Curriculum
Our Curriculum at Banks Lane Infant School is based on 'working together, nurturing excellence' and is underpinned by the values of collaboration, effort and excellence. Children learn through real experiences, hands on activities and stimulating tasks.
We follow guidelines of the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Our school activities are based on the belief that children work best in a structured yet stimulating and sympathetic environment where the potential of each individual is realised. All learning is personalised and children are expected to engage at a high level with learning processes.
It is important to monitor a child’s progress throughout school to ensure that a good rate of progress is maintained. Teacher Assessments are continual and Parents are consulted and informed, some are formal such as EYFS Profile in Reception, The Phonics Screen in Year 1 and SATs in Year 2, others are informal based upon teacher observations.
During the early years in school the children are developing their basic learning and acquisition of skills in an informal setting through practical activities and the literacy and numeracy activities. Gradually through their school life, their skills and knowledge become more formalised.
21 hours are spent on teaching per week excluding collective worship, assemblies and registration.
The basic skills in the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science are of paramount importance and the children may be taught as a class or ability grouped in these subjects, enabling the teacher to match the level of work to the individual child’s ability.
In every classroom throughout the school, an extensive range of carefully graded materials and resources are available. Each class is equipped with interactive whiteboard, ipads, digital camera, computer suite, roamers, listening centre and appropriate software to support the curriculum.
The conventions of reading are taught in school. Phonics lessons use a combination of the 'Letters and Sounds' and 'Read Write Inc' schemes together with suggestions from the Literacy specialist Debbie Hepplewhite. Our basic reading approach is three pronged based on an individualised home programme where great care is taken on the suitability of material for each child (Storyworld Scheme supplemented with a variety of schemes including Songbird Phonics, Rigby Rockets and Big Cats), on a group approach where children are grouped according to their ability and on a shared approach where Parents are requested to share books with children.
Our English teaching is based on the necessity for children, through experiences provided in school, to develop skills of communication and understanding. It is also important to be able to listen carefully and use spoken and written language in an effective and confident way.
In our teaching of mathematics we aim to promote the understanding of mathematical concepts as well as improve skills. Children should be able to apply these ideals in real life situations as well as develop a proficiency in mathematical reasoning and problem solving. School has been held the 'Basic Skills Award' for 10 years. This has recently been updated to the Quality Mark for English and Mathematics, for which we were accredited in February 2019.
Our science is essentially a practical investigation of the environment and world around us. It makes use of some of the child’s most outstanding characteristics, natural curiosity and love of asking questions. Personal hygiene and growth are dealt with in a natural way and where sex issues are relevant to the science curriculum, they are delivered with sensitivity and with regard to what is age appropriate. Our policy on Sex and Relationships Education is available for Parents and is covered at a child appropriate level through our Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum.
At all times we consider each child as an individual with his/her own strengths and needs. Children with special needs are given as much special attention as possible. Additional staff work alongside children, where appropriate, concentrating on reading activities and core tasks. Special resources are available to support this personalised approach. If it is appropriate the involvement of the speech therapist, educational psychologist, Sensory Service and learning support service are available. View our SEN Information Report.
Children with special physical needs have access to school via the main entrance and rear ramps. Physical conditions and symptoms should be notified to school in confidence so that specific needs can be addressed.
P.E. including gym, outdoor games, dance and drama are timetabled so that all classes have set times in our well-equipped hall. Games are taught outside on the playing field or playgrounds. Music, art, creative work and themes, covering history and geography are also an important part of school. Banks Lane Infants have been awarded a National Artsmark Silver Award, 'Active Mark' and have Enhanced Healthy School Status for our 'High Quality PE' and our 'Happy and Healthy Lunchtimes'.
Visits, demonstrations, talks, workshops and appropriate experiences are all an exciting aspect of learning and complement the wider curriculum offered by school. These are important when providing a broad and balanced curriculum and making learning fun. Spanish is taught throughout the school.
ICT supports all learning. ICT facilities, appropriate software and two fully equipped computer suites support all aspects of the school curriculum. Computing skills, supported by all the relevant hardware such as Ipads, are also taught as a separate subject. Each classroom has its own interactive whiteboard, mini suite and set of Ipads and skills are practised on a daily basis in a familiar setting.
Religious Education
School Assemblies and the teaching of R.E. are of a broadly Christian nature. The school celebrates the major festivals in several faiths and there is an emphasis on the teaching of moral values within a caring environment.
Parents who do not wish their children to participate in collective worship or RE should inform the Head teacher in writing.
We follow guidelines of the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Our school activities are based on the belief that children work best in a structured yet stimulating and sympathetic environment where the potential of each individual is realised. All learning is personalised and children are expected to engage at a high level with learning processes.
It is important to monitor a child’s progress throughout school to ensure that a good rate of progress is maintained. Teacher Assessments are continual and Parents are consulted and informed, some are formal such as EYFS Profile in Reception, The Phonics Screen in Year 1 and SATs in Year 2, others are informal based upon teacher observations.
During the early years in school the children are developing their basic learning and acquisition of skills in an informal setting through practical activities and the literacy and numeracy activities. Gradually through their school life, their skills and knowledge become more formalised.
21 hours are spent on teaching per week excluding collective worship, assemblies and registration.
The basic skills in the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science are of paramount importance and the children may be taught as a class or ability grouped in these subjects, enabling the teacher to match the level of work to the individual child’s ability.
In every classroom throughout the school, an extensive range of carefully graded materials and resources are available. Each class is equipped with interactive whiteboard, ipads, digital camera, computer suite, roamers, listening centre and appropriate software to support the curriculum.
The conventions of reading are taught in school. Phonics lessons use a combination of the 'Letters and Sounds' and 'Read Write Inc' schemes together with suggestions from the Literacy specialist Debbie Hepplewhite. Our basic reading approach is three pronged based on an individualised home programme where great care is taken on the suitability of material for each child (Storyworld Scheme supplemented with a variety of schemes including Songbird Phonics, Rigby Rockets and Big Cats), on a group approach where children are grouped according to their ability and on a shared approach where Parents are requested to share books with children.
Our English teaching is based on the necessity for children, through experiences provided in school, to develop skills of communication and understanding. It is also important to be able to listen carefully and use spoken and written language in an effective and confident way.
In our teaching of mathematics we aim to promote the understanding of mathematical concepts as well as improve skills. Children should be able to apply these ideals in real life situations as well as develop a proficiency in mathematical reasoning and problem solving. School has been held the 'Basic Skills Award' for 10 years. This has recently been updated to the Quality Mark for English and Mathematics, for which we were accredited in February 2019.
Our science is essentially a practical investigation of the environment and world around us. It makes use of some of the child’s most outstanding characteristics, natural curiosity and love of asking questions. Personal hygiene and growth are dealt with in a natural way and where sex issues are relevant to the science curriculum, they are delivered with sensitivity and with regard to what is age appropriate. Our policy on Sex and Relationships Education is available for Parents and is covered at a child appropriate level through our Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum.
At all times we consider each child as an individual with his/her own strengths and needs. Children with special needs are given as much special attention as possible. Additional staff work alongside children, where appropriate, concentrating on reading activities and core tasks. Special resources are available to support this personalised approach. If it is appropriate the involvement of the speech therapist, educational psychologist, Sensory Service and learning support service are available. View our SEN Information Report.
Children with special physical needs have access to school via the main entrance and rear ramps. Physical conditions and symptoms should be notified to school in confidence so that specific needs can be addressed.
P.E. including gym, outdoor games, dance and drama are timetabled so that all classes have set times in our well-equipped hall. Games are taught outside on the playing field or playgrounds. Music, art, creative work and themes, covering history and geography are also an important part of school. Banks Lane Infants have been awarded a National Artsmark Silver Award, 'Active Mark' and have Enhanced Healthy School Status for our 'High Quality PE' and our 'Happy and Healthy Lunchtimes'.
Visits, demonstrations, talks, workshops and appropriate experiences are all an exciting aspect of learning and complement the wider curriculum offered by school. These are important when providing a broad and balanced curriculum and making learning fun. Spanish is taught throughout the school.
ICT supports all learning. ICT facilities, appropriate software and two fully equipped computer suites support all aspects of the school curriculum. Computing skills, supported by all the relevant hardware such as Ipads, are also taught as a separate subject. Each classroom has its own interactive whiteboard, mini suite and set of Ipads and skills are practised on a daily basis in a familiar setting.
Religious Education
School Assemblies and the teaching of R.E. are of a broadly Christian nature. The school celebrates the major festivals in several faiths and there is an emphasis on the teaching of moral values within a caring environment.
Parents who do not wish their children to participate in collective worship or RE should inform the Head teacher in writing.
Find out more about the curriculum in each year group in the
Curriculum Booklet area
Curriculum Booklet area