Page 20 - link magazine

EDUCATION

Some parents may not have
noticed much difference yet, Making the
but primary school pupils are
just launching into their third the National
term of grappling with the
national curriculum In English,
t4 maths and science. We visited
three West Swindon primary that reading, writing, maths is what
schools to get an idea of how parents should expect from schools
they are doing. when in fact it has been the basis of
educating children for a long, long
time.

Coming at a time when schools "But it has made the teaching
have been bombarded with change profession reconsider what we
on all fronts, there is general ap- teach and how we teach it. The
proval, in principle, for the national introduction of new subjects like
curriculum. At the same time, there science and changes in teaching
Early learning about technology is a great deal of irritation amongst practices are stretching both the
A izrouv of six and seven year olds teachers that somehow the busi- pupil and the teacher. All the sub-
S.T.K. OAKWOOD at Oliver Tomkins Infants School, ness of teaching children and the jects are still taught within a topic
process of learning has just been in- based approach. For example,
from left to right, Joanne Lam-
SERVICES pard, Rebecca Tomkins, Jaclyn vented because the government of every class has been usingthe tenth
If it's in wood Cady, Jodi Hurcomb and Matthew the day has introduced a frame- anniversary of the school in proj-

ects, and this has brought forth
work for education.
Kingston. The classspent last term
TRY US studying roads and the traffic out- The recent publication ofa bright, writing, language, maths and sci-
Phone your local side their ten yearold school. They well illustrated leaflet explaining ence work."

looked at traffic signs and dis- the national curriculum at primary The requirement to teach science
CARPENTER & cussed safety issues. Then they level to parents by the National from the earliest days in schools
JOINER wrote up their finding on a com- Curriculum Council is seen as giv- and later this year technology have
puter, using graphs to illustrate ing this impression, not for what it presented teachers with the big-
Also a range of how heavily the road is used. tries to say, but how it says it.
gest changes and challenge.
handmade rocking In the technology session above, Trish Toogood, head teacher at Whereas science has tended to be
the pupils had to make traffic Toothill School, says there is an rather piecemeal in its delivery in
toys & Children's impression that the national cur- the past, the requirement of the
lights which stood up, using
Furniture straws and cardboard, and make riculum requirements are new to national curriculum forevery child
Swindon 529839 light bulbs work using batteries schools. "The national curriculum to reach 'attainment targets' means
does not introduce anything which that it is no longer left to chance.
and wire.
goes against oureducation philoso- "There's a great deal more con-
phy. Ninety per cent of what is tent and teachers have had to grasp
G. Stevens (Electrical) expected is what you would al- a lot of complex information in a
ready see in good primary schools. short time," said Mrs Williams.
Electrical Contractor & Fire Alarm Installations Mrs Anne Williams, presently "This has meant teachers taking
24 hour, 7 days a week call out service the longest serving headteacher in courses to increase their knowledge
-No job too big -No job too small West Swindon at the ten year old and to develop their confidence to
Oliver Tomkins Infants School, deal with subjects they might not
Are you looking for the ultimate In showering agrees with this view. "Much of have had contact with in the past."

what we've been doing under the The introduction of science also
experience?, or the sheer luxury of a National Curriculum for the last has great implications on young
controllable spa bath? or maybe you need two terms is what we're been doing pupils and on school funds accord-
the convenience of an instant electric shower. for years. It's irritating to be told ing to Mrs Toogood. "The national
Go on, spoil yourself! Studying sounds in science
Phone now for free survey. Toothill School pupils Alistair Gatrill, HaileyKing and Rachel Montier
have been studying the variety of ways sounds are made for the
-Quality work Guaranteed .Competitive rates science attainment target.
Tel: Swindon 870948 Below, they are pictured writing poems on the how musical sounds
are created.
¼) ¼, ¼) ¼? ¼) to ¼) ¼) ¼? iii) ¼) ¼) ¼?¼) ¼? ¼)'.) ¼)'.) ¼)'.) ¼)'.)
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
A
3
A Raymond Stansfield
) I.
A
A
A DECORATOR
with over 30 years experience.
A : 3
A
Craftsman in Paint and Decor
SPECIALIST in Paperhanging, Graining,
Marble, and Decorative Effects & Finishes.
A 'S
Telephone: (0793) 874299
All
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A. A A A A A. A. A A A A A A A A A A A A Ako A