Our school aims to provide a rich, supportive and stimulating environment and an atmosphere of mutual respect, in which each child entrusted to our care, can reach their full potential by developing a love of learning and a desire to succeed .
September 2014 saw the introduction of the new national curriculum. We invested a great deal of time and energy to ensure that our new curriculum is unique to High Lawn in that it is specifically tailored towards the needs and interests of the children. Through the curriculum, we aim to prepare pupils for the opportunities, experiences and responsibilities of adult life and to lay a firm foundation for future learning. We seek to provide a broad, balanced differentiated curriculum and offer a wide range of exciting, challenging activities and experiences to all pupils irrespective of ability, background, ethnic origin or gender.
We acknowledge that people learn in many different ways and we recognise the need to develop strategies that allow all children to learn in ways that suit them. Opportunities are planned to cater for a range of different learning styles to ensure that all children can access the curriculum and learn in a way that is best for them.
In the Foundation Stage, a variety of structured play and practical activities are planned to help children develop in the following three prime areas of learning:
The framework can be found here: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Schools. We teach this framework through topics that excite the children; we gather their ideas through mind-mapping and plan according to their needs and interests.
As a school, we recognise the importance of reading for all children and therefore, have a comprehensive and thorough approach to the teaching of reading across the school including, daily phonics lessons in KS1. School follows the Letters and Sounds scheme of work for phonics and the Rigby Star reading scheme. Writing is taught through a topic-based approach, as much as possible, in order to provide purpose and audience for the children. Grammatical accuracy is embedded in the teaching of writing but also as a discrete element of the English curriculum.
The new Mathematics curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics including the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately. Children at High Lawn are taught to reason mathematically, solve problems and apply their mathematical skills in a variety of real life contexts.
In addition to English and Mathematics, children are taught to develop their skills, understanding and creativity in Science, Computing, History, Geography, Design Technology, Music, Art, Physical Education and Religious Education (which is based on the locally agreed syllabus). Additionally, Spanish is taught from Year 2 upwards. Violin tuition is also provided for children in Key Stage 2 who demonstrate a musical ability.
S.M.S.C. (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural) forms an integral part of the curriculum at High Lawn. It helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. All members of staff are committed to encouraging in the children a knowledge of right and wrong and to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
Children are taught about the community in which they live and are encouraged to work in co-operation with other members of the school community. Supporting charities, both local and further afield, is encouraged. All children are expected to undertake appropriate responsibilities within the class and school, e.g. caring for the classroom environment, participating in class assemblies and participating in out of school activities.
We aim to develop children's enjoyment, confidence and skill in physical activity and introduce them to the pleasures of sport to help develop active children who benefit from a healthy lifestyle. Through a multi-skills approach, children develop their skills in football, netball, hockey, rounders and cricket, as well as athletics, gymnastics, dance and swimming.
We enhance and enrich the curriculum through a variety of activities including educational visits, school performances, visitors to school, after school clubs and have excellent links with local High Schools.
High Lawn's curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of all our children. Many topics are brought together, where possible, and taught in a cross-curricular way, to maximise the use of time but also to make experiences more meaningful and provide children with a real context for learning. The high quality of I.C.T. equipment and software also means I.C.T. is an integral part of many teaching and learning experiences.
We build in opportunities to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all our pupils, especially through our daily acts of Collective Worship and our Religious Education scheme or work. Children are encouraged to develop their own beliefs. Throughout our assemblies, we deliver the S.E.A.L. scheme of work (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) supported by assemblies that promote a healthy lifestyle, staying safe, being good citizens, etc.
Daily assemblies are of a broadly Christian nature. Weekly key stage and class assemblies provide a time to address any whole school or class issues, along with a weekly celebration assembly to acknowledge success, both in and out of school.
Homework is used to extend school learning and also encourages children as they get older to develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study on their own. It provides opportunities for parents and pupils to work together and to enjoy learning experiences.
We are very proud of the wide range of extra-curricular clubs we are able to offer at High Lawn. These are run after school and at lunch times and are all well attended. Most clubs are run by our dedicated teachers and teaching assistants but we also have some clubs run by external coaches, for which there is sometimes a small fee.
Clubs which have recently been available have included: choir, Mathletics, science, creative club, book club, jigsaw club, baking, multi-skills club, entrepreneurs club, football, netball, cross-country, chess, gymnastics, philosophy, board games, cricket and computer club.
Our choir perform at many school functions and local events and we participate annually in the Primary Schools’ Music Festival held at Victoria Hall in Bolton.
Our sports teams compete regularly against other schools and we have a high reputation for success in a wide range of activities.
We firmly believe that the education of the children is a partnership between children, staff and parents. Support from home is vital in maximising children's chances of fulfilling their potential. In order to facilitate this partnership, we offer an open-door policy where parents are welcome to visit school to discuss their children's progress with staff at a mutually convenient time. Each class has three parents' meetings per year and reports are sent home at the end of the summer term.
In summary, our school curriculum aims to realise the full potential of each individual child and will be regularly reviewed. If you wish to find out more about High Lawn's unique curriculum, please speak to your child's teacher. Alternatively, you can contact the school office and make an appointment to meet with the phase leader or subject leader you require.