Our programme for learning follows the principles of the Primary School Curriculum, 1999, Department of Education and Science, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Further information on children’s learning for parents can be found at ‘The What, Why, When and Where of Childrens’ Learning in Primary School’ ( www.ncca.ie).
Our school plan is a statement of the educational philosophy of our school, its aims and how it proposes to achieve them. It outlines both curriculum objectives and methodologies and the organisation of the school’s resources, including staff, space, facilities, equipment, time and finance. Our plan covers two main sections, namely curricular and organisational planning. The first outlines the curriculum to be implemented in the school. The second describes a range of policies and practices which largely have to do with the administrative aspects of school life.
Formulation of our school plan is an on-going process and the plan itself is a working document with expert input from teachers, parents, pupils, outside professionals and agencies. It requires regular updating and review in line with DES initiatives and circulars. An example of this is the introduction of the new Primary Language Curriculum and the new Primary Maths Curriculum.
Curricular Planning Includes:
- An individual plan for each subject area taught. The plans can be accessed here.
Organisational Planning Includes:
- A range of policies on different organisational and procedural aspects of school administration, e.g. Child Protection, Code of Behaviour, School Admissions policy, Anti- Bullying, etc.
- For a comprehensive list of St. Thomas' JNS policies see here.
Curriculum
The Primary School Curriculum , Department of Education and Skills (1999), informs all aspects of teaching and learning in our school.
The curriculum is presented in seven areas.
Language: Gaeilge and English
Mathematics
Social, environmental and scientific education (SESE): history, geography and science
Arts education: visual arts, music and drama
Physical education
Social, personal and health education (SPHE)
As a school with a Catholic ethos, Religious education is also taught. The Grow in Love Religious Education Programme is used. Roman Catholic pupils are prepared for the sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion.
Assessment
Assessment in primary school is about building a picture over time of a child’s learning progress across the curriculum. The teacher uses different ways to gather evidence about how and what the child learns on an ongoing basis. This information is used to celebrate the child’s current learning and to help make decisions about next steps for future learning. Our school uses a range of assessment supports as part of daily classroom practice. Information from assessments is used by teachers to report about a child’s learning progression to parents at formal and informal parent-teacher meetings and in the annual school report card.
Standardised tests are administered in 2nd class and scores are shared with parents in the child’s report card. For more information on understanding Standardised scores, please click on the following link https://ncca.ie/media/1400/english_tip_sheet_sten.pdf