We provide our pupils with a curriculum which seeks to educate the 'whole person' as well as in academic and practical ways. We strive to make our curriculum appropriate to pupils' needs with teaching styles that develop positive attitudes to learning, the understanding of concepts and the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Early Years - Nursery and Reception

In Early Years our aims are to provide a secure, happy, stimulating environment to enable all children to learn and develop attitudes, skills and abilities. The curriculum is based on the 6 areas of learning: 'Personal and Social Development', 'Language, Literacy and Communication', 'Mathematical Development', 'Physical Development', 'Creative Development' and 'Knowledge and Understanding of the World'.

The National Curriculum

At Key Stages 1 and 2 the following subjects are taught :

The Core Subjects: English, Mathematics, Science.

Foundation Subjects: History, Geography, Religious Education (including PSE - Personal and Social Education), Welsh (as a second language), Art, Design Technology(DT), ICT (Information and Communications Technology), Music, Physical Education.

Key Stage 1 - Years 1 and 2

Here the emphasis will be on developing essential skills of communication, literacy and numeracy. By providing a broad, rich curriculum using an integrated approach for as much of the curriculum as possible, we aim to develop the child's interests whilst recognising their level of maturity. These are important years where children learn how to observe, listen respond and develop not only as individuals but also as caring members of our community.

Key Stage 2 - Years 3 - 6

The essential skills of communication, literacy and numeracy will still be the central focus of our curriculum. But, as their understanding of the different disciplines increases, more time will be given to science and the foundation subjects. The curriculum is now taught in more discreet subjects with the integration of the key skills of English, Maths and ICT into as many other areas as possible. Children will be encouraged to develop self-confidence, independence in learning and higher order skills in a range of situations. In these years we hope to be developing well-rounded pupils ready for the demands of the High School.

Teaching Methods and Use of the Welsh Language

Teaching Methods

At each stage the children are taught through a variety of methods to give all the opportunity of working through their preferred learning style. Children may be working individually, in pairs or small groups. Sometimes the groups are made up of children of similar ability and at other times, of different ages and abilities.

Use of the Welsh Language

Lixwm Primary School is an English medium school where Welsh is taught as a second language. At Key Stages 1 and 2 it has a lesson timetabled each week with regular daily use of incidental language. The culture of Wales is celebrated each year for St David's day with many fun Welsh activities such as competitions, cooking and dressing up. There is also a Welsh dimension to many of our curriculum areas e.g. the study of Welsh artists in Art, the study of Lixwm, Conwy, Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire in Geography, the events or lives of the people of Wales during periods of History studied.

Sex Education, R.E. and Collective Worship and School Trips

Sex Education

A Sex Education talk is given to Years 5 and 6 every 2 years. This is given by the School Nurse and is based around a video, the content of which has been passed by the Governors. This is then followed by a talk with just the girls about menstruation. There is also opportunity for anonymous questions to be asked. Parents are reminded that they may withdraw their children from all or part of the sex education provided.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

R.E. is timetabled for 1 lesson a week at Key Stages 1 and 2, where the religions of Christianity and Judaism are studied. In the Early Years just stories and celebrations from Christianity are included. Each morning all the children from Years 1 to 6 meet together for a time of Collective Worship which is of a broadly Christian nature but occasionally may include moral stories drawn from other religions and cultures. Parents are reminded that they may withdraw their children from all or part of the Religious Education or Collective Worship and alternative arrangements will be made for them.

School Trips

Children enjoy visiting places and learn much from first hand experiences. We have an extensive programme of educational visits linked to different areas of the curriculum. We also have residential trips for Year 5 and 6. Each year Year 6 spend 3 days at the Welsh Language centre at Bala and every alternate year Years 5 and 6 go the Nant Bwlch yr Hearn Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Llanrwst or Pentrellyncymmer at Brenig.