Curriculum
We teach through the six specific areas of learning set out in the Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum.
1. Language and Literacy
Literacy focuses on developing each child’s ability to understand and use language as an integral part of learning in all areas in order to interact effectively with the world around them, to express themselves creatively and to communicate confidently, (through talking and listening, reading and writing), using a variety of skills and media. Language and Literacy are fundamental prerequisites for thinking, learning and interacting in personal, social and work contexts throughout life. Literacy is therefore a key to learning as well as a key to enjoyment and personal growth.
2. Mathematics and Numeracy
Numeracy is the development and application of mathematics across the curriculum and in real life situations. Skills in numeracy help children to make informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives. Throughout primary school, children should engage in a wide range of purposeful activities which should involve them in different modes of mathematical learning, including playing, exploring and investigating, doing and observing, talking and listening, asking questions, reflecting, drafting, reading and recording.
3. Arts (including Art and Design, Drama and Music)
Creativity is developed through every area of the curriculum. Art, Design, Drama and Music provide rich opportunities for developing creativity - allowing children to express their ideas, feelings and interpretations of the world in diverse ways, through pictures, sound, drama and dance. From a young age children should be involved in a wide range of activities that continue to develop their imagination and natural curiosity, and that allow them to express and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings with confidence. The greater the encouragement to express themselves freely through Art and Design, Drama and Music the greater likelihood there is that children’s individuality, imagination and creativity will blossom.
4. The World Around Us
Children are naturally curious and often ask profound questions about themselves and the nature of the world around us. The purpose of this Area of Learning is to help children explore and find age appropriate answers to some of these big questions from the perspectives of geography, history, science and technology.
5. Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding focuses on encouraging each child to become personally, emotionally and socially effective so that they will lead healthy, safe and fulfilled lives.
They will then become confident, independent and responsible citizens, making informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives.
6. Physical Education
Through a broad and balanced Physical Education programme, children develop their knowledge, understanding and skills, enabling them to participate and perform competently and confidently in a range of physical activities. All children experience a sense of fun, enjoyment and achievement through a variety of progressively challenging and innovative activities.
Physical Education provides rich opportunities for children to think in different ways, to be creative and imaginative, allowing them to express their feelings and interpretations through a variety of movement contexts. They have opportunities to explore, plan, practise, improve, perform, evaluate and appreciate the performances of themselves and others.
Using ICT across these six areas of the 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.
Our teachers integrate learning across these six areas, where appropriate, to make relevant connections for children. They are flexible in their teaching and select from within the learning areas those aspects they consider appropriate to the ability and interests of their pupils.
