Foundation Subjects

Tubbenden Primary School believes in providing a creative curriculum that inspires everyone at the school to reach their potential. To help us deliver a curriculum that is unique to Tubbenden, we use The International Primary Curriculum. The goal of the IPC is for children to focus on a combination of academic, personal and international learning. We want children to enjoy their learning - develop enquiring minds, develop the personal qualities they need to be good citizens of the world, and develop a sense of their own nationality and culture, and a profound respect for the nationalities and cultures of others. Most of all, we want children to develop all the skills they will need in order to confidently face the world of tomorrow. The IPC is a creative curriculum providing a cross-curricular, thematic, rigorous teaching structure designed to engage children of all abilities in today’s world. It combines the foundation subjects, such as Science, History, Geography, Art and Design Technology into topics. The IPC topics cover traditional subjects such as ‘Habitats’ and ‘Myths and Legends’ but also newer and more creative ones such as ‘Chocolate’ and ‘The Rainforest’. As well as being unique and inspirational, the topics are designed to meet the aims of the National Curriculum.

ICT

At Tubbenden the children make use of a wide range of information and communication technology applications. They learn to apply their skills in word processing, data handling, graphics and controlling devices. Through the use of a variety of programmes, these skills are used to enhance work produced in other areas of the curriculum. The school is linked to a large internal network which gives pupils access to their own files, printers and other multimedia devices and this is also connected to the internet via a ‘fire wall’ to provide appropriate access and protection. Pupils have access to laptops to encourage them to use their research skills in other areas of the curriculum. The school is developing a virtual learning environment which will allow families to learn alongside their child at home. It will also allow families to see some of the work their child has been doing at school.

Music

Music is a subject that encourages active participation. The requirements of the National Curriculum are met through class based music activities. The school currently runs choirs for both infant and junior children. Both choirs perform in our local community. The Juniors also have a thriving band. Peripatetic music teachers give individual or group tuition on a weekly basis to children in Year 3 to Year 6 and, in special circumstances, to pupils in the infants.

Sex and Relationship Education

It is the policy of the school that Sex and Relationship Education will be specifically taught as part of our Personal, Health and Social Education lessons. Further details are available from the school office.

Religious Education

Religious Education contributes to children’s spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual development. Children are encouraged to respect the religious commitment of others and accept that people have the right to hold different religious beliefs. The school teaches RE in line with the legal requirement, by following the agreed syllabus of the London Borough of Bromley. It is felt that all children, whatever their personal beliefs and commitments, can study RE in line with this syllabus.

Assemblies/Collective Worship

We aim to ensure that the broad traditions of Christian belief are reflected in our daily worship and that all our assemblies reflect values which would be acceptable, not only to Christianity, but also to most other religions. Our collective worship will not be narrowly Christian, nor will it be distinctive of any particular denomination and we shall make no assumptions about the children’s personal commitment to Christianity or any other religion. We also hold regular Special Mentions Assemblies to celebrate good work or behaviour to which parents are invited.

Right of Withdrawal

Our intention is that Religious Education and Collective Worship, as well as our Sex and Relationship Education, shall be inclusive activities, respecting the integrity of all concerned. Children may be withdrawn from these activities, but we encourage parents to discuss this fully with the Head Teacher before coming to a final decision.