Opportunities to learn

Opportunities abound for good learning, for helping the enquiring mind to grow. We have a traditional curriculum which emphasises reading, writing and mathematics, and which sets ambitious targets for pupils, while also catering for those who find some aspects of learning difficult. However, to ensure a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum, we also place a very strong emphasis on the teaching of Science, Humanities and creative subjects.

Pupils are taught 6 periods per day for 45-60mins duration. Years 3 and 4 are mainly taught by their form tutors but supported by specialist teachers in Drama, Music, Modern Languages, Sport and ICT. Teaching in Years 5 and 6 takes a similar format, although from Year 5, pupils are ‘set’ in three groups for Mathematics. This enables pupils to work at their own pace, according to their ability and the teaching staff are able to give more individual attention to those who specifically need it. Year 5 and 6 pupils also receive specialist Science teaching in the designated and well equipped Junior Science Laboratory.

All Junior pupils’ progress is monitored through Challenge Targets, which enables positive individual targets to be set with the aim of fostering and encouraging ambition. Further details can be found in the Parent Handbook.

The ALNCO and well qualified teaching assistants support the delivery of the curriculum to ALN and MAT pupils, as well as working closely with the teachers, in particular the Learning Support team. Specialist schemes of work and intervention programmes are followed which help indiviudals make the desired progress. This might involve working with a pupil on a one to one basis and/or in small groups. Much careful discussion and planning takes place amongst the staff to ensure the best possible teaching and the best use of resources are implented.

Children experiencing some educational difficulty are treated sympathetically and monitored carefully. Discussion and close consultation takes place between pupils, parents and the school.

To supplement the curriculum, visits are arranged to local landmarks, including Llandaff High Street, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay and Caerleon Roman Museum. RS visits to local places of worship including the Mosque, Hindu Temple and Synagogue are organised, as well as Geography field trips and Science trips to Bristol Zoo, National Museum & Galleries of Wales, the Edward Jenner Museum, the National Botanic Gardens of Wales and the Science Discovery Centre and Planetarium at @Bristol for Years 5 and 6. The Junior Science Quiz team has enjoyed success in the National Science Quiz, securing a place in the final twice in the last three years, finishing third in the UK this year.

Trips further afield include a weekend trip to York, day trip to London, an overnight stay in Stratford and a five day visit to Normandy.