Curriculum and Assessment

Curriculum 

At Belmont House the small class size allows the staff to get to know the needs of each individual and plan his/her learning experience appropriately. Should a pupil require extra support to achieve his/her potential then such support will be put in place via the Support for Learning Department and through tutorials with the class teacher. If a pupil requires a more challenging curriculum this will be developed in conjunction with the class teacher, the Support for Learning Department and class tutorials.

The Curriculum in the Junior School is viewed as a continuation of the Nursery curriculum and as part of the continuing curriculum into Secondary education. It is a progression from 3-18 and as such is flexible. We provide a coherent and well- planned curriculum that offers the pupils breadth and balance across all curricular areas.  The Curriculum provided meets the needs of pupils and prepares them for their roles in the society of the future. Our pupils are taught skills that will enable them to recognise their place in society, raise their self-esteem and ensure confidence and eagerness to learn in, and adapt to, an ever-changing world.

Educational visits and invited guests enhance and bring reality to what is being taught.  These are rintegrated into the everyday curriculum and add a personal and real-life perspective to the topic area that is being covered.

The importance of enterprise, citizenship, care for the environment, via the quest to become an Eco-school , and the global perspective are also important aspects of the curriculum and, rather than being an added extra, are taught as an integral part of the curriculum.  

Progression and continuity must be maintained by building systematically on the pupil's existing knowledge, concepts, skills and aptitudes, to ensure an orderly advance in capabilities over a period of time.

Assessment

Assessment is an important part of every day teaching and allows the teacher to evaluate how well each pupil, group or class is progressing.   Assessment is crucial to the planning of the ‘next steps' and should involve the pupil in self and peer assessment. It is also the basis for reporting to parents on the progress their child is making.

From J4 upwards the assessments are collated and progress is charted in the form of ‘Value Added' marks. This allows the teachers and school to closely follow the progress of each individual and be able to compare that progress with their Cognitive Ability. 

Methods of Assessment

A variety of methods are used throughout the Junior School, taking into account the age and stage of the children. Typically the following would be used;

  • Day to day class activities
  • Evidence from pupils' talk
  • Evidence from pupils' written work
  • Evidence from pupils' practical activities
  • Projects and assignments
  • Listening tasks
  • Setting and achieving short- term targets
  • End of topic tests