An Overview of our Curriculum

Intent

Language acquisition is the foundation of thinking and learning. Reading, vocabulary development and phonics – alongside opportunities which give real-life experiences – are at the heart of our curriculum intent. We have a coherent knowledge-rich curriculum, which is progressive in knowledge, skills and vocabulary. All key drivers, including interconnections and metacognitive strategies, are well considered, in order for children to be successful on their learning journey.

Our curriculum is planned and sequenced so that children can build their knowledge and skills and be well-prepared for the next stage of their education. We understand the importance of reviewing our work as staff and with children to ensure that our delivery is helping the children to do more, remember more and know more.

Subject leaders work to ensure that the curriculum is ambitious and prepares children for their future. All subjects are progressively mapped out, to include the aims of the National Curriculum, statutory objectives, prior knowledge, skills and vocabulary and new subject-specific knowledge, skills and vocabulary.

Implementation

The intent of our curriculum is our ambition for children’s learning, which is detailed within the structure and sequence of our curriculum map. To realise this vision, and ensure the implementation is rigorous and robust, we use ten key areas.

• Progressive in knowledge and skills.
• Underpinned by the school’s vision and values.
• Develops the whole person – knowledge, skills and attitudes.
• Offers purposeful opportunities and experiences.
• Demands participation and contribution.
• Has local, national and international dimensions.
• Out-of-classroom learning environments.
• Makes meaningful links and addresses issues of our time.
• Looks to the future.
• Flexible and responsive to need.

These areas ensure that the intent is implemented to develop cultural capital, diversity and global citizenship to ensure our children become well-rounded citizens who will make a positive contribution to the world in which they live.

We are proud of the emphasis we place on enhancing our curriculum through enrichment experiences, visits and visitors. We know this brings learning alive for our children. These opportunities are carefully planned to ensure they are built on over time and are used to deepen children’s knowledge and understanding. We use the gallery section of our website and our Twitter and Facebook accounts to capture many of our events; this helps us to celebrate our work and reflect on the experiences we share. We adapted our work during the Covid 19 Pandemic, but it was not possible for us to engage with as many of these experiences as usual. We are proud that we were able to adapt some of our experiences so that they could take place and that we hold Health and Safety at the heart of what we do.

‘Futures Month’, ‘Black History Month’, ‘LGBT+ History Month’ and ‘LGBT+ Pride Month’ feature in our school calendar and allow time to be given to learning with, from and for others.

We benefit from good links within the Ignite Teaching School Alliance which helps us to provide key experiences to our children. We are able to work with Chester Zoo and Action Transport Theatre and participate in Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Maths Festivals. These visits are well received by pupils, staff and parents for the learning and experiences they provide. By being a member of the Teaching School Alliance we are also able to access a wide range of professional development to enhance our work.

We are proud of the authentic links we have with our partner school in Uganda. You can find out more by talking to us and by reading ‘Baha’s Story’.

We know that speaking, listening and thinking skills enrich our learning and we work to ensure this is given a high profile throughout the curriculum as well as using specific learning opportunities such as Talking Box (EYFS/KS1), Circle Time (Lower KS2) and Philosophy (Upper KS2). Our children’s vocabulary and thinking skills can be developed through this work and this in turn supports all areas of their learning and self-development.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum will show itself not only the outcomes our children achieve but their readiness for the next stage in their education.

We expect all of our children, whatever their starting point, to make academic progress.  But the impact of our curriculum will also be seen through the ability of our children to be resilient, tolerant, moral citizens, who know how their actions, thoughts and opinions can make an impact on others, and in the world, we live in.

Key Stages One and Two

We teach the following subjects:

• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Art and Design
• Computing
• Design and Technology
• Geography
• History
• French
• Music (We use the Charanga music scheme and also have instrumental tuition for pupils in Year 5/6.)
• Physical Education
• Religious Education

Useful Links for Teaching English as an Additional Language

National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC)
Learn English British Council
Mantra Lingua