Windrush Valley Prep School Oxfordshire – Year 4

Mrs Maudsley BA(Ed) Hons

Assistant Head – Pastoral and Compliance. Designated Safeguarding Lead, and Year 4 Class Teacher.

In Year 4 the children are encouraged to work with greater independence and become more responsible for their personal belongings and organisation. They are self-setting targets, both academically and socially, which enables them to be reflective, recognising their strengths and areas for further development. The school values of compassion, resilience and tolerance continue to be embedded through the curriculum and day to day life within the classroom. Subject specialist teaching is introduced in Year 4, where the children have specialist teachers for History, Geography, French, Latin and PSHE/RE.

Academic Studies

English and Maths continue to be taught on a daily basis. The core objectives are based on the National Curriculum with each child being set individualised targets to meet their academic needs. The focus in English continues to be independent writing, introducing and using a range of sentence structures and grammar concepts. Spelling sessions consolidate the expected standard and understanding of the Year 3/4 common exception words and spelling patterns and rules. Whilst the children continue to develop their comprehension skills, the use and identification of inference becomes a stronger focus as the year progresses. Children are encouraged to work with greater independence and take risks in their learning journey.

The creative curriculum including Art, Design and Technology are taught on a half-termly rotation. Within these lessons, the children are encouraged to explore: a range of media; different artists and styles; construction techniques; computer programming and design tools, whilst developing the skills to plan, design and evaluate their own and others’ work.

History is taught by the History specialist teacher/ Year 6 teacher Mr Hone, with a chronological approach to teaching and learning.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts continues to develop the children’s confidence to speak publicly and work collaboratively. Rehearsals for the annual school play is a key event in these sessions along with the highly regarded English Speaking Board examinations. Independent study and project work is introduced as the year progresses and the children are given the opportunity to develop research and presentation skills.

Sport – Games/PE/Swimming

Sport continues to play a key role in the Year 4 timetable and the children move to swim on a Tuesday morning with Key Stage 2. Two sessions of Games, provides the children with the opportunity to develop further, their skills and understanding of rules in a range of sports. As the children enter Year 4, there is a greater opportunity to enter and compete in competitive fixtures, including fixtures at inter-school and National schools level.

Our World –Science and Geography

Science and Geography are taught on a 2-year rolling programme, incorporating key objectives from the National Curriculum. Our outdoor learning area provides an environment where topics such as habitats, animals and plants can all be studied first hand, and planned experiments and investigations are key in all topics covered. Geography focuses on both the physical and human aspect of our world and themes incorporate our locality and contrasting locations across the globe.

My World

My World lessons support and develop the social, emotional and well-being of every child. The lessons consist of a combination of the PSHE curriculum and the RSE curriculum. Each child is taught to value and respect one another and celebrate differences and strengths, developing self-esteem and a positive growth mind-set.

Educational Visits/School Trips

In Year 4 the children have the opportunity to join the school’s annual residential to either France, Holland or the UK. Residentials provide a wonderful experience where the children are able to develop independence and for some, encounter an extended period of time away from home. The residential provides an opportunity to experience an insight into the culture and history of different regions and countries and also experience the fun attractions it has to offer.

Homework

Year 4 homework is set in a variety of subjects to broaden the scope of experiences children have. To ensure we do not lose the development and progress in core skill learning, we request that all children have a regular reading time at home – for up to a further 1 hour per week. Homework will be set every Friday and returned the following Thursday, unless directed otherwise. The children will also receive weekly spelling and tables tests which will take place every Thursday.

Suggested Reading List

Link to suggested reading list.