Curriculum for Excellence

Curriculum for Excellence aims to achieve a transformation in education in Scotland by providing an improved, more flexible and enriched curriculum for all children and young people from 3 – 18. The curriculum includes all of the experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated.

All schools and nurseries in North Lanarkshire are working hard to raise standards so that children and young people will develop all of the skills necessary to continue to be successful when leaving school and entering the world of higher education, training, or work.

Curriculum for Excellence is underpinned by the values inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament – wisdom, justice, compassion, and integrity. The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities – to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen, and an effective contributor.

Primary Curriculum

 

Literacy and Language (including Modern Languages)

 

In Glenmanor Primary we follow North Lanarkshire Council’s Active Literacy approach. The four main outcomes of Literacy and Language are Reading, Writing, Talking and Listening.  These skills are developed within Literacy lessons and throughout many other curricular areas.

P1-3 ~ The children are engaged in active literacy activities which develop independent skills, confidence and competence. Literacy activities include phonics, spelling, reading, and writing. These activities develop talking and listening skills involving a variety of resources and activities such as dictation, whiteboards, magnetic letters, sequencing cards, games, and use of ICT. The children work in a variety of ways; as a class, in groups, independently, with a trio or in pairs. Some tasks involve direct teaching, others will not.

Traditional tales and core novels are used to model the writer’s craft and form a basis of many of the writing activities the children undertake. The resources used include Story World, PM Readers, Literacy Links and Lighthouse books.

P4-7 ~ Children use an integrated, cross-curricular approach to novel studies. Children read independently within groups. Each novel is accompanied by a set of focused activities, which use an active approach in addressing the four outcomes of English Language. The resources used include Literacy World, Pelican Reading,  Big Books and Literacy Links books.

As part of the school’s development of Scottish Governments 1+2 programme for Modern Languages, German is taught from P1-7. The development of vocabulary and skills is planned progressively across the stages. This language is continued in the Third level of the curriculum at Chryston High School.  French is currently being introduced in Primary 5 to 7.

Numeracy and Maths

Children learn basic number skills, i.e. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as developing problem-solving and practical skills and knowledge. Each child follows a comprehensive programme, which is suitable to his/her age and ability in line with the levels of a Curriculum for Excellence.

Oral and mental maths have a significant role to play in developing mental agility and time is spent on this area of maths in each class on a daily basis. An active approach is employed in the teaching of Numeracy and Mathematics.  A variety of resources are used to assist the teaching and learning including Heinemann Active Maths, Teejay Maths, Big Maths and Scottish Heinemann.  Other materials available in the school include Number Talks and various computer programmes/apps.

Health and Wellbeing

Learning in Health and Wellbeing ensures that children and young people develop the knowledge and understanding, skills, capabilities and attributes which they need for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and in the future.

Each class participates in two hours of PE every week. Glenmanor Primary School is a Health Promoting School.  We have currently achieved Gold Level and are now working on our maintenance agenda through our Health Promoting Schools Committee. We encourage our children and families to make healthy choices in diet, exercise and emotional well being.  Children follow NLC guidelines on health education and skills and understanding are naturally extended from P1-7.

We also deliver a personal and social development programme of study throughout the school.  This aims to:

• Enable pupils to develop a positive regard for their own needs and the needs of others
• Develop life skills that allow pupils to participate effectively and safely in society
• Give pupils opportunities to recognise how their own and society’s values affect their thoughts and actions
• Encourage pupils to take increasing responsibility for their own lives

Social Studies

The children participate in a variety of social studies topics, developing knowledge and skills relating to people in the past, people and place and people in society.

We adopt an enterprising approach to our topics ensuring pupils are making decisions and solving problems.

Sciences

In science, skills are taught through investigations of living things and the processes of life, energy and forces and earth and space. Emphasis is laid on the children’s discoveries in their local environment and they are encouraged to use all local sources in their research including home background information.

We are an Eco School and are committed to improving our school environment and making a positive contribution to global community issues.

Technologies

Our children are trained in ICT skills using Apple Mac computers, iPads and iBooks.  They are given opportunities for skills reinforcement, and to develop knowledge and ability in using hardware and software, the internet, email, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, painting and drawing. Children also have opportunities to use interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, and remote control toys.

Expressive Arts

Children are helped to develop skills in Music, Drama,  Art and Dance to extend and encourage a progression of skills. These skills may be integrated in a cross-curricular way to enable pupils opportunities to

transfer and apply the skills they have learned e.g. “A Night at the Movies”

NLC guidelines are implemented and evaluated to show progression and effort in:

• Using materials, techniques, skills and media
• Expressing feelings, ideas, thoughts and solutions
• Evaluating and appreciating

Religious and Moral Education

Our programme focuses on Christianity and other world religions, namely Islam and Judaism. Moodiesburn Centre Minister, Mr Mark McKeown, undertakes a programme of religious observance at assemblies, leads church and school services and makes pastoral visits to classes throughout the school year.

Mark McKeown leads our special termly assemblies. We hold an ecumenical Christmas and Easter service with Glenmanor and St Michael’s Primary School choirs. We celebrate Easter and hold an end-of-term celebration service for our P7 pupils.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from both religious education and assemblies. Please notify the Head Teacher in writing if this is the case.