Using ICT, along with Communication and Using Mathematics, is one of three statutory Cross-Curricular Skills that form part of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
"ICT across the curriculum has the potential to transform and enrich pupils' learning experiences and environments. It can empower pupils, develop self-esteem and promote positive attitudes to learning. The creative use of ICT also has the potential to improve pupils' thinking skills, providing them with opportunities to become independent, self-motivated and flexible learners. Pupils should be enabled to develop Using ICT skills by engaging in meaningful and purposeful activities, set in a range of contexts. They should use ICT to handle and communicate information, solve problems, pose questions and take risks."
(Using ICT, NI Curriculum)
We are fortunate in Broughshane Primary School to have interactive whiteboards in every classroom, Surface Pro + devices, an iPad caddy and a computer suite of 30 laptops. Years 4-7 are timetabled to use the computer suite weekly and iPads are available across the whole school daily to allow for digital devices to be integrated into all areas of work.
Our school system as a whole is networked and fitted with appropriate programs to enhance the opportunities afforded to each child. We plan for the improvement and appreciation of ICT skills along with the promotion of Internet Safety. ICT is linked to all other areas of the curriculum and regular tasks are undertaken to include the 5Es of explore, express, exhibit, exchange and evaluate.
We focus our ICT lessons on the 7 Desirable Features within the NI Curriculum of:
- Computational Thinking and Coding
- Digital Art and Design
- Digital Audio: Music and Sound
- Digital Storytelling: Film and Animation
- Digital Storytelling: Presenting
- Digital Storytelling: Publishing
- Managing Data
Year 7 children also have the opportunity to apply for the role of a Digital Leader. This involves working alongside Mrs McIlvenna (ICT co-ordinator) to support the use of iPads and to further the development of ICT in school.
In Broughshane Primary School, we believe that pupils’ literacy skills are key to educational progress, to social integration and to personal development and happiness. This is reflected in the emphasis staff place on providing a supportive, stimulating and secure learning environment, combined with effective teaching and good classroom practice.
Language and Literacy is a combination of three main skills: Talking and Listening, Reading and Writing. Language is a basic medium of communication, thinking and learning. In Broughshane Primary School we believe that Talking and Listening provides the foundations upon which the educational development of our children is based. We provide our children with many opportunities to learn through talking and listening from early years through to KS2. These include Circle Time, listening to stories, debates, School and Eco meetings, taking part in assemblies, drama, etc.
The written word is one of our most common ways of communicating and reading is a fundamental and vital skill. Through reading and access to a variety of reading materials, children can discover new things. Books, magazines and the internet are great learning tools which require the ability to read and understand what is read. Children live in an age where there is an overflow of information, but reading is the main way to take advantage of it. With access to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts it develops the imagination and creativity. We aim to encourage a love of reading through visiting the local library, visits from local authors, celebrating World Book Day and welcoming the Scholastic Book Fair. This is a much-loved event which not only promotes reading for pleasure, but also helps us to raise funds and keep our reading resources up to date.
The process of writing is another essential tool in the learning process. We believe that our pupils should learn to write in a variety of styles and for a variety of purposes and audiences.
To be effective in writing it is essential that children are competent spellers. In our school we have a systematic phonics programme, Read, Write, Inc by Ruth Miskin, which children commence in Yr1. The focus on phonics continues until Yr 7, with pupils in KS2 learning words with focused sounds each week, learning definitions and writing words with context to encourage understanding.
We endeavour to provide a wide range of experiences across the curriculum, to create literate pupils who can use language to think, to explore and to communicate their ideas in the classroom and in the outside world.
“Numeracy is the ability to apply appropriate mathematical skills and knowledge in familiar and unfamiliar contexts and in a range of settings throughout life, including the workplace.
It involves the development of:
- An understanding of key mathematical concepts and their interconnectedness;
- Appropriate reasoning and problem solving skills;
- The proficient and appropriate use of methods and procedures (formal and informal, mental and written); and
- Active participation in the exploration of mathematical ideas and models.” (Count, Read: Succeed 2010)
The areas of Mathematics in The Northern Ireland Curriculum are:
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Foundation Stage |
Key Stage 1&2 |
|---|---|
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Key Stage 1 & 2
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Numeracy teaches children how to make sense of the world around them by developing their abilities to reason with numbers, calculate and solve problems. We encourage each child’s enjoyment of this subject by allowing time for investigation and exploration and by demonstrating its role in our everyday lives.
Through practical activities the children explore features of shape and space, develop measuring skills and an understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented.
From Year 1 onwards, each class engages in daily mathematical activities and lessons which regularly include mental arithmetic, practical work, playing mathematical games, using mathematical computer games, programs or websites, as well as informal and formal written work.
We also use an excellent range of mathematical resources and engage in regular events such as Maths Week, to engage our children in an interactive and exciting way.
The World Around Us is one of the six Areas of Learning within the Northern Ireland Curriculum. It focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in relation to Geography, History, Science and Technology. At Broughshane Primary School (BPS), we adopt a ‘Connected’ approach to our WAU themes/ topics in each year group and make relevant connections with all other areas of the curriculum.
We aim to provide abundant opportunities for enquiry-based learning whereby pupils’ natural curiosity is fostered, deepening their understanding of the world in which they live. From as early as Primary 1, our pupils are encouraged to ask thought provoking questions about why things happen and explore their environment to seek out answers.
We are very fortunate to be able to enhance pupils’ learning in this area through our ECO garden which facilitates outdoor learning opportunities. Moreover, we regularly engage in school trips and projects involving external agencies. Organisations include Emergency Services, RLNI and the London Museum. These opportunities bring learning to life for our pupils and build connects between in-class learning and the real world.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and trying new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
Physical Education is the education of the ‘whole child’ in skill, understanding and behaviour, through physical activity.
In Broughshane Primary School we believe that Physical Education is essential to the development of the whole child. It provides a strong foundation for a healthy lifestyle, promotes self-esteem and fosters good behaviour. Through active participation, it also allows children to develop their understanding of co-operation, fairness and respect for others.
Principles
Through our use of a wide range of teaching strategies, we aim to deliver a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated P.E. curriculum relating to the Northern Ireland Curriculum. We aim to provide our pupils with a fun, enjoyable, secure and stimulating learning environment which will meet the needs of each individual child.
At Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, pupils will develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in four activity areas:
- Games
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Athletics
In Key Stage 2, pupils will participate in the same four activity areas with Swimming introduced as a fifth activity area.
Where possible P.E. will contribute to and enhance other areas of learning, e.g. Language and Literacy (listen to, describe and evaluate movements), Mathematics and Numeracy (use number, distance, time to improve quality of movements), The Arts (respond to Music, Art and Design and move creatively), The World Around Us (investigate how the body works), PDMU (working with and respecting others).
RE in the primary school can be defined as being about developing children's awareness and understanding of religion. It focuses on encouraging each child to become informed and inquisitive about their own religious beliefs and practices and those of others. This is so that, over time, they will grow as citizens of a religiously and culturally diverse local and global society, aware of similarities and respectful of differences.
An awareness and understanding of religion should help children to:
- make sense of the world around them
- think about universal human questions
- begin to shape their own attitudes and values
- be aware of and respect the different views of others
- understand the important routines of life for many people, such as worship, prayer, seasonal festivals
- be aware of how people mark important stages if life such as birth, growing up into adulthood and death
- develop an understanding of how moral choices are made.
RE can play an essential part in the personal, moral, cultural and spiritual development of children, while developing those skills, capabilities, attitudes and dispositions which they will need for life and work in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world.
The Northern Ireland curriculum is informed by the pivotal idea of helping young people to achieve personal fulfilment and individual well-being by living successful lives. This means success in worthwhile activities and relationships in which they have freely engaged and which they pursue wholeheartedly.
P.D.M.U. stands for Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
P.D.M.U. AT FOUNDATION STAGE
It is important that children’s social and emotional development prior to coming to school is recognised and built on during the early years. Children should continue to be encouraged to form relationships with adults and other children, and to develop their self-esteem and confidence.
Teachers should help children to become aware of the world beyond their immediate environment and to learn about others from a basis of tolerance, respect and open-mindedness. They should encourage them to understand similarities and respect differences in people in the local and wider community.
P.D.M.U. AT KEY STAGE 1 & KEY STAGE 2
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PD&MU) focuses on encouraging each child to become personally, emotionally and socially effective, to lead healthy, safe and fulfilled lives and to become confident, independent and responsible citizens, making informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives.
