L5

In L5, the curriculum will include a wide variety of topics, as detailed below.

Language

All four elements of language - reading, writing, listening and talking - are taught. We believe in teaching spelling and there is a structured scheme in place, called Quota, in which children work at their own pace, setting their own limits. Formal comprehension work is continued, as are grammar lessons, which teach knowledge about language, punctuation and structure. This becomes increasingly important as children write at length in our creative and functional writing programme. Some of the language work revolves around topics which include, Dragons, Newspaper Reports, Scene Setting, Robert Burns and Islands. A novel study on ‘Adolphus Tips’ is also carried out.   

Listening and talking activities take place on a regular basis.

All pupils visit the school’s well-stocked Library each week where they receive instruction in Library Skills by our School Librarian and they take out books of their own choice for reading at home.

Maths

Maths is taught in ability groupings. This means that we can vary the size of groups, and the content and the pace of lessons to match the ability of the pupils. Our less able group is taught in a small group where pupils are given individual support and consolidation. Our most able are given a wide variety of challenges and problems to solve.  The core texts in operation are Heineman Level 5 and Maths in Action C and D, according to the ability group. 

Number work focuses on decimals, fractions and using numbers up to thousands.

Practical Maths lessons – covering shape, length, weight, volume and time - also takes place. Consolidation work within class consists of oral and written mental maths plus written number work.

Environmental Studies

In our teaching of Science, History and Geography, we aim to develop in pupils a curiosity and a greater understanding of their past and heritage and of the world around them. We develop their research and investigative skills as well as their analytical thinking skills and their evaluation of evidence. Much of the work will involve the pupils in discussion, in working as a team, in drawing on information from different sources or in practical experiments.

Topics covered:

Geography

Term 1   Mapwork – keys, plans, maps, use of an atlas and developing the child’s own mental map of the UK
Term 2   Natural Disasters – Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Term 3   Weather Study

History

Term 1   Battle of Hastings and the Middle Ages; Life in a Medieval Castle
Term 2   Life in a Medieval village and town (Scottish emphasis)
Term 3   The Wars of Independence; Battle of Bannockburn

Science

Term 1    Solids and Liquids
Term 2    Space and the Planets
Term 3    Minibeasts

RE and Personal and Social Development

Topics covered include Bible stories, the work of a church and a study of Islam.

PE

Pupils go on the bus up to Mayfield, our superb sports facility. There are two sessions each week, taught by specialist teachers, one focusing on indoor PE activities such as gymnastics, games and dance, and the other focusing on outdoor Games such as Rugby, Hockey, Cricket and Tennis. 

Music

Children are taught by a specialist teacher once a week.

Art and Drama

Art is taught within the classroom on a regular basis with specialist input on a rotational basis. The classrooms are bright with the exciting artwork on display. Drama blocks of 6 weeks are taught by a Senior School specialist on a rotational basis.

ICT

Pupils visit the ICT suite each week for a lesson with our specialist teacher. 

Homework

Parental assistance with homework is hugely beneficial. A homework diary details the homework required each night. Normally homework in L5 consists of hearing reading, learning spelling, learning multiplication tables and completing a short written exercise either in Maths or Language. Occasionally research work for an environmental studies topic will be set. Homework in L5 should not take more than 30 minutes per night.