We believe that children will succeed through experiencing quality in:

• a broad, balanced and challenging curriculum, sensitive to the needs of the individual
• a secure, respectful, caring and stimulating learning environment
• an enriching programme of extra-curricular activities and visits
• a rich, varied and up to date range of learning resources
• innovative teaching and an investigative approach to learning
• an ethos of support, encouragement and challenge to succeed
• learning partnerships between school, home and the wider community.

We demonstrate our commitment to working as a learning community by:

• respecting the individual but working collaboratively towards common goals with shared learning outcomes
• constantly monitoring and evaluating our progress – endeavouring to become a

      self-evaluating school

• striving for continuous improvement in all that we do.

Our broad aims are:

• to arouse children’s curiosity and foster a desire to learn about the world in which they live
• for children to acquire knowledge, skills and practical abilities and the will to use them
• to develop qualities of mind, body, spirit, feeling and imagination
• to appreciate human achievements in art, music, science, technology, literature and sport
• to help children understand the society and environment in which they live
• to help children acquire and develop moral and religious values, and a respect for the beliefs and values held by others
• to prepare for their adult lives at home, at work, at leisure and at large as consumers and citizens
• to develop a sense of self respect, to develop the capacity to live as independent, self-motivated adults and the ability to function as contributing members of co-operative groups - each child will move forward in all these ways according to age and ability
• to provide a framework whereby parents are kept informed about the progress of their children through:

1. regular meetings where individual teachers meet individual/groups of parents
2. a system of formal written reports from teachers to parents
3. a knowledge among parents that teachers are accessible through the principal

• to continue the good working relationships between all Staff, the Board of Governors, Education Authority, DENI, our neighbouring schools and with the community at large.

Specific objectives for our children are:

• to read fluently and accurately, with understanding, feeling and discrimination
• to develop a legible style of handwriting and satisfactory standards of spelling, syntax, punctuation and usage
• to communicate clearly and confidently in speech and writing, in ways appropriate for various occasions and purposes
• to listen attentively and with understanding
• to learn how to acquire information from various sources and to record information and findings in various ways
• to apply computational skills with speed and accuracy
• to understand the applications of mathematical ideas in various situations in the home, classroom, school and the local area
• to observe living and inanimate things, and to recognise characteristics such as pattern and order
• to master basic scientific and technological ideas
• to investigate solutions and interpret evidence, to analyse and to solve problems
• to develop awareness of self and sensitivity to others, acquire a set of moral values and the confidence to make and to hold moral judgements, and to develop habits of self-discipline and acceptable behaviour
• to be aware of the geographical, historical and social aspects of the local environment and the national heritage, and to be aware of other times and places
• to acquire sufficient control of self or tools, equipment and instruments to be able to use music, drama and several forms of arts and crafts as means of expression
• to develop agility and physical co-ordination, confidence in and through physical activity, and the ability to express feeling through movement
• to foster an interest and gain confidence in using Information and Communication Technology
• to include any other subjects which may form part of a future curriculum