THE REVISED NORTHERN IRELAND PRIMARY CURRICULUM

In line with the Revised Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum it is the aim of this school to:-

• Create a stimulating and challenging learning environment;
• Continually strive for improvement, working together towards common goals.

Nursery, Years 1 & 2 are in the Foundation Stage, pupils in Year 3 & 4 are in Key Stage 1, and pupils in Years 5 - 7 are in Key Stage 2.

St Columba's is very aware of its statutory obligation to deliver the Revised Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum to all of its pupils. The curriculum is made up of a range of learning areas which foster attitudes and dispositions. These incorporate assessment for learning which aims to promote and encourage learning experiences. These include the following:
 

WHOLE CURRICULUM SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
Thinking skills and personal capabilities	Formally Assessed Skills
Managing Information	Communication
Being Creative	Using Mathematics
Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making	ICT
Working With Others
Self Management
We plan to develop the following attitudes and dispositions :
Personal Responsibility	Concern for Others
Commitment/Determination/Resourcefulness	Openness to New Ideas
Self Confidence	Curiosity
Community Spirit	Flexibility
Tolerance	Integrity/Moral Courage
Respect
Assessment is central to our curriculum and involves :
Open relationship between learner and teacher	Individual target setting
Clear learning intentions shared with pupils	Taking risks for learning
Shared/negotiated success criteria	Celebrating success
Advise on what to improve and how to improve it	Peer and self assessment
Peer and self evaluation of learning

LEARNING AREAS
Language & Literacy	The World Around Us
Mathematics & Numeracy	Religious Education
Personal Development	Physical Education
The Arts

 

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES
To develop the young person as:
An individual, a contributor to society and a contributor to the economy & environment

The following is a brief description of the learning areas which make up the revised curriculum in St Columba's Primary School:

Language and Literacy Language and Literacy are fundamental in the development of each individual child's ability to interact, express and communicate with confidence.  Children's knowledge, skills and understanding are nurtured through a range of talking and listening and reading and writing activities.  Pupils in the Foundation Stage and in Key Stage 1 use the Oxford Reading Tree, Big Cat Collins and Rigby Star reading and language schemes with a variety of supplementary reading material. In Key Stage 2 pupils use an extensive range of class novels and supplementary reading material. The School library, resource areas and Interactive Whiteboards give children access to living books as well as computers, CD Rom’s and listening centres.

Mathematics & Numeracy The Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2 aim to develop the application of mathematics and numeracy across the curriculum and in real life situations. Children are encouraged to explore and investigate a wide range of purposeful activities. In all stages pupils are involved in making full use of electronic sources, practical materials and resources. Children are provided with valuable experiences which enable them to develop: processes in mathematics, number, measures, shape and space and handling data. The New Heinemann Mathematics Programme and Steps Programme as well as a variety of teaching texts are used by pupils throughout the school.

The World Around Us (Geography, History and Science and Technology)

The World Around Us throughout all stages is planned to connect learning across the three areas mentioned above. Children are provided with opportunities to develop their Literacy, Numeracy, ICT, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Interpersonal Skills through a choice of topics. At all stages children are encouraged to become active participants in the learning process, linking learning to current events.

The Arts (Art and Design, Music and Drama)

Children are able to express their ideas, feelings and interpretations of the world in diverse ways by developing their creativity through Art and Design, Music and Drama. Each individual is encouraged to explore and combine their own experiences with their imagination and natural curiosity. These are developed and built upon from year to year fostering children’s artistic, musical and kinaesthetic talents and intelligences. Throughout the year, many opportunities for children are offered for children to participate in role-play, assemblies, seasonal plays and concerts.

Physical Education

The PE curriculum includes games, athletics, swimming and dance. Through a wide range of physical activities children will develop their knowledge, understanding and skills by participating in a broad and balanced physical education programme.

Facilities for sport in the school our Assembly Hall, Multi-Use Games Area (M.U.G.A) and marked playgrounds for games such as hop scotch, rounders etc. The markings in the playground also allow for team games such as football, basketball, netball and athletics.  Swimming lessons are provided by qualified ASA swimming coaches at the Joey Dunlop Centre in Ballymoney. 

The range of sporting activities available to the children include; athletics, camogie, dance, gaelic football, inter-schools competitions, netball, playground games, rounders, soccer, swimming, archery and walks.

Religious Education

The Religious Education programme of study holds a central position within the school curriculum. Sacraments celebrated during primary school include:

• Reconciliation
• Holy Communion
• Confirmation

Religious Education seeks not only to impart knowledge but also to develop understanding of religious experiences, feelings and attitudes. It is concerned with the spiritual growth of the individual, both in relation to the school and parish community.  

In addition our Parish Priest Fr. Cargan celebrates masses throughout the year.  These may mark special occasions e.g. beginning of the year (September), Year 7 Thanksgiving Mass (June). These liturgies are made as relevant and meaningful as possible by encouraging the active involvement of the pupils, parents and staff. Prayer Services are held throughout the year for Nursery Year - 7.

All pupils follow the recommended Alive ‘O’ series. Pupils also have the opportunity to participate in the ‘Education for Love’ programme. Teachers pass on Christian values and beliefs through example and personal witness.

Our religious faith is also celebrated through numerous assemblies, concerts and outside events which occur throughout the school year. Parents and Grandparents of the participating class are always welcome to join us!

Our pupils fund raise for numerous charities showing generosity and concern for others less fortunate.

Personal Development Through Personal Development children will be encouraged to become personally, emotionally, socially and physically aware individuals. This in turn will enable them to become more confident and responsible when making decisions and choices throughout their lives.  Children will experience these skills and attitudes through: Personal understanding and health Mutual understanding in the local and global community	Structured Play Children in years 1 - 4 take part in Structured Play which is an important part of the learning process. Children have many and varied opportunities to learn and develop skills. They learn to express their thoughts and feelings through play. They satisfy their natural curiosity by exploring, experimenting and developing skills which will help them come to terms with the real world. Areas of play explored include: Imaginative Play Natural Materials - sand, water, dough, clay Construction Creative & Aesthetic
Special Needs Provision is made for children who experience difficulty in Literacy and Numeracy in the form of withdrawal sessions with our SEN teacher, Miss M Crozier. A small number of children with specific learning difficulties are well supported by classroom assistants and teachers from external agencies (e.g. LTSS). Parents are always consulted prior to the involvement of external agencies.
After School Activities We offer a wide range of clubs within school and after school. These include the following: Singing (choir) Athletics, Gaelic Football, Technology, Eco-Club, Netball, Drama, Dance, Soccer, Coding, iPads, Quiz and Camogie. The school also runs a cycling proficiency course each year.