a Registration Fee of £250 is payable, which is deducted from the first account. Subject to availability of places, pupils for all years are accepted throughout the year, with Infant pupils entering at a suitable time in the year before their 5th birthday. Secondary school pupils are accepted at 11 years. The Lammas School is not a Preparatory school. We do not prepare students for entrance into other independent or state secondary schools and expects children entering the Primary school to follow the school curriculum through to GCSE Level at 16 years of age. THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM English Language Mathematics French History Geography Gateway Science [GCSE LEVEL] Biology Chemistry Physics Art & Design Information Technology Religious Education Psychology [GCSE LEVEL] Business Studies (After School Club) KEY STAGE 3 At Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, 9) the curriculum builds on the good practise of the primary school and develops their basic appreciation and understanding of the concepts and skills required for GCSE examination courses. Courses are manly cyclic, fully differentiated with modular content and inbuilt assessment enabling individual pupils progress to be monitored. KEY STAGE 4 At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) all pupils study nine GCSE subjects {Science counts as two GCSE’s for certification purposes} with the OCR Board. Pupils are fully timetabled and not allowed to drop out of subjects. Classes are mixed ability and level/tier of entry for examinations are determined by teacher assessment and performances in the Mock GCSE examinations in December/January of the final year. Games is presently non examinable but forms a part of the school’s Core Curriculum is followed by all pupils and requires the correct school kit to be worn as specified in the school’s uniform code. Information technology facilities are available for cross-curricular work to assist with coursework, referencing of information and career guidance. LIBRARY The school has a small but effective library, which is very well used by pupils. It is also school policy that all pupils are members of the local public library, which is a mere few hundred yards down the road. Classes/teaching groups are timetabled for full use of this library, including access to the INTERNET, and are escorted by teaching staff who supervise them to ensure that it is being used properly. Study groups are also taken down as and when subject teachers feel there is a need for access to extra study material and areas. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY All pupils in the school are timetabled for Information Communication Technology where they have full access to full IBM compatible multimedia computers. They are used to access and process information using CD-ROMS and commercial software including Word Processing, Desktop publishing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Presentational packages. This enables all our pupils to become Computer literate and familiar with the equipment and software used at home, in business and commerce. THE PRIMARY SCHOOL The Primary curriculum lays the foundation for standards of excellence with literacy and numeracy skills considered to be of prime importance. These include oral and written communication and interpretation, reading fluency, spelling and presentation. The techniques and conceptual understanding of mathematical principals and processes are strongly emphasised. History Geography and Science develop relevant knowledge, research and classification skills whilst PSHE give opportunities for self, group and community awareness. Specialist teachers teach older pupils French, Art, ICT, Swimming and Games. Primary pupils develop an increasing sense of responsibility for their own work and conduct and a respect for the rights of others, in readiness for progression into the senior part of the school. THE SCHOOL DAY All pupils are expected to arrive by 8-45am ready for morning line-up and commencement of lessons at 8-50am. A morning duty teacher is in the playground from 8-40am. Pupils should wait quietly in the playground and refrain from playing games or running at this time to avoid any accidents. In the event of inclement weather pupils should go to their form room and sit quietly until the arrival of the form teacher. As the school does not provide school dinners, pupils bring a packed lunch. The school Tuck Shop opens during lunchtime and provides a variety of hot and cold refreshment and confectionery. Drinking water machines are now available in the girls and boys toilets. If pupils forget the lunch or refreshment provision can be arranged by way of the tuck shop. HOMEWORK Homework is seen as an essential part of learning process and is set and marked regularly according to the school?s homework timetable. SPECIAL NEEDS POLICY Because of its small size and the financial constraints this places on it, THE LAMMAS SCHOOL is not able at present to operate a separate special needs department. However staff are supported by a Curriculum Support Teacher, who is available both to Primary and Secondary pupils. The needs of all pupils are regarded as special and paramount, and staff will endeavour to provide the best opportunities they can for all pupils. LANGUAGES French is taught from 8 years of age using a specialist Language teacher. Senior pupils follow the Heinemann 'Avantage' scheme, which uses differentiated materials to allow pupils to progress at their own level. An educational visit to France is organised on an annual basis. FURTHER EDUCATION The School believes that education is a lifelong process and is committed to ensuring that our pupils have the best careers advice and guidance. This is done in co-operation with Connexions, our local careers service, whose advisors visit the school regularly to interview pupils and produce individual action plan, organise visits to the numerous 6th form or technical colleges in the local area, as well as attending parents evenings. We have a Careers Library that includes computerised programmes. SPORTING ACTIVITIES Sports offered include:- Football Cricket Netball Hockey Rounders Athletics Table Tennis Indoor Cricket Cross Country The School uses the Lammas Leisure Centre adjacent to the main building. Activities take place in the sports hall and Swimming lessons in the main and training pools. information is available at www.everyoneactive.co.uk Every pupil is encouraged to participate in competitive sporting activities during the school year with games lessons being used to improve individual skills and to develop team spirit. Fixtures are arranged throughout the year, and the school is represented in mini cricket leagues, cross-country and swimming events. Primary pupils visit the local swimming baths weekly, learn to swim from an early age. As confidence and skills improve, swimmers participate in the Amateur Swimming Award Schemes. MUSIC STAGE & DANCE Dancing classes are held every week with our specialist teacher Mrs Sheena Tangiguchi {ABT, AMD, AST, AT-I.D.T.A}. Lessons start with basic music and movement classes, developing to classical and modern dance , with examinations taken on a regular basis. The school also runs an Amateur Dramatics club and Singing and Recorder groups, where pupils are encouraged to perform on the stage and at the various events that take place throughout the year. Primary pupils participate in Singing and Music lessons every week and the school chior meet regularly with a view to performing at various functions throughout the year. FIRE SAFETY & STAFF CRB CHECKS The school is fully protected by a modern fire system. Fire Safety checks comes from the local fire officer, Regal Fire and ADT. The school has retained the services of a Heath and Safety Advisory Company, Drury PSM, to carry out Risk Assessment and advise on safety procedures of the school building. The School is a member of CRB and checks on new staff are made using this agency.