1 Mar 2008 - EXPLORING THE 21ST CENTURY CURRICULUM AT NSC PRIMARY SCHOOL

NSC  Primary school is just one of thirteen schools in the area who, together with QECC  Community College, make up the Crediton Learning Community.  This group of schools works closely together to maximise opportunities for our children’s education. Each year we organise a conference for all members of the teaching staff, inviting top national speakers to address us all and give us food for thought.  This year, we were privileged to have Mick Waters, Director of QCA as our keynote speaker, sharing his vision for the 21^st Century in education.

It was rewarding, therefore, to hear that the schools in our Learning Community are keeping abreast of the changes that some other areas have found more challenging.  In the Crediton Learning Community we work collaboratively, sharing ideas and resources; we also create opportunities for our children to meet up for many shared activities.  For example, this half-term, we are providing the chance for some of our able and talented children to get together each week, working on an extension project to raise their awareness about environmental issues.

Then, later this term, we have our Area Swimming Gala which will take place at Lord’s Meadow Pool. This annual event is always well attended by representatives from all the local primary schools, and provides a great opportunity for our swimmers to take part in competition racing.  As a small school, we do not expect to take any trophies but we still look forward to being a part of this event and as always, we will try our best!

We recently heard that every school in the community has now achieved Healthy  School status, making our Learning Community the first in Devon to achieve this. We find that children are really enjoying the new food alternatives, and are much more willing to try new things now.  To complement such healthy diets, we are encouraging even more daily exercise with a variety of clubs and physical activities on offer. Skipping continues to be very popular, providing a brilliant opportunity for children of all ages to exercise their hearts as they play! With this in mind and with Sports Relief day fast approaching, we have decided to have a sponsored skip on Friday 14 March. During the morning, all the children in the school will be trying to beat their personal best and in doing so, raise some money for this very worthwhile cause! 

Another area where our Learning Community works together is in the performing arts.

Currently, our school is taking part in a music initiative to teach each child in KS2 to play a few tunes on the ukulele. Throughout the term, children are receiving specialist tuition on the instruments and many have purchased their own instruments so that they can practice at home. As children progress, we hope to have our own school ukulele orchestra and we may even be ready in time for our Easter Concert on 20 March with a bit of luck!  The concert begins at 10:00 so do come along and join us if you can – everyone is welcome.

HEATHER M PERRY

HEADTEACHER