Curriculum Overview

We believe that our broad and balanced curriculum should develop both knowledge and skills; it should encourage independence, curiosity, creativity and resilience; produce collaborators, innovators, leaders . It should prepare children to be confident to take the next steps in their education, pursue their dreams and have a happy and successful future.

Our curriculum is based on Development Matters and The National Curriculum in England (2014). In all year groups we place a strong emphasis on the basic skills of speaking and listening, reading, writing and mathematics.

To find out more about Development Matters please go to:

https://www.early-education.org.uk/development-matters

For more information about the National Curriculum 2014 please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum

Curriculum Structure and Organisation:

Our curriculum is organised into three areas, ‘Discover’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Create’. Central to the curriculum are Core Skills that underpin everything we do:

Active Learning:

• To seek out and enjoy challenges
• To collaborate with others
• To show commitment and perseverance
• Assess themselves and others

Basic Skills:

• To speak clearly and convey ideas confidently
• To read and communicate ideas in writing efficiently and effectively.
• To calculate efficiently and apply skills to solve problems
• To use new technologies confidently and purposefully

Creative Thinking:

• To ask questions to extend their thinking
• To generate ideas and explore possibilities
• To overcome barriers by trying out alternatives or new solutions
• To connect ideas and experiences in inventive ways

Working across three terms allows us to explore areas of the curriculum in greater depth. In the autumn term, the main theme is History; in the spring term the focus is Geography and in the summer term, we focus on the Arts. Further skills are mapped to each term and embedded throughout the year.

How you can help

Ask your child about what they are learning in school and come to the celebration sessions such as our Museum Afternoon, to share and celebrate their learning.

Use the internet and go to the library to help your child to find out more about their topic.

Encourage your child to practice their reading and maths skills everyday.

Talk to your child’s class teacher if you are unsure about anything, they will be happy to help

Project based learning

Our curriculum is based around a project based learning model with termly projects. All our projects are relevant to the world the children live in today and address complex issues. We aim to develop an understanding of what is possible and a belief that they can make a difference to the world we live in.

Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning. Projects use a combination of direct teaching, facilitated learning and guided discovery. Children work alongside experts and professionals, take part in visits and residential trips and learn both indoors and out. We encourage children to work collaboratively, flexibly and with high levels of independence.   

We have consistently high expectations of learning and outcomes. Children are encouraged to improve their learning at every stage and in all subjects through redrafting. They are encouraged to never settle for anything other than their best work.

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