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The Lower School
Our aim is to build on the solid foundation provided in Early Years and to continue to support and enrich the social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual welfare of the children in our care through a curriculum that develops the whole child within the caring community of Lower School.
The Lower School Curriculum – Years 1, 2 and 3
- Years 1 and 2 are taught according to Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum.
- Although the subjects support each other, often with a theme running through them, they are identified as separate subjects and the staff work to a subject-based timetable.
- At the end of Year 2, details of the National Assessment of seven year olds is reported to parents.
- In Year 3 the children work according to Key Stage 2 of the National Curriculum. This is very much a transitional year where the children start to work to more Upper School-style schedules but remain within the community of Lower School, where their Form Teacher is still very much in evidence for their day-to-day care and teaching.
As the children move from Early Years to Lower School, a more formal approach develops; time, energy and enthusiasm goes into making our lessons educational and enjoyable.
We differentiate our teaching according to the needs of each child, bearing in mind their age and stage, which allows them to progress in more confident steps.
Each class has a Form Teacher who is responsible for the day-to-day care of the children. Most subjects are taught by the Form Teacher but certain lessons are taught by other members of the St. Mary’s staff.
- French
- Music
- ICT
- PE and Games
We have two Teaching Assistants who work alongside the class teachers.
We have regular contact and support from our Learning Support Coordinator.
We encourage the children to bring in items to support our class work.
A Lower School Newsletter is issued each term highlighting forthcoming events.
Staff are available most afternoons after school, so please come and discuss any issues, or make an appointment if you need to discuss anything at length.
More formal reporting to parents is via a Parents Evening in Term 1, a Half-Year Report in Term 2 and End of Year Report at the end of Term 3.
Rewards
We know that to develop confident, well-rounded individuals children will need to be nurtured, receive encouragement, praise and love. We work hard to ensure your children feel valued as individuals.
One way we do this is through our house point system (sometimes called stars). These can be achieved for attitude, effort and achievements on an individual basis and both inside and outside the classroom for courtesy, kindness and consideration for others. Children can also receive a green card for exceptional work or behaviour and visit the Headmaster for a reward.
As children grow they meet different challenges, new environments and different levels of expectation and all children test the boundaries they face. At St. Mary’s we expect this, but it is our professional responsibility to make clear to children when their behaviour is not acceptable and we help them to accept and respond appropriately.
Our house point system is balanced by the use of yellow and red cards for inappropriate responses to all aspects of school life. We will discuss any issues that particularly concern us with parents so that we can work together to address problem areas.
Homework
Ranges from 15 minutes a night in Year 1 to 20 minutes in Year 3.
Lower School Highlights
which enhance the day to day curriculum.
School trips
Trips are organized:
- To extend and enhance classroom work.
- To offer the children experiences within a school context.
- To develop greater independence.
- To be enjoyed.
Recent trips, to name but a few:
Eureka Museum; Chambers Farm Wood; A Walk with Aurelius the Roman Around Lindum Colonia in Year 1.
Creswell Crags and Skegness Natureland in Year 2.
The Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre; Farm Visit; and Brayford Survey in Year 3.
Our very special Christingle Service at a local church.
Year 2 form the Nativity Tableau in the annual St. Mary’s carol concert in Lincoln Cathedral.
Every other year all the Year 1 to Year 3 children are involved in a musical play. It really is lights, camera, action!
