We follow Read Write Inc in Reception and KS1 to teach letter sounds and reading. There are lots of helpful videos for parents on the Read, Write Inc website on how to help your child at home with phonics and reading.
The Broader Curriculum
At Springwell Park we offer our pupils a broad and balanced curriculum. Our curriculum reaches far beyond the classroom, we provide opportunities for children to participate in a number of events and activities designed to both enhance the delivery of the statutory National Curriculum and provide learning opportunities beyond the statutory requirements.
This section of the website gives a brief outline of some of the curriculum enhancements that we provided during the 2018-2019 academic year.
If you would like to find out more about the curriculum we teach at our school please ask a member of staff.
Sports
All classes receive quality PE sessions delivered by our Sports Coach (Little Sports Coaching) including a variety of sports such as gymnastics and tag rugby. In addition to this we offer pupils the opportunity to take part in a number of competitive events both in school and out of school. In 2018-2019 school competed in the following:
Move it Programme
Y5 have the opportunity to take part in the Move it programme run by Sefton Active to promote a healthy lifestyle. Pupils take part in a six week programme of weekly exercise sessions as well as learning about healthy eating and keeping a healthy mind and body.
http://www.activelifestyles-sefton.co.uk/move-it/
Bikeability
Y5 pupils have the opportunity to take part in the Bikeability cycle training programme.
The programme is about gaining practical skills and understanding how to cycle on today’s roads. Bikeability gives everyone the skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling.
There are three Bikeability levels, each designed to improve cycling skills, no matter what is known already. Levels 1, 2 and 3 take trainees from the basics of balance and control, all the way to planning and making an independent journey on busier roads.
Tackling the Blues
School are involved with the Tackling the Blues programme which is a sports-based programme targeting young people aged 8-14 who are experiencing, or are at risk of, developing mental health problems, Tackling the Blues is run in partnership with Everton in the Community, Edge Hill University and Parenting 2000. The sessions include competitive and non-competitive activities which have been associated with positive behaviour change among those experiencing mental illness.
http://www.evertonfc.com/community/health-and-wellbeing/the-projects/tackling-the-blues
Dance
In addition to PE all classes also receive high quality dance tuition from our dance teacher from Merseyside Dance Institute. Last year Y2 pupils performed a dance linked to Florence Nightingale as part of MDI's showcase presentation.
Pupils are also given the opportunity to take part in the Wally Cain dance festival each year.
Music
Our music provision is a strength of our curriculum and played a significant role in us achieving the Silver Artsmark in Autumn 2016. All children in Key Stage Two classes have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Year 3 learn the recorder, Year 4 a brass instrument and Years 5 and 6 the drums all taught by Music teachers from Sefton Music Support. In addition to this children had the opportunity to take part in the following curriculum enhancements:
Music week is also held every two years when pupils experience a concert a day from a variety of different genres of music.
We were also delighted that 4 of our pupils took their Royal College of Music grade 1 trombone examination this year and passed.
Debt Aware
Y5 and Y6 receive financial education from Debt Aware. Debt Aware believes that if children start learning the basics at an early age, they will be confident about managing money as they grow up. Pupils learn why it makes sense to save for things you want but don’t need, what borrowing means, how credit works and the risks involved.
http://www.debtaware.org/about-debtaware/why-do-we-need-financial-education/
Safe Skills
'Safe Skills' is a preventative education resource which aims to improve the safety of young people in our community in relation to the risks associated with grooming. The programme is delivered to Y6 pupils by our pastoral team. The programme is designed to develop young people’s resilience in order to protect themselves against these risks by using films and interactive skill based activities about grooming behaviours and controlling relationships.
http://www.arieltrust.com/ariel-launch-new-cse-resource-safeskills
Gangs Project
As part of transition Y6 work with James and the 'Get Away N Get Safe' gang prevention programme. The programme is designed to ''educate, inspire and empower young people to take control of their future by rejecting the gang lifestyle"
http://getaway-n-getsafe.co.uk/
Professor Fluffy
As part of our work on raising aspirations school are involved in the Professor Fluffy programme The Professor Fluffy Roadshow is a two hour programme which aims to raise awareness and aspirations of university. The children get an insight into what being a student is like, what courses they can study, where they can go to university and what happens at graduation.
http://www.professorfluffy.co.uk/
Positive Footprints
As part of our work on raising aspirations Y5 have been delivering the Positive Footprints program.
The personal development programme allows self-discovery, raises aspirations, opens up the world of work, builds resilience, character and self-esteem.
https://www.positivefootprints.co.uk/
After School Clubs affiliated to Children's University
School offer a variety of extra curricular clubs. In 2018-2019 the following clubs were on offer:
Residential to Coniston
Y6 pupils are given the opportunity to go to Conisiton Water Park for 2 and a half days. Coniston Water park is situated in the idyllic location on the banks of Coniston water in the Lake District. Pupils get to experience activities such as ghyll scrambling and sailing. Water park's mission is:
“To help people achieve more than they think is possible”. We will do this by “Developing confidence, raising self esteem and increasing an awareness of self, others and the environment through positive learning experiences in new, challenging and supportive environments.“
Along with raising aspirations and exploring new activities pupils also develop life skills of independence, resilience, team work, organisation and self awareness.
http://www.waterparkadventure.co.uk/
Science Week
Every year we hold a Science week which is launched by an assembly or wow experience. Throughout this week pupils carry out experiments and investigations within class. Pupils also have the opportunity to visit local secondary schools to take part in Science sessions.
Magical Maths
Professor Poopenshtinken is a regular visitor to school and has been involved in previous Maths Day activities. Pupils have the opportunity to attend Magical Maths after school clubs. The club provides mega-fun maths learning sessions with a different theme each week. The club is designed to challenge pupils and develop their problem solving skills in Maths.
https://magicalmathsclub.com/what-we-do/school-clubs
School Council
All pupils are given the opportunity to nominate themselves to be in the school council. Pupils prepare speeches promoting their skills and qualities for the role of school council representative. A polling day is then held in school with all pupils casting a vote and posting this vote in the ballot box. The successful candidates then take on the role of class representative. The school council have played an active part in the following activities: