Literacy

We have a passion for good literature and we teach pupils to write accurately, correctly and with style and enjoyment. Attention is paid to developing grammar, spelling and punctuation, through exploring a wide variety of text types. We appreciate good presentation. At all levels careful, neat presentation of work is expected, including joined-up handwriting.

We immerse pupils in high quality text. Reading is so developmentally important and we believe the love of reading is key. Good writers are keen readers. We view your child’s reading as a partnership between home and school. Spending quality time reading and talking about a book at home is vital. At school, your child will participate in group, individual and whole class reading and development is closely monitored.

All children use our attractive and exceptionally well-stocked library to borrow fiction and non-fiction books for enjoyment and project work.  They learn library and research skills and are exposed to a large variety of material. We use the Oxford Reading Tree scheme.

We support pupils in becoming articulate and confident young people. We value debating skills, public speaking and real listening. We present children with frequent opportunities to develop these skills during their four years with us.

Mathematics

The school uses the new National Framework for Maths. The Framework places strong emphasis on quick recall and efficient strategies for solving number problems. We like to use what we do know to find out what we do not.

Effective Maths lessons are well paced, engaging and active. We place strong emphasis on ‘Maths outside the Maths hour’.  Just as Maths affects our lives, so opportunities should be created to explore Maths throughout the curriculum.

We encourage parents to read our detailed calculation policy and accompanying parents’ booklet (available on our website). We begin by ensuring a clear understanding of number and, when the child is ready, move on to more efficient calculation methods.

Science

Science at Fair Field is about investigating. We create opportunities to learn by doing and observing science in action. Investigation skills are transferable and prepare our pupils to be scientists in the way that they think and learn.

As a school, we invest in the resources needed to facilitate learning in smaller groups. This allows encouragement of co-operation skills and that every child experiences science first hand.

We know that continuity and progression in the teaching and learning of science is integral to pupils’ achievement. We have developed a clear investigation framework that is built upon year by year through the school. This means that children have consistent access to scientific vocabulary. For example, in Year 3, pupils will frequently use terms such as ‘prediction’, ‘method’ and ‘results’ in planning and carrying out their investigations. By Year 6, they will then be able to confidently discuss ‘dependent and independent variables’ and create fair tests with their peers.

Information Communication Technology

Fair Field was one of the first Hertfordshire Primary Schools to develop its own purpose built ICT suite and it is important to us that we stay at the cutting edge. We think of ICT as a rich and colourful tool, and enjoy using emerging technologies with innovation. Pupils are taught key skills, but then it is how these skills are used creatively that means our teaching and learning of technology is such a strength.

Children are taught a wide range of skills, including how to manipulate images, text and sound. They learn to design and populate databases and spreadsheets.  Pupils use their text and image manipulation skills to contribute to our website, writing articles for the community. They regularly use digital cameras to record their progress across the curriculum and produce podcasts of their written work to share widely through our website.

Religious Education

We aim for children to have real and meaningful understanding of faiths and beliefs from around the world. Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus. The activities develop children’s learning (i) from religions, and (ii) about religions. Children explore significant world religions and religious practice through drama and role-play. Each day, the children take part in a non-denominational assembly. Parents are reminded they may withdraw their child from attendance at Religious Education lessons and daily assembly.  A written request from parents will ensure that their wishes are respected.

Art

At Fair Field, children develop skills and confidence in a range of two and three dimensional media. Pupils express themselves creatively, and study the works and influences of great artists from a variety of periods. They work collaboratively on large-scale projects. They also work with artists to create pieces for local exhibitions, and to improve our school environment with murals.

Design and Technology

Our exciting Design and Technology curriculum was adopted in 2008. We have considerably expanded our resources to enable children to work individually or in small groups to design and make high quality products. During the design process, considerable emphasis is placed on research and thorough product testing. Pupils are taught skills and techniques for handling equipment correctly and offered a wide range of materials with which to work.

Geography

Pupils explore, compare and contrast a variety of localities. We provide opportunities for the children to discover their local community. Our visits to York and Devon are practical field trips to research settlements and physical features. Children are taught about the political and physical geography of Britain and the world.  They also consider the effects of human activity on the environment. Pupils learn mapping skills, information retrieval, practical observation and the recording of events or features.

History

Our history curriculum is alive, rich and enquiry-led. A strong emphasis is placed on acquiring the transferrable skills which historical study encourages: an understanding of continuity and change; of cause and consequence; of why historical events can be interpreted differently and how historical sources can be used. Pupils are taught a wide range of historical periods, from early civilisations such as the Greeks and Romans to modern history, such as Britain since the 1930’s.

PE & Games

We are proud to have achieved the National Sports Mark 2008. At Fair Field, we strive for sporting excellence, and teach the importance of activity in promoting a healthy lifestyle. We ensure that pupils access excellent facilities, including an all weather cricket pitch for cricket, extensive playing fields for outdoor sporting activities and a large indoor hall. Games is taught by professional coaches. All children regularly participate in basketball, football, tag rugby, cricket, rounders, athletics, gymnastics, swimming, hockey and dance.  

Modern Foreign Language

French is taught to children in all years. We have a dedicated language space for role-play, where children can visit a French café, or discuss booking a train ticket to Lille at the station. Children learn French at Fair Field by using the language, and are confident speakers. The learning then builds on the crucial oral confidence the pupils gain, in order to begin to write in French in the upper school.

PSHE and Citizenship

At Fair Field, we believe that everyone is both likeable and capable. This simple statement permeates the way we treat and look after each other. Personal, Social & Health Education and Citizenship are integral to our school ethos. We have recently undertaken a significant project to determine our shared school values.

The school has recently introduced new SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) materials to support all children to develop the skills and awareness to become more confident and independent in their own learning. The Headteacher leads a weekly SEAL assembly, and the content forms an integral part of the pupils’ discussions in their class. In PSHE sessions, children are taught about a variety of issues, including preventing bullying and promoting friendship and self esteem.

We have excellent relations with our community. We work very closely with our Police Community Support Officers to keep pupils safe. Our trip to Hazard Alley raises awareness of road, water & fire safety and other potential hazards.

Fair Field is committed to achieving Healthy Schools accreditation in 2010. We teach the importance of healthy eating and the impact of exercise. In addition, years 5 and 6 also receive drugs education and information regarding the changes that occur during puberty.  We always work especially closely with parents around this time and obtain permission before this study begins.

Music

Music plays a very important part in the life of the school, both within the curriculum and outside classroom hours. Children receive a rich variety of musical experiences. They learn to understand and appreciate different styles, by listening, singing, composing and performing their own work and handling musical instruments.

Pupils have the opportunity to receive private instrument tuition, on an individual or small group basis. A large proportion of children currently take additional music within the school and lessons are taught in clarinet, flute, guitar, recorder, piano and saxophone.  Members of the choir also perform in the community and at a number of local venues. Each year all children are involved in the Carol Concert and we have two annual and highly esteemed musical productions.