Language, Literacy and Communication
At Ysgol Llandrillo yn Rhos we are committed to equipping learners with the ability to use Welsh, English and British Sign Language. There is a large focus on developing oracy skills, as these skills are essential to development and learning as they touch every aspect of the curriculum. Listening is equally essential to all language development, being linked closely with discipline and good classroom management.
The basic skills of writing are constantly taught and re-taught throughout the school. Vocabulary is always being extended, children being encouraged to use new words in a meaningful way. Spelling is an important skill fostered from early stages through school in a variety of ways, both formal and informal.
Parents can do much to foster good reading habits. Reading starts in the comfort and security of the arms of loved ones, on the settee when stories are read, long before children can read independently. Reading should be projected as fun – as a pleasurable experience giving enjoyment – as a means by which we can learn.
We inspire our children to develop skills in speaking and listening, reading and writing. We help them to express themselves imaginatively and communicate effectively. We encourage them to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction and media texts.
Although very few of our children come from homes where Welsh is the first language, we endeavour to nurture a healthy attitude towards Welsh as a second language and to promote its survival as a living tongue. We use bi-lingual signage and displays and reward the use of incidental Welsh within the school. The development of the Welsh language continues to be a priority in our school.
We have a thriving ’Criw Cymraeg’ and have seen an increase in the numbers (and success!) of pupils entering the various Eisteddfodau competitions.
As part of the New Curriculum for Wales, we have been encouraged to learn an additional language, for which we chose British Sign Language. The children are learning signs within the classroom, and using them to communicate.
Mathematics and Numeracy
Numeracy is a proficiency which involves confidence and competence with numbers and measures.
Our approach helps our children to problem solve and think in abstract ways.
From their early years children develop their knowledge and understanding of mathematics through practical activity, exploration and discussion.
Throughout Key Stage 2, children experience an increasing range of mathematical situations in different contexts, and also use the concrete, pictorial, abstract approach to consolidate their learning.
Humanities
History fires our children’s interest about the past. They see how it has influenced the present, learning within a chronological framework of significant events and people. It includes the social, cultural, religious and ethnic diversity of the societies studied and children gain a better understanding of themselves, both as individuals and as members of society. Use is made of local places of historical interest.
Geography encourages children to find out about the natural and human worlds. They develop knowledge of people, places and environments in different and contrasting locations locally, nationally and abroad. Through their studies, our children develop an understanding of maps and a range of investigative and problem solving skills.
This encourages them to think about their own place in the world and their responsibilities to other people and environments.
Religious Education is taught following the Agreed Syllabus. It promotes spiritual development and contributes to moral and social development and helps in the acquisition of personal values and beliefs, and respect towards those of other beliefs.
We meet together regularly for Collective Worship.
All children are expected to take part in Religious Education lessons and a daily act of communal worship, which is of a broadly Christian nature, unless a special care exemption on religious grounds is made in writing to the Headteacher.
Expressive Arts
Art and design stimulate creativity and imagination providing visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. Our children explore the work of artists, craftspeople and designers, learning about the roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life and in different times and cultures.
They learn to make informed judgements about works of art and their own artwork. For our part, we celebrate their work, displaying it throughout our school to create a colourful and stimulating environment.
Music and song are a powerful and unique form of communication that change the way we feel, speak and act. Children are given opportunities to gain delight, enjoyment and satisfaction from music. Our teaching promotes pupils’ ability to listen to and appreciate a wide variety of music, as well as to make judgements about musical quality. All children from Year 1 to Year 6 will learn the basics of playing the recorder. Instrumental Tuition includes Violin, Brass, Woodwind, Flute and Guitar.
Science and Technology
Science extends and develop the pupils’ understanding of the world around them.
We involve them actively in a scientific approach to learning which develops the processes of observation, data collecting, experimentation, classification, interpretation and recording.
We also teach children about how technology works and how to use technology to solve problems.
Digital Competency
We have interactive whiteboards and pupils can access a wide variety of iPads and laptops within and outside of their classrooms.
In an ever changing world of technology we want to give our pupils the best start possible.
Health and Wellbeing
We aim for our children to be healthy and confident individuals who enjoy taking part in sporting activities.
Our children take part in a wide range of activities, including dance, cycling, gymnastics, games, athletics and swimming. Such activities promote skilfulness, physical development and knowledge of the body in action.
They also provide opportunities for our pupils to be creative, competitive and to face up to different challenges as individuals, in groups and as a member of a team. All activities offered are of mixed sex groupings and all children are given equal opportunities in the selection of representative teams.
Children can also take part in a range of sport after school in clubs. Arrangements for these are sent out every year.
The majority of our children have the opportunity to take turns to go swimming from Year 4 onwards. Teachers have been trained to deliver Physical Literacy throughout the school.
Personal and Social Education promotes children’s health, well-being and safety.
It is a planned programme of learning opportunities and experiences that help children grow and develop as individuals and as members of families and of social and economic communities. It equips them with knowledge, understanding and practical skills to live healthy, safe, fulfilled and responsible lives.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We also offer a wide range of activities after school, including Ipads, rugby, cricket, running, rounders, mindfulness, football, cookery, gardening, art, netball, playground games, drama, music and choir.
