School Curriculum

Ballygown National School aims to implement as best as possible the Revised Primary School Curriculum. The various subjects taught in the school are grouped in curriculum areas as follows:

What does the curriculum emphasise?

 – The individual child –

The curriculum emphasises and encourages the individuality of every child, including children with special needs.

– Skills –

Skills are developed in every subject e.g. in reading, the skill of associating certain groups of letters with certain sounds. However the curriculum also encourages the development of key skills such as observing, questioning, predicting, analysing, exploring, investigating, experimenting and communicating.

– Developing concepts –

In the course of gaining knowledge, children are helped to develop concepts, that is general ideas or notions. This helps them to link related pieces of knowledge.

– Different ways of learning –

Children learn in different ways. The curriculum recommends a great variety of approaches and methodologies which will suit varying learning styles.

– Working together to learn –

Children will learn through working with each other as well as with the teacher.. They are stimulated by hearing the ideas and opinions of others, and by having the opportunity to react to them.

– The importance of language –

As well as learning languages such as English and Irish, children learn through language. Talk and discussion and the use of language are seen as essential to learning in every curriculum area.

– Literacy and numeracy –

Literacy, that is the ability to read and write, and numeracy, the ability to understand and use numbers, are essential for effective learning and vital for success in life.

– The environment –

Children’s own environment, that is their immediate world, is real and familiar to them. Learning is more meaningful and effective when children can relate it to what they have experienced and know well.

– Hands-on experience –

Using and handling materials, such as counters and beads in mathematics, help children to root their understanding of things in practical experience.

– An integrated curriculum –

Children are encouraged to make connections and links between what they learn in the different subjects and curriculum areas.

– Assessment –

Assessment is seen as an essential part of teaching and learning, and the importance of giving parents a clear idea of their children’s progress is emphasised.

– Information and Communication Technologies (I.C.T.) –

I.C.T. are an important part of living and working. I.C.T., particularly computers, can make an important contribution to successful learning.