National Curriculum foundation subjects
Art and Design
The children are encouraged to be spontaneously creative, using a variety of media and techniques in art and craft work. An awareness of colour, shape, balance, focus and proportion are developed alongside the use of symbols to convey ideas and feelings. The study of a wide range of artists and designers complements this work.
Design and Technology
Through Design and Technology, the children are encouraged to identify, examine and solve practical problems and to make existing situations better. The children are encouraged to be inventive, using a range of tools and materials, thus developing, modifying and evaluating their ideas through a series of projects.
History/Geography
These subjects are brought to life by using artefacts and local studies to help develop an understanding of how our society and culture and that of others around the world have developed. An appreciation of the influences of people, time, place, conditions and events in the past and present is developed through specific units of work. Visits to a variety of places of interest are encouraged in order to enhance studies undertaken by the children.
Music
Children have the opportunity to enjoy musical experiences through listening, performing, singing and movement and dance. Children are offered tuition by the local authority peripatetic staff to play a range of musical instruments. At present the children can learn keyboard, violin, recorder and guitar.
Drama
This subject is used across the curriculum to stimulate interest and to develop understanding and empathy in a variety of situations. Drama is a useful and versatile tool in the development of language and in building confidence. School plays and productions allow the children to gain a sense of audience for the skills they have acquired.
Personal, Social and Health Education, and Citizenship (PSHE)
PSHE and Citizenship help to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, responsible citizens. This important area of the curriculum deals with such matters as general hygiene and cleanliness in order to promote health of mind and body. An awareness of sensible diet, care of body, fitness and drug abuse are amongst some of the issues addressed.
A sex education programme for children in Key Stage 2 is taught during the summer term.
The school actively promotes healthy lifestyles and the need for pupils to have a good diet and regular exercise. In this respect every child in the school has a piece of fruit during the mid-morning break.
In recognition of this commitment the school has been accredited with the Healthy Schools Award.
Religious Education
Religious education is given to all pupils in accordance with the East Sussex Education Authority’s Agreed Syllabus. The syllabus is Christian and non-denominational, but recognises other spiritual beliefs. If parents do not wish their child to be taught the agreed syllabus or to take part in the acts of worship which are held at school, they should let us know so that the child can be excused.
Assembly, including Collective Worship, is held every day and the vicar of Iden and Playden parish churches usually leads the worship once a week. We celebrate Harvest, Christmas and Easter in both churches and the Leavers’ Service in the summer term takes place at Playden church.
Physical Education
The school aims to develop control, co-ordination and mastery of the body, learnt through action, sensation and observation. Opportunities are provided to grow and develop through dance, athletics, games and swimming. Children use the hall facilities of a local primary school for gymnastics.
Football and netball clubs are run one day a week after school. The school is a member of the Schools Sports Partnership and participates in local football, netball and cricket tournaments and matches. Children also have opportunities to take part in cross country running, badminton and tennis. Athletics skills are practised in the summer and children take part in local events, including our own sports afternoon at Iden Playing Fields.
During the summer extensive use is made of the heated school swimming pool and all children in Key Stage 2 swim once a week at the Rye Sports Centre.
The school has recently received the Activemark Award for P.E.