Curbar School aims to provide a well balanced, relevant and wide ranging curriculum which addresses the needs of each individual child.
Overview – Organisation and Teaching Techniques
The school’s curriculum, like that of all state schools, is governed by the National Curriculum, which aims to provide an education which is broad and balanced, promotes the spiritual, moral, mental and physical development of children. It will prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life (Education Act 1988).
Children are assessed according to the goals set by the National Curriculum, by written work, practical activity and discussion with teachers. Parents are invited to meet with teachers individually during the autumn and summer terms to discuss their child’s progress and are provided with a written report at the end of each academic year. We are happy to talk to parents about any aspect of their child’s school life at any time.
During the Summer Term children in years 2 & 6 take the National Standard Assessment Tests (key stages 1 & 2 respectively). The results are sent home in a report to parents then discussed at parents evening.
To support classroom activities and topics, children may be given work to do at home.
Core Subjects – English, Mathematics and Science
Curbar Primary School provides children with an introduction to and continuing development in reading, handwriting, spelling, grammar and comprehension. Progress is closely monitored by following structured reading schemes, whilst additional project work encourages creativity.
Children start to learn about the way things work in Science, which adds another dimension to their education.
Maths is taught systematically and carefully and high standards are reached in all three subjects.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of the way in which the National Curriculum is being taught, please contact the head teacher.
Information Technology
Curbar Primary School has invested considerably in new computer equipment and software over recent years. The children have Internet access via a secure network, part of the National Grid for learning.
Physical Education
Curbar Primary School aims to introduce all children to as many sports and outdoor activities as possible and all sporting interests are actively encouraged by the school.
Gymnastics and dance are taught throughout the school with weekly PE lessons at the village hall.
Currently all KS2 (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6) travely by coach to swimming lessons and Bakewell Swimming Pool once a week.
Games are taught to the lower and upper juniors and include football, unihoc and netball during autumn and winter terms. The summer term sees the introduction of cricket, rounders and tennis. Games lessons take place at Polly Froggatt playing field. Children have the opportunity to take part in competitive football and netball tournaments during the year. Chesterfield Football Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Team have provided Professional coaching
Each year children in Class 3 have the opportunity to visit White Hall Centre near Buxton. The children stay at the centre from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, usually some time in May and have the opportunity to try out a number of adventure activities, including abseiling, caving, canoeing and adventure walking.
Music
All aspects of music and singing are important features of school life at Curbar. Children throughout the school perform in a variety of productions and events during the year, ably accompanied by those who take lessons from the guitar, recorder, keyboard and violin.
Flute lessons take place on Tuesday mornings for Years 4, 5 and 6. This is largely funded by school but we would like a voluntary contribution of £12 per term for each child to help towards the cost. The flutes are provided on long term loan.
Mrs Hartley runs a recorder club for KS2 children after school on Mondays and we have a perepatetic piano, violin, oboe and clarinet teachers who give private lessons in school each week.
Art and Craft
Creativity is an important aspect of each child’s development and children throughout the school follow a carefully planned range of art and craft activities.
We are especially oroud of the work we have done with local artists who come to work with the children from time to time.
First Aid
Years 5 & 6 were taught St Johns Ambulance General First Aid Part 1, 2 and 3 in the Summer.
Activities
Curbar Primary School maintains traditional links with the area. The children learn about and become part of local tradition when they perform the ancient May Bough celebrations: singing, dancing and handing out spring flowers in local villages.
Most years the children take part in Harvest, Christmas and Mother’s Day services held in the adjacent parish church, methodist chapel or at Cliff College. Parents and friends are welcome to our services, concerts and social events. During the school year we plan a well balanced programme enabling parents to support their children by attending events, to work alongside staff on fund raising activities which benefit children and to join with staff and children at social functions.
Many trips are organised throughout the year to local museums and exhibitions. The older children also have the opportunity to participate in an adventure weekend during the summer term – the highlight of their year!
Parental contributions to activities within school are always very welcome – at times we have parents working with children cooking, on computers, arts, crafts, sewing, reading and equestrian activities. From time to time we join in national events such a World Book Day and Red Nose Day.
During each year, the school enters a number of externally run competitions. These give the children a wonderful opportunity to work together in teams and to really use the skills and ingenuity which we at Curbar consider to be so important to the children’s development. Last year two teams of children from class 3 entered and were overall winners of the Rolls Royce Engineering Design Challenge. Curbar is the only school ever to have won this Derbyshire-wide competition two years running.
We have stong links with industry and both Sheffield universities. Last year we did another topic about flight with Dr Mike Diprose, culminating in a visit to Doncaster’s historic air field, and welcomed lectures from Sheffield university who gave fascinating lessons about the heart and the brain. This year some children from class three are assisting with the Institute of Engineering and Technology Christmas Lecture at Sheffield Hallam University.
In addition to these visits we have close links with Sheffield Hallam teacher training department and have students in classes most years. Mrs Francis is a member of the Hallam primary advisory team and regularly interviews prospective teacing candidates at the university.