Swaffield Primary School

Swaffield School aims to provide an enjoyable and successful start to every child’s education and is truly in class of its own in the way it does so. I’m proud to have an experienced and enthusiastic staff whose focus is on providing a creative and inclusive environment for children to develop both academically and socially.

At Swaffield, we provide an interesting and stimulating curriculum whilst at the same time putting considerable emphasis on the children’s physical, social and emotional development. You’ll find the atmosphere friendly, happy and fun but at the same time focussed to help each child reach their potential. You can read more about our school in our prospectus. We were happy to be visited by Ofsted in July 2016 and delighted that the inspectors gave us such positive feedback. To quote them: " Swaffield is a very happy school which is focused on pupils’ learning."

Statement of Shared Aims & Values is Pupils, parents, staff and governors all have a part to play in making Swaffield a school of high quality. Together we strive to maintain a stimulating and motivating learning environment for all.

• We aim to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in our care by providing an environment in which they are safe and secure and can be supported in their physical and emotional needs.
• We aim to provide a happy and healthy school environment where children and adults respect each other and take responsibility for their own actions.
• We support a policy of inclusion, where there are equal opportunities for all.
• We will provide a curriculum that is broad and balanced, that will help children prepare for the opportunities and responsibilities that are needed for now and later in life.
• We expect everyone to achieve high standards of work and behaviour both inside and outside school.
• We will encourage the children to develop spiritually, morally, culturally, mentally and physically.
• We strongly believe that communication is crucial between all staff, parents and children and we will foster an ethos of openness whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

At Swaffield School we believe that our creative curriculum provides the children with an exciting and stimulating learning environment. The curriculum is relevant to the children’s life experiences, inspires and engages them in their learning and enables them to work in a flexible and collaborative way using their imagination. Our curriculum builds on the children’s knowledge and helps them develop key skills and enthusiasm for learning.

Sex and relationship education is taught as part of our science curriculum. Parents are welcome to view the programme we use as well as read the policy (see policies page) and course notes. Parents are also able to withdraw their children from the lessons if they wish.

To enhance the curriculum, all children have regular outings into the local area as well as visits to museums, galleries and other places of interest. Year 6 children are given the opportunity to take part in a residential trip to an activity centre. We invite specialists into school such as theatre groups, puppeteers and musicians. We also have regular visits from the Police, Fire Brigade and other agencies.

Children in the Nursery and Reception classes work towards achieving a set of 'early learning goals' and develop key skills across a wide range of areas. The Early Years curriculum is divided into three prime and four specific areas of learning.

The prime areas of learning

• Communication and language – developing confidence in self-expression and ability to listen in a range of situations.
• Physical development – involving action and interaction, developing co-ordination, control and movement.
• Personal, social and emotional development – developing a positive self-image, good relationships and respect for others, learning how to manage feelings and behave appropriately.

The specific areas of learning

• Literacy – linking sounds and letters and beginning to read and write.
• Mathematics – improving skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, simple calculations, describing shapes, space and measures.
• Understanding the world – making sense of the physical world and their community.
• Expressive arts and design – exploring a wide range of materials and media as well as sharing their thoughts, feelings and ideas through a variety of activities involving music, art, drama and so on.

The curriculum is carefully planned to cover all of the required areas. Activities are put into contexts which ensure learning is engaging and fun for the children. Our learning environment encompasses both classroom and playground and children are encouraged to build up skills in activities that take place in both areas. Our aim is to maintain a very happy, challenging, motivating and sociable environment, where all children feel included and are keen to learn. You have worked with your staff in early years (Nursery & Reception) to ensure that the youngest children in the school get off to a flying start in their learning.

In Years 1 & 2 children begin to have more formal literacy, numeracy and science lessons. Throughout the school children use a variety of web based and school bought software to enhance their Computing skills and learning. They are involved in History and Geography projects and develop their skills in Art, Music, PE and Drama.

Year 1 children take the national Phonics Screening Check near the end of Year 1. Towards the end of Year 2 all children take national tests in reading, writing, spelling and maths. The results are used to inform teacher assessments, which are reported to parents at the end of the school year.

There will continue to be an emphasis on the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Computing. We follow detailed schemes of work for all National Curriculum subjects and ensure that a broad and balanced curriculum is followed. The children are expected to take on more responsibility for ensuring that their work is completed to a high standard. Additional support or extension work is provided wherever necessary.

Individual assessments of the children will continue throughout the Key Stage culminating in National SATs tests for children in Year 6 in Maths, Reading Comprehension and, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation. Writing and Science are assessed by the teacher and moderated externally. Children in Year 6 also complete Wandsworth Tests in non-verbal and verbal reasoning in September. Sex and relationship education is taught as part of our science curriculum.