Foundation Subjects

 

This webpage shows Foundation Subjects only. Click here for Core Subjects.

 

Design and Technology

Design and Technology prepares children for the future by encouraging them to look critically at their surroundings and improve them. The children develop creative ideas based on specific criteria and communicate their designs in different ways. They work with tools, equipment, components and materials, combining their practical skills with a thorough understanding of the technical possibilities. Children can draw on their knowledge and understanding from other areas of the curriculum. Work can be carried out individually or in groups, so improving pupils’ ability to operate as members of a team.

Pupils are encouraged to evaluate their own work and that of others and by doing so they learn to express their opinions in relation to the design criteria. We aim to help children enjoy making things that people want and that work well.

 

History

 

We aim to develop, in the children, an awareness of the past and of the way in which it differs from the present, as well as a sense of chronology. Children will study historical sources of different types and learn about important episodes and developments in Britain ’s past from Roman to modern times. They will investigate local history and changes in everyday life as well as ancient civilisations and the history of other parts of the world.

Educational visits are an important aspect of our work in this area to bring the subject alive to children.

 

Geography

 

In geography, children are made aware of the world around them and encouraged to take a caring approach to looking after the planet. They will study different localities and physical features, which will enhance their knowledge and understanding of place and of patterns and processes. Through enquiry they will find out where places are, what has shaped them, how they change and what might happen in the future.

We endeavour to relate geographical studies as closely as possible to first hand experience through fieldwork both within the locality and further from home.

 

Art

 

Art offers children the opportunity to develop their creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world.

The children are given opportunities to use colour, form, texture, pattern and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers and learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in their own lives and in different times and cultures.

 

Games & Physical Education

 

Our teaching seeks to provide opportunities for children to discover the physical potential for their own bodies through a variety of physical experience. Emphasis will be placed on skill development and team work. We also aim to develop the functional, creative and social aspects of movement and encourage the children to learn the skills necessary for increasing their body control in the areas of gymnastics, dance and games. All children take part in all aspects of this curriculum and again the school is well-equipped.  Every class has two hours of timetabled P.E. a week. During Key Stage Two, children receive swimming instruction at Green Park in Aston Clinton.

 

Music

 

Music is an important part of the curriculum. Skills learnt in music help children to achieve well in both literacy and numeracy.

In musical activities, the children develop understanding and enjoyment through learning to perform and compose and appraise their own music. We aim to increase the children’s knowledge of musical history and music from other cultures by encouraging them to listen and appraise live and recorded music. The school has a good selection of musical instruments for classroom use. 

In addition to the normal musical curriculum we have a tradition of excellent extra-curricular opportunities in this field.  There are several recorder groups run by members of staff and children joining these are expected to provide their own descant recorder.  From year 3, children have the opportunity to learn an orchestral instrument during school hours - tuition is provided by Aylesbury Music Service and is charged at a subsidised rate.  The school has a small stock of violins and one or two other instruments but parents will be required to provide instruments.  Every child in one of these groups is expected to join an ensemble group which meets at lunchtime.  Year 2 and Year 6 children sing in the annual Liaison Music Festival.

 

Religious Education

 

R.E. is taught according to the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus. The aim is to enable children to learn about religion and from religion. In the course of their time at school children will learn about the major religions practised in the United Kingdom with most emphasis placed on teaching about Christianity.

It is our hope that our Religious Education Syllabus will lead to our children developing an understanding of and respect for cultures and faith communities other than their own. Parents have a legal right to withdraw their child from Religious Education; parents wishing to exercise this right must notify the school in  writing.

 

Personal, Social & Health Education and Citizenship.

 

Aston Clinton School promotes a whole school approach to the teaching of PSHE and Citizenship. Much of the work related to it will be taught in the general context of normal teaching and the everyday life of the school. However, children also receive specific lessons which aim to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. They will be encouraged to feel positive about themselves, work well with others and understand and respect other people’s points of views.

As part of our PSHE programme we encourage the children to raise funds for other charities, local, national and international.