Theseus and the Minotaur.

"This is a tapestry of Theseus leaving Athens on his way to slay the Minotaur."

A project linking Literacy with History and Art.

English

Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills are all taught within Literacy lessons that are linked, where possible, to other areas of the curriculum. For example, Years 3 and 4 have written non-chronological reports on the Romans and Years 5 and 6 have linked ICT, RE and Literacy to produce news reports on refugees. We regularly invite authors into school and in recent years, the children have been inspired by visits from Shoo Rayner, Robert Crowther and "The 2 Steves" . The children are also encouraged to take part in activities to celebrate events such as World Book Day, by dressing up as favourite characters from stories, and National Poetry Day, by reciting a poem.We have run successful whole school 'spelling bee' competitions.

Exploring the properties of 3-D shapes.

Maths

We aim to provide a lively and interesting Maths programme throughout the school, including opportunities to learn through practical maths. We have especially enjoyed using a range of computer programs and the interactive whiteboards to bring mathematics alive. Over the last few years we have been working hard as a school to help children develop their powers of mathematical reasoning and problem solving. Through a wide range of practical and discussion based activities, linked to our focus on speaking and listening, children have begun to become more proficient at these skills. In Year 6, the brightest mathematicians are taught once a week in an extension group, an exciting opportunity to challenge the children to the highest levels.

Collecting a soil sample.

Science

The curriculum is firmly based on practical experiences which give the children a good understanding of investigative work.

Children in Years 3 and 4 are offered the opportunity to go on a 3-day residential visit to the Wilderness Centre, Mitcheldean. The Centre provides practical teaching in subjects such as Science and Geography. This is a hands-on experience for the children which includes pond-dipping, studying habitats and orienteering. Wildlife Club, for the juniors, gives the children opportunities to take part in practical activities such as caring for the Wildlife area in the schools grounds.They also take part in the Gloucestershire schools wildlife quiz. Learning with Fun!

Using a Maths programme in the classroom.

ICT

Our ICT curriculum aims to teach children a range of skills which they are then encouraged to use in other subject areas. Government initiatives, and the support of parents through the Friends of Hartpury School and the Tesco Voucher scheme, have resulted in a wide range of hardware and software being available for the children to use. We have noticed an improvement in the standard of skills in the upper juniors, which we feel results from children having had access to regular ICT teaching and learning opportunities. A lunch time Computer Club, open to Years 3 and 4, offers children another chance to reinforce and practise skills learnt in lessons.

Creating a sculpture of a red deer stag.

Preparing a fresh fruit salad.

Art and DT

We have strong links with our local secondary school, Newent Community School, a Visual Arts College, through the Partner Primary Project. This aims to provide quality learning opportunities in art through the sharing of specialist staff, facilities and resources. Children in Years 5 and 6 have visited Newent to work on a ceramics project and to try screen-printing. Some of our gifted artists have also been selected to participate in a Summer School at Newent. Hartpury Primary School has acquired resources through the project to develop the use of ICT within Art. Our own Art Club, which is open to all children in Years 5 and 6, aims to offer a range of activities that extend the curriculum.

In DT children have the opportunity to study a broad range of technological projects: food, structures, textiles and some form of control, either mechanical or electrical. All children in Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to enter the KNex Challenge and the winning pair represent the school in the county final.

The Jungle Book

Music

Hartpury Primary School offers an exciting Music curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities. The children are given the opportunity to learn to play the recorder from Year 2 upwards and some progress to learning the treble and tenor in Key Stage 2. For many years children have been encouraged to enter the Cheltenham Competitive Festival and have achieved significant success, including many class winners. There are opportunities for pupils to perform solo and ensemble pieces in our Harvest and Mothering Sunday services in church, as well as in assemblies and concerts in school.

Peripatetic teachers come into school to teach violin, flute, clarinet and saxophone lessons. Children are encouraged to join the school orchestra which has performed to a high standard both at school events and Hartpury Village Fete.

The school has a long tradition of musical productions for children in all key stages. In recent years the infant children have entertained parents with Christmas productions an important part of our Christian ethos  and the juniors have performed a range of musicals at the end of the summer term, including "Macbeth", "Jonah-Man Jazz" and "Joseph". In 2008 the whole school took part in an amazing production of The Jungle Book which was performed on the stage at Newent Community School to enable all parents and friends the opportunity to see it at one sitting and to give the children the thrill of appearing on a 'real' stage!

Dragon dancing during One World Week.

PE

We are fortunate to be helped in PE lessons by students from Hartpury College who provide enthusiastic role-models for our children.

Our Games Club for children in the upper juniors is very popular, and children who attend regularly have the opportunity to be selected for school teams. We are very proud of the good sporting attitude shown by all our teams, as well as their sporting achievements. We have competed with much success in football, netball,swimming, cross-country running, rugby and in the GPJ multi-sport competition where children take part in, volleyball, unihoc, kwik cricket, tennis and athletics. All children have swimming lessons as part of the PE curriculum from Year 2 upwards.The older children run games clubs for the younger children at lunch time.

A residential visit to PGL for Years 5 and 6, and to the Wilderness Centre for Years 3 and 4 fulfil the outdoor and adventurous activities component of the curriculum.

Learning about the Tudors through drama.

History

The emphasis of the curriculum is very much on bringing History alive through visits and visitors. Year 5 and 6 investigations involve the English Civil war as part of a local study and Britain since 1930, both topics leading to visits and visitors. A study of the Romans in Year 3 and 4 is extremely popular, especially when it involves spending the day as a Roman. Artefacts from local museums also help to bring History to life for the infants. Children are asked to undertake personal assignments as part of their History studies, and the high standard of presentation and content is proof of the children's level of interest and learning.

 Some of the children and staff at St Georges Sianda Primary School, Kenya.

Geography

We have  reviewed our Geography policy and scheme of work and are including more initiatives and activities to make the work more interesting for the children. 

We are now endeavouring to make the most of our local environment to undertake more field work. Year 3 and 4 benefit from our links with St George's School in Kenya to help bring learning to life and this has included visits from students and teachers form St George's partner secondary school.As part of their work on a contrasting locality Year 5 and 6 visit Weston-super-Mare.

Our Arts Week each May features a different country or continent which the children explore through art, music and culture. We have 'visited' Africa, Australasia, India, Europe and China in recent years.

Maisemore Church.

RE and Worship

Children explore Judaism, Islam and Christianity through a programme of study that encompasses learning about religions and learning from religions, following the LEA guidelines.

We hold daily acts of worship in the form of class, key stage or  whole school assemblies, where we welcome visitors, make music, and celebrate the children's achievements. Our Harvest Festival, Christmas Carol and Mothering Sunday services are held in church, alternating between Hartpury and Maisemore.

A visit by the fire service. 

CPHSE

Circle time and CPHSE form a regular part of each class's curriculum, either as discrete lessons or as part of another subject. Where possible, regular visitors to school such as the School Nurse and police liaison officers are used to help us to deliver the programme. We have also introduced a One World Week to further develop multicultural awareness and understanding.

A letter from France.

Modern Foreign Languages

To encourage the children's interest in a foreign language, we have had a French Club at Hartpury School for the last 10 years.

The French Club has given children the opportunity to learn about the culture of France in an entertaining, informative and pro-active way. To expand the activities of this club, we have formed a link with a French Primary School in Chasne s/Illet, near Rennes, to enhance learning through personal contact.

Based on the educational value of the French Club, we have decided to timetable one French lesson per week for children in Years 5 and 6.We are at present look at ways in which we can expand our French provision throughout the school.