IONA Primary School
Your Child's Journey
Recognising the individual needs of the child (age 6-11)
When they enter the main school aged six, pupils are guided by their class teacher, who usually remains with them for the rest of their time at the school. This facilitates the development of a close relationship where the teacher is able to recognise the individual needs of the child within the context of the whole class.
This, together with the rhythm and structure of the day, serves to create a secure framework in which the child can develop.
Waldorf Schools have their own curriculum which meets the gradually changing consciousness of the child throughout school life. The core content of this curriculum is delivered during the Main Lesson period, which occupies the first third of the school day.
The main lesson subject is taught in a block of three to four weeks, allowing the material to build up methodically, step by step, enabling the pupils to become immersed in its content.
During the first two years, literacy and mathematics alternate as the focus of the main lesson. The curriculum is also broad and includes subject areas. These are: Scientific, Human and social, Creative and Aesthetic, Physical and Well-being.
An integral part of each morning’s session is the recitation of poetry, singing, music making and movement exercises to improve memory capacity and concentration.
Please read our Curriculum policy to find out more detail.
Lessons and subjects
Practice Lessons
These lessons are devoted to developing skills in the basic subjects. Timestables, mental arithmetic and spelling are practised regularly.
Music
Singing is an important activity for all ages. From the age of seven pupils are taught to play the recorder.
Foreign Languages
A foreign language is taught throughout school at Iona. Initially, the children’s imitative capacity is used to learn songs, games and poems. Later this is developed. Children begin to speak a language. The language chosen is the choice of the teacher.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH and Religious EDucation
We foster the pupils’ natural feelings of reverence for the whole of creation and enhance their awareness of the spiritual striving of humanity as it is reflected in biography and in all the great religions of the world.
Technology/Handwork
All pupils are taught skills such as knitting, crochet and sewing, in our wonderful handwork room.
Eurythmy (When staffing available)
Eurythmy is an art of movement inspired by the forms, rhythms and colours contained in works of speech and music. In the classroom, Eurythmy can awaken social and spatial awareness and develop children’s expression through the use of movement.
Painting and Art
Painting, modelling and drawing lessons are usually given by the class teacher. However, as the children get older, a specialist teacher may take these lessons.
Games/GYM
Emphasis is placed on those activities that develop co-ordination and spatial orientation. Team games are seen as social activities so that the competitive aspect is secondary to the co-operative endeavour.
Outdoor Activities/land days
We have a large area of land at the top of the school site where the children can play freely and safely. The wide variety of plant life is valuable for the study of botany and there are garden areas which pupils cultivate for enjoyment and as part of their studies.
Festivals
Festivals are an important part of the school’s social and spiritual life and are held at least once a term. The children take part in plays, musical performances, singing, eurythmy and recitations.