Curriculum for Excellence 3-18 Bringing Learning to Life and Life to Learning
Curriculum for Excellence has been introduced to raise standards of learning and teaching in all 3 to 18 year olds. It aims to help prepare children and young people with the knowledge and skills they need in a fast changing world. As part of Curriculum for Excellence, all children from pre-school to the end of S3 will receive a rounded education known as a Broad General Education (BGE). Curriculum for Excellence is all about bringing real life into the classroom and taking lessons beyond it. Here in Our Lady of Peace we aim to offer a broad curriculum which is both challenging and enjoyable. In this way we enable children to become
Successful Learners
Confident Individuals
Responsible Citizens
Effective Contributors
Every child is entitled to a broad and deep general education, whatever their level and ability. Curriculum for Excellence has been introduced across Scotland for all 3 – 18 year olds – wherever they learn. This curriculum framework balances the importance of knowledge with skills. It develops skills for learning, life and work to help young people to go onto further study, secure employment and navigate life. It brings real life into Quality Assurance.
School Improvement
On an annual basis, you will have available to you, a copy of our Standards and Quality Report. The Standards and Quality Report (SQR) highlights progress in key curricular areas such as literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing (HWB). Our priorities for improvement are detailed in our School Improvement Plan (SIP) which is discussed with our Parent Council. Any parent/carer seeking a copy of the plan can contact the school office or check out our website. Our current priorities are: ?
Children are given opportunities to gain knowledge and skills which they can apply in different curricular areas. The eight areas of learning are:
Literacy Talking and Listening There is a coherent and progressive programme in place across our school. This programme provides opportunities for children to express their thoughts and feelings in a variety of situations. Role play and presenting develops children’s confidence in the use of the spoken word. Reading Reading always has a high profile throughout the school. This year, reading progression and assessment of reading skills forms part of our School Improvement Plan (SIP). There is a focus on “Understanding, analysing and evaluating texts”. Parents/Carers of Primary 1 pupils are invited into the classroom to find out how reading and phonics are taught at early stages. Phonics are introduced at a very early stage in P1 using a variety of materials and reinforced through oral and written activities. Early literacy strategies are taught daily. This progresses to more formal spelling work. All stages participate in Fiction and Non Fiction Weeks where we explore authors, the craft of the novel and reading for enjoyment. This allows children to analyse demanding texts. Children are given opportunities to read independently, to experience the pleasure of reading alone and to build reading stamina. All staff are encouraged to model these strategies in each class. Children will also experience listening to stories, demonstrating how to read with expression and fluency. Children are taught how to handle a dictionary correctly to find the meaning of words and how to answer specific questions in their reading. The use of a thesaurus is also taught. Spelling, Grammar and Handwriting are taught systematically. We track reading skills through each level of CfE.
Writing Early handwriting skills are developed using a variety of materials in the class. This leads on to more formal work based on Nelson Writing. Creative writing is developed using “Big Writing”. Children are introduced to VCOP in Primary 1 and this is further developed at each stage. Creative writing may also be aided by the use of computers which allows children to concentrate on content rather than being concerned with presentation.
Modern Languages All classes are taught basic Spanish words, numbers and greetings, with more structured Spanish being taught for one hour every week. Learning other languages enables children to make connections with different people and their cultures. Learning a new language encourages children to broaden their horizons as they explore the language and its associated culture. Today’s children are growing up in a multilingual world and it is crucial that they play their full part as global citizens. We have moved towards the 1+2 model of modern language provision. This means that all pupils from P5 upwards will experience 1 language (their mother tongue) and 2 other languages (Spanish and one other) through shared learning, topics and cultural events. We have received a certificate of excellence from the British Council for our work related to International Education.
Maths Interactive strategies are used at all stages to address the following attainment outcomes:
Tasks are set up in a variety of contexts eg.
(Stages of Early Arithmetical Language - SEAL) Glasgow schools have developed competencies to move from “good” to “great”. As part of our School Improvement Plan and to support Glasgow’s Improvement Challenge (GIC), we have appointed a Challenge Leader of Learning (GCOL) who will use SEAL numeracy materials to build mental maths capabilities in learners, to raise attainment and confidence in number processing from Primary 1 onwards. Planning in maths includes at least 15 minutes of mental maths every day.
Health and Wellbeing This area of the curriculum covers children’s physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. We aim to help children to make informed decisions which will enable them to become, and remain, healthy and responsible citizens. Children learn through:
Physical Education (PE) Our children are encouraged to be physically active by participating in a wide range of physical pursuits on a regular basis and access to 2 hours per week of high quality PE. There are a number of lunch time and after school clubs happening throughout the year.
Social Subjects These experiences and outcomes are designed to stimulate an interest in the local community and the wider world. The areas covered are:
Links are encouraged with other areas of the curriculum to provide children with a deeper, more enjoyable and active experience. Where possible, speakers or visits to places of interest are arranged to enhance the learning experience, this is called Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL).
Expressive Arts Expressive arts allow children to develop their talents and be creative through Music, Art and Drama. Some elements of Expressive Arts are addressed through interdisciplinary work. The majority of activities will be practical and experiential. Roman Catholic - Religious and Moral Education (RERC) As a Catholic school, we aim to present the Catholic Christian message and way of life systematically to the children, at a level and pace appropriate to their age and development. Catholic attitudes and beliefs are fostered and integrated across the curriculum. We use “This Is Our Faith”, and “God’s Loving Plan” for teaching here in Scotland. In addition to developing an understanding of the Catholic faith, our children will also study some other world religions at certain stages in order for them to appreciate significant aspects of those major world religions. Parents, priests and staff work closely in preparing children to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. Our school chaplain, Father Paul Gargaro, visits the school regularly and we participate in First Friday Masses and Holy Days of Obligation. Parents and the parish community join us on these occasions and attend prayer services. Our P6 and P7 children are enrolled in the “Pope Francis Award” programme. We are justifiably proud of our tradition of helping others. Each year children and families take part in events to raise money for charities. We make generous donations to Missio, The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Mary’s Meals, MacMillan Cancer, Marie Curie and SCIAF . Spiritual, Social, Moral and Cultural Values As a Catholic Christian school, we work closely with our parents/carers and clergy to develop these attributes in our children. Parents/carers from other religions may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school in order to celebrate recognised religious events. Only written requests detailing the proposed arrangements will be considered. Parents may withdraw their children from religious observance but must give prior written notice of this intention to the Head Teacher. Science The study of science provides opportunities for our children to learn about their environment by observing, exploring, investigating and recording. The science outcomes are:
There will be a variety of approaches including contextualisation and discreet lessons as appropriate. Technologies Our ICT programme develops progressive skills in word processing, e-mailing, graphics, information handling and presenting. We have a fully equipped ICT suite and computers in each class. The use of a range of technology including cameras, DVD recorders, laptops and interactive whiteboards in every class further support learning and teaching. We regularly share important school information and pupil achievement through the use of photographs and social media. Enterprise Education All children will experience Enterprise Education annually in the form of specific projects or activities. This is done in partnership with parents / carers, local businesses and the local community. We have an excellent record in this area and have been awarded Diamond Awards from Glasgow City Council. International Education The school is registered with the British Council and ETwinning. The school was recognised as an International School and received official recognition by the award of “Foundation Status of International School Award”. The school was presented with the “International Education Excellence Award” by the British Council in September 2016
Our Lady of Peace Primary RC School343 Hallhill RoadGlasgowG33 4RYPhone: 0141 773 0550Fax : 0141 773 1022