Antrim Primary

The Curriculum of the School is designed to give a broad and balanced education to all
children and to present all children with experiences suitable to their current stages of
development. All members of Staff participate in its plan and design.
All classes are of a single age group and mixed ability. The following subject areas and
cross-curricular themes are taught within each class
Mathematics, Science and Technology, English, History, Geography, Art and Design,
Music, Physical Education including Swimming in P.6 and P.7, Religious Education,
Education for Mutual Understanding, Information Communication Technology, Health
Education and Cultural Heritage. We also encourage our pupils to take an active interest in
the local environment.
For P.E. each P.1 - P.6 class is timetabled for our School Hall/Gym and P.7 classes make
use of facilities at Antrim Forum (average P.E. time 1 hour per class per week).

Special Educational Needs Provision

Care is taken at all times to match the curriculum provision for all pupils to their particular
stage of development and to take account of any particular difficulties or special talents
which they show. The Special Needs Co-ordinator and part-time support teachers will
assist with matters relating to children who find difficulties with class work. Where thought
necessary we will, after consultation with parents, seek further advice from the School
Psychologist.

Religious Education

Religious Education is taught within each classroom and at Assembly. It is Bible based
and appropriate to the core syllabus for Northern Ireland; it is non-denominational in
character. Parents have the right by law to have their child wholly or partly excused from
Religious Education and or Collective Worship. Parents should make contact with the
Principal if they wish to exercise this right.

Music

Music plays an important part in the life of our School. All pupils receive a good all-round
musical education and from P.4 onwards learn to play the recorder. In Primary 5 those who
show aptitude may be selected to play an Orchestral Instrument and later to become
members of our School Orchestra. Pupils playing orchestral instruments receive tuition
from members of Staff and from visiting peripatetic teachers from the N.E.E.L.B. Some
children may progress to membership of the N.E.E.L.B. Orchestras.
Pupils who show aptitude in singing are encouraged to be members of our P.6- P.7 School
Choir.

Health education (to include Drugs Education)

The school operates a comprehensive programme of Health Education which provides our
pupils with the opportunity to develop positive attitudes towards keeping healthy. Our pupils
learn about the factors that contribute to good health, including diet, exercise and hygiene;
and also about the harmful effects of substances such as tobacco, alcohol and drugs. A
detailed Drugs Education Policy is in place. Parents are asked to keep the staff informed of
any pupil's health problems. A confidential register of serious health problems is
maintained. Essential medicines may be administered on completion of a Parent
Request Form (available from the office).

Homework

We encourage all our children and parents to spend some time each evening reading
together and discussing books and topics of interest. In addition we set homeworks most
evenings, Mondays to Thursdays. We ask parents to monitor the work and, where
appropriate, sign the completed/attempted piece of work.

Estimated times for Homework:
P.l-P.2 Omins
P.3 15mins
P.4 30 mins
P.5-P.7 45mins
These times will, of course, vary according to each individual child's ability and speed.

Assessment

The progress of our pupils is monitored daily by the class teacher and further evidence is
gained from a variety of regular class tests. Communication to parents is made through a
First Month Indicator report, Parent - Teacher consultations in November, a Second Term
Update report at the end of January, an Open Night in the Spring and a full written report in
June. P7 pupils also receive a Record of Achievement at the end of June.

Baseline Assessment, involving parents and P1 teachers, takes place in the first few
weeks of Primary One.

End of Key Stage Assessments (P.4 & P.7) take place in Term 3. The results of these will
be reported to parents. They will have no bearing on transfer at 11. This is decided in P.7
when all pupils are given the opportunity to sit two Transfer Tests. We ensure that pupils
are fully prepared for all their tests and parents are invited to a Transfer Information Evening
when children are in Primary 6.

Pastoral Care
Each child is a valued and important member of our School Community. We take a pride in
ensuring a happy, caring and secure atmosphere based on mutual trust and respect; one
which will stimulate learning and be reflected in all aspects of School Life. We also greatly
value the excellent relationships with our families which have built up over many years.
Where any concerns exist on the part of either staff or parents it is normal, in most
instances, for these to be resolved quickly and amicably through discussion.

In instances where a matter may require more than a brief discussion, an interview should
be arranged before/after school - it is not in anyone's interests to try and hold such a
meeting at a busy classroom.
Parents requesting such a consultation should do so through the class teacher or Principal
as appropriate.

Bullying

Bullying is not normally a one-off incident but something which occurs over a period of
days, weeks or sometimes longer. A detailed policy is in place and we encourage pupils
and parents to share any worries of bullying with us. We endeavour to deal with all
situations of concern as quickly and effectively as possible.