Upper KS2: Elm

We try really hard to set a good example to the children in Key Stage 1 by following our school values of being determined, kind, respectful, honest and we believe in ourselves.  We believe that our school vision of 'Bees fly high in the sky, so why shouldn't I' underpins the ethos of our class.  We are striving towards greater independence and getting ready for high school, this is reiterated by a greater emphasis being placed on homework in Elm class as we prepare the children for both their SATs and KS3.  We expect all pupils in UKS2 to act as school ambassadors and play a larger part in school life, such as conducting tours of the school during open days and chairing the school council to ensure a fair and even democracy.   We are a fully inclusive classroom, we celebrate uniqueness and we encourage all pupils to embrace diversity.  This is excellent preparation for high school and life outside of our small school.

The children are rewarded in Elm Class in a variety of ways; we use the zone board daily and the children get golden tickets when they move into gold.  The golden tickets are part of a termly raffle.  We also earn ‘fluffies’ and when the jar is full the whole class gets a reward.  We also look forward to being nominated for tea with Barnabee, our school mascot…the cakes are delicious!   We also have a ‘Wonderful Work’ board in our classroom that is updated regularly.  Positivity and a can-do attitude will always be championed in Elm Class and rewarded accordingly.

We follow the National Curriculum 2014 for all of our lessons. Our day is made up of fun and interesting lessons where we learn key skills to help us achieve our best in all that we do and bring the curriculum to life.  During UKS2 we have dedicated lessons for each curriculum area.  For example, this term our focus is ‘Materials’ in Science and 'Ancient Greece and Alexander the Great' in History.   Due to mixed year classes our learning pathways operate on a two year cycle. These learning pathways have been carefully put together by staff in school to ensure they suit our pupils' needs and are sequential. The pathways are available to view on the website too.  School Trips are planned carefully to ensure purpose and intent, we have a wonderful trip planned to kick start the academic year 2022/2023! 

In Elm Class, we have a specialist teacher for Music, Mrs Martin. We have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and have a set of class ukuleles.  As a school we love to perform and do so as often as we can.  At the end of the year, we always put our singing skills to the test with a whole KS2 production!

After SATS in May, Elm Class takes on a special challenge: Project Apprentice! The class are split into groups and challenged to come up with a way to turn £10 into as much money as possible in just one week. Past groups have sold cakes, prepared staff lunches, made fruit smoothies, put on carnival events in school, run lunch-time craft stations, even manufactured their own stress toys and washed cars. Project Apprentice culminates in a presentation to a board.  All profits raised and put towards subsidising our own residential and school trips.

In PE we have sessions with Worcester Warriors, Worcester Cricket Club, Kidderminster Harriers and many more, that supplement our usual lessons. We play fun tournaments with local schools when they are available. We will have the opportunity to swim in the summer term and always look forward to sports day.

 Keep checking back to our class page as we try to update it throughout the year. 

Miss Waring and Mrs Oliver.