The Curriculum at Heron Hill Primary School

At Heron Hill we are continually developing and enhancing the curriculum to provide enjoyable, interesting and relevant opportunities for learning. Our aim is to provide a broad and enriched curriculum where children learn because teachers and children alike are enthused and have fun.

Nursery and Reception classes follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with a smooth transition into Year 1 throughout the summer term, at an appropriate rate for each individual.​
​English and Mathematics follow the National Curriculum whilst making links from and to other areas. Traditional subjects of Science, History, Geography, Music, Art and Design Technology are covered through cross-curricular themes and often involve experts visiting school or educational visits to relevant places both locally and further afield, from Kendal parks to inner city residential experiences.
Computing is taught following the National Curriculum and Information and Communication Technology is used by teachers and children to support all areas of learning. Our state of the art facilities include plasma screens or interactive whiteboards in every learning area, a dedicated ICT suite for 30 children and many classroom PCs, laptops and other technological equipment.
Sex and Relationship Education is taught mainly through the science aspects of our curriculum. For the younger children it is dealt with sensitively, as appropriate situations arise within themes such as “ourselves” and “visits to the farm”. From Year 2 onwards a more formal, age appropriate approach is followed with some sessions delivered separately to girls and boys. Parents are informed about the content of these lessons and they may choose to exercise their right to withdraw their children from specific aspects of this teaching.
​Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is taught through specific sessions and more discreetly through Religious Education. Moral obligations and caring attitudes are developed and the whole school regularly supports charitable organisations locally and internationally. All children take part in assemblies which sometimes include collective worship, hymns and a prayer. Parents who wish to withdraw their children from assemblies or Religious Education lessons should contact the class teacher to discuss alternative arrangements.
Phonics
We follow the government's 'Letters and Sounds' programme across the school. Children work through phases appropriate to their level of development.  Children in Nursery and Reception follow the 'Jolly Phonics' scheme, which puts actions to sounds, in order to help them to remember them.  For more information about helping your child to learn their phonics sounds, speak to your child's class teacher.  See also the 'Phonics Play' link under the 'Learning Zone' tab on this website.