The basic curriculum of the school is built around twelve subject areas. These areas are Religious Education and the National Curriculum subjects (the core subjects – English, mathematics and science – and the foundation subjects – art, design and technology, geography, history, music, and physical education). Information technology is used in many areas of the curriculum. PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) is also an important part of our curriculum and we also teach Spanish and French.
We have high expectations of our pupils, and encourage them to have high expectations of themselves, so that they can achieve the standards of work of which they are capable. Our procedures for assessing and recording pupils‘ progress provide evidence of their achievement.
Language is the medium through which we think and communicate with others, so English must have a
central place in the curriculum. Pupils' knowledge of the vocabulary and grammar of English is developed
through reading, writing, speaking and listening. Our programme, which reflects the National Primary Strategy for Literacy,
is designed to develop pupils‘ abilities to
communicate effectively in speech and writing, and enable them to be enthusiastic, responsive and
knowledgeable readers, so that they can speak, write and read standard English fluently and accurately.
Our mathematics syllabus, which is founded on the National Primary Strategy for Mathematics, includes an emphasis on mental maths and a sound grasp of basic computation and provides opportunities for investigations and practical work. Confidence in mathematics comes both from understanding the processes involved and from learning basic facts such as number bonds and multiplication tables.
The aim of primary science is to help children develop enquiring minds and an understanding of how to
approach and explore situations in a scientific way, while at the same time they build up an increasing store
of scientific knowledge. We encourage them to ask questions, and to set about finding the answers through
practical investigation. The activities involve making predictions, designing and performing experiments,
making careful observations, recording accurately, interpreting the results critically, looking for patterns and
relationships, and drawing conclusions.
We have a range of equipment from electronic calculators and tape recorders to digital cameras, camcorders, voice recorders and microscopes. We have a computer room as well as laptops which can be used in the classrooms.
These are used by all the pupils, who make use of databases, spreadsheets,
word-processors, presentation software and desktop publishing in the course of their work. In addition, computer simulations give
children experience in reacting to situations that they may not have encountered in real life.
Physical Education, including swimming, is an integral part of the curriculum, through which pupils learn to
develop their motor skills, control and co-ordination. The six areas of P.E. outlined in the National
Curriculum are games (including competitive team games), gymnastic activities, dance, athletic activities,
swimming, and adventurous outdoor activities. All children require a change of clothing, including a change
of footwear, for P.E and games lessons. Soft-soled plimsolls must be worn in the hall.
Pupils develop their understanding and enjoyment of music through performing, composing, listening and
appraising, and make appropriate use of information technology to create and record music.We have a strong musical tradition at Westdale, with a large choir and tuition offered to all on the recorder and a violin teacher visiting our school every week.
We teach R.E. in accordance with the aims and the structure of the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus, which, by law, reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Britain are in the main Christian, whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in this country. Arrangements will be made, if required, for parents to exercise their right to withdraw their children from collective worship or religious instruction.