In our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), we plan challenging and enjoyable experiences for each child in all areas of learning and development. Our youngest children have a strong focus on the three prime areas with the emphasis on developing language and extending vocabulary. We plan a broad curriculum enabling children to apply and strengthen the prime areas through the specific areas of learning. Children learn through play both initiated by themselves and led by adults. As children move into our Reception class there is a greater focus on learning essential skills and knowledge to prepare for their transition to Year 1.
In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we have designed our curriculum to effectively build on prior learning whilst using our rich locality and the experiences and interests of our children, to ensure learning is engaging and relevant.
We make sure that the National Curriculum is taught in full as well as additional aspects of the curriculum that we feel are important to our children and the context of our school. We know that children learn best when they are engaged, excited and challenged and therefore we enhance our curriculum with first hand experiences, trips and visitors, enabling our children to learn from shared experiences that bring the curriculum to life.
We plan carefully for the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science. These subjects are taught discretely but also through other areas of the curriculum to give a context to learning and to extend pupils’ reading, writing and mathematical skills. The foundation subjects of History, Geography, Art and Design, Design and Technology are taught mainly through our topics, with Music, PE, RE and PSHRE taught discretely with links being made wherever possible. Teachers make learning fun by presenting exciting activities which fire pupils’ imaginations and challenging by extending their learning and being ambitious for every child. The children begin new topics by sharing the questions they would like to explore, learning the meaning of new vocabulary and engaging their prior learning. This leads to the children’s active involvement in their learning and keeps their learning experiences meaningful.
In addition, our provision for children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development promotes tolerance of and respect for people of other faiths, cultures and lifestyles and our promotion of fundamental British values enables our children to understand the importance of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and tolerance and respect for people of different and varied faiths and cultures.
Parents can read a brief overview of each year group curriculum overview (see tabs to the right). We will also send knowledge organisers home at the beginning of topics to support your child's learning and at the end of each half term and topic, we also send home an evaluation of the topic, written by the children explaining what they have learnt and which parts of the topic they have particularly enjoyed. The views of the class are collated and written by two children in each class.
When parents and teachers work together, we can help our children achieve their best, encourage them to persevere if they find things difficult, develop a growth mindset and have an enquiring mind that likes to ask - Why? Where? When? Who? and How? - so that they develop a love of learning that stays with them for life.
If you would like to know more about curriculum subjects, please click the links below. Subject overviews can also be found on the tabs to the right.
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM
Reading Scheme:-
We use Oxford Reading Scheme and Twinkl Rhino Readers Scheme from the Early Years to Year 2 as our reading scheme, supplemented by additional free reading books from the school or class library.
In Year 3 to Year 6 we use the Accelerated Reader scheme which tracks the children's reading throughout the key stage and sets appropriate comprehension quizzes to check the children's understanding of the book they have read.
Phonics:-
We use Twinkl Phonics (click on link) to teach phonics, supplemented by a range of resources including interactive resources such as Phonics Play (click on link).
RSE and Health Education (PSHRE):-
We use Discovery Education Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education curriculum. Any parents wishing to discuss our RSE curriculum or to see the resources we use, please contact your class teacher who will be happy to talk you through the curriculum.
Our Curriculum Policy can be downloaded here.
