In English & supported throughout all subjects, we aim to empower & enrich our children’s vocabulary & so prepare them for the next stage in their educational journey (& beyond) so that no child is hindered or held back by a deficit of language as a result of deprivation. We want them to be able to articulate themselves & their learning through a wide bank of subject specific terminology as well as being creative & innovative in their speech & writing. We aim to inspire our children to become fluent, confident life-long readers who can discuss the joy of literature as well as develop their own style & expression through wide opportunities for writing.
How to help your child
At St Mary's, we believe that the education of your child is a partnership & want your child to enjoy & progress in their learning whilst being supported from every angle!
In order to help you help your child, we would encourage you to read with your child on a daily basis, help & support them with their homework as well as make learning fun in everyday ways as they grow & experience new things.
Homework
Whilst the government no longer prescribes a set amount of time for homework, the benefits of parental help with homework have long been acknowledged.
Homework should never be seen as something which limits family time & opportunities for play & sport. What we want is for parents & school to work together to help our children in a relaxed & fun manner in order to boost our children’s overall confidence & progress. The old guidelines used to suggest an hour a week for five to seven-year-olds, gradually rising to 2.5 hours per night for pupils aged between 14 and 16.
At St Mary's, we like our children to read at least 3 pages of their reading book on at least 5 evenings out of the week, to complete given spelling & Maths tasks as well as to do home learning projects from the homework menu.
We never want our children to be stressed by homework, however, & class teachers are always available for any help, advice or to discuss any issues that you may have.
Home Reading & Spellings
Home Reading is so very important! We aim to ensure that every child leaves us not only with the necessary reading skills but also with a love of reading for life!
You can download some high frequency word sheets and flashcards used in school, which you can print off for use at home.
High Frequency words for reading and spelling
Next 200 High Frequency words for reading and spelling
ONLINE RESOURCES
Some of these resources may be useful as a way of giving your child extra support at home in a fun way!
utpup for maths (tables and number bonds at all levels) and spellings.
Topmarks covers most subject areas.
Primary Games for maths and maths and literacy.
Teaching Tables (subscription needed).
Play Kids Games general online educational games.
BBC Schools has lots of ideas, such as typing (dancemat typing), bitesize, words and pictures, raw (ideas for developing reading and writing).
Phonics Play interactive games with letter sounds.
Spell Anywhere – practise weekly spellings
Roy the Zebra – long vowel sounds games for example.
Maths Whizz – Virtual Online Tutor
Maths is Fun – Maths activities
Speech Therapy Activities – speech and language help.
Special Needs Direct – Supporting children with special educational needs
Dyslexia Action – Supporting children with Dyslexia
Sweet Counter – Resources for special needs children.
Task Master online – various resources
Bright Minds – educational toys & games
Learning Resources – social, emotional, speech & language, motor, sensory, visual
Learning Development Aids – most special needs.
Primary Teaching – rewards.
Space Kraft – multi-sensory learning.
Dyslexic.com – literacy, memory, typing.
Cross Bow Education – Literacy and handwriting.
Power of Two – Maths.
Black Sheep Press – speech and language.
Anything Left Handed – resources for left handed children.