The Latham School - Zoom Tanzania

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Education at The Latham School We believe that the education offered to children throughout their schooling, from nursery to secondary, should be well-structured and should ensure progression for all pupils. To this end, we follow the English National Curriculum with its balanced programmes of study for every subject, which provide clear guidance on the knowledge, skills, concepts and experiences that need to be covered. Where necessary, we adapt the curriculum to suit our Tanzanian and international context. At the primary level, children are taught mainly by a class teacher. There are daily lessons in literacy (English) and numeracy (mathematics), and four times a week , all children learn Kiswahili, in either the native-speakers’ or non-native speakers’ group. We aim to help children connect ideas and to develop their skills in an integrated way, and so make use of crosscurricular topics, which cover different subjects. However, we also recognize that continuity in all subjects cannot be assured through topic work. Science, music, and art are also taught as separate subjects each week. This structure ensures that children progress in all areas of the English National Curriculum. Engaging and Stimulating Lessons Having a formal well-planned curriculum does not mean that learning cannot be fun. In fact, we insist that lessons are engaging and that pupils are actively involved and experience success. Our UKqualified and experienced Early Years teacher, Ms Nairn, uses games and songs alongside our synthetic phonics programme to ensure that children not only learn to read, but develop an enthusiastic love of reading. Within half a term, the children in her class are all now proudly reading every day during Guided Reading, and at home with their structured reading books. We all understand the importance of science to the development of not only Tanzania, but to nations world-wide. We are, therefore, very happy that our pupils think ‘science lessons are cool’. The weekly science lessons are hugely popular with all pupils at The Latham School. We have resources from the UK to support the development of the knowledge and skills appropriate to their ages in key topics such as healthy living, organs of the body, forces and motion, and electricity. The programmes of study for science are overseen by our Science Co-ordinator, Ms Marshall, who has developed her very considerable skills in this curriculum area at a UK primary school. “My son is so happy at The Latham School. He now looks forward to school and wants to share what he has learned when he arrives home. He even does his homework willingly, which has been a challenge in the past. I highly recommend The Latham School.” Year 3 Parent , K.Allen, UNICEF
Information Communication Technology Information and Communication Technology is integrated into the fabric of children’s learning. They are supported in developing the necessary skills as they encounter the need to learn them. They also have a number of tools to work with, including Beebots (small programmable robots), digital cameras, and, of course, computers. Our pupils in Years 3 – 6 will be issued with iPads in January 2013, which will enable them to research and record their work, integrating text and images. When we move into our permanent school campus in 2013, we will begin our programme of installing interactive whiteboards for our Keystage 1 classrooms. Ensuring Progression Children’s progress is carefully monitored on a daily basis and intervention strategies planned, for example, if a pupil needs more time to go over a topic, or, perhaps needs to be challenged more and is ready to work at a higher level. Our constant focus is on children’s learning. The standards pupils are achieving are tracked against the levels of attainment of the English National Curriculum. Parents receive four reports each year, which provide information on their child’s progress and attainment. Parents are never in any doubt about whether their child is performing at, below, or above the expected level for their year group. Development of the Whole Child The Romans certainly had it right with their motto ‘Mens sana in corpore sana’ (a sound mind in a sound body). At The Latham School, we take seriously our responsibility to provide enjoyable and challenging opportunities for children to stay healthy and to develop their physical fitness. We understand that not only does this enable children to develop agility, stamina and co-ordination, it also helps with concentration in the classroom. Under the guidance of Mr Heap, our Year 4 teacher who is also a qualified sports coach, our pupils are learning skills, strategies and tactics and how to work in teams in a range of games including, soccer, cricket and short tennis. The children are also learning that in competitions, there are losers as well as winners, but what is important is fair play and taking part. Extension/Enrichment Activities The last hour of the school day comprises of Extension/ Enrichment activities for all pupils. This is the time when pupils can choose an activity, either to develop a higher level of skill (e.g. guitar lessons), personal interest (e.g. science club), or just enjoy something different (e.g. baking or board games). I think I made the best possible decision for my son by sending him to The Latham School. He has settled in very well. The teachers are also very good and teach the children according to their abilities. He enjoys school and looks forward to going School.” Year 2 Parent, G. Mutagahywa, VODACOM
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The Latham School - Zoom Tanzania

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