Curriculum Overview
'Soar on Wings'
Pupils are currently taught in two mixed age classes. YR/1/2 and Years 3/4/5/6
In KS2 (Years 3-6) The National Curriculum is covered through a four year rolling programme of cross-curricular themes.
In KS1 (Years 1 and 2) The National Curriculum is covered through a two year rolling programme of cross-curricular themes within a four year rolling programme. With several of the themes being parallel to KS2, the school enjoys sharing learning across the age and stage range.
In Reception, children follow the EYFS curriculum. They enjoy a mix of adult and child led activities which relate to the KS1 themes. Children in YR-Y2 enjoy Forest School sessions learning alongside the Little Explorers Nursery.
When planning each cross curricular theme, the following aspects are included:
Opportunities for knowledge acquisition linked to the theme and drawing upon previous themes and the children\'s general knowledge all of which inspires further learning. |
Opportunities to learn, develop and apply skills in line with progression matrix |
Opportunities to link into literature and high quality text that link to and enrich the theme. |
Opportunities to explore own views through big questions. What is this to do with me? |
Theme Title
Rationale for Theme
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Opportunities to learn about key people who have/are shaped/shaping our world ensuring diverse representation. |
Opportunities to explore British and Christian Core values. |
Opportunities to learn how the theme has inspired the Arts /culture across the world. |
Opportunities to learn about key events linked to the theme that have shaped/are shaping our world |
Pupils have opportunities built in to revisit previously acquired skills and knowledge and then apply them to new contexts. They read and write for a variety of purposes across the curriculum.
The pedagogical approach is mainly traditional with a teacher centered pedagogy. A successful element of school improvement is in creating more opportunities to allow learners to develop stronger independence with their learning in increasingly metacognitive learning environments.
Teaching provides a balance of both skills and knowledge acquisition. Whole class, rote, modelling and demonstration are blended with enquiry based learning, individual and group work and a thematic approach to the delivery of the curriculum. This mix reflects the skill of the teacher to identify and meet the individual learning needs of the children. A wide range of resources are used to support the learning needs of all the children. The children have easy access to the library, ICT and a school \'Knowledge Bank\'.
Hands on experiences together with using the wider community to enrich the curriculum leads to an engaging and relevant curriculum. Pupils are supported to access high quality literature in all subject areas.
Currently subjects are taught as discrete subjects linked to the overall theme. Pupils are supported to identify the links between and within subject areas.
The school\'s progression matrices in each subject area inform planning and subjects are presented clearly and in sequence to support the acquisition of knowledge and skills and the deepening of understanding. Subject specific vocabulary is introduced gradually, it is revisited and the expectation is that teachers and learners will use it consistently and confidently.
Pupils are given time to reflect on their learning, test their knowledge and celebrate their achievements.
Teachers are skillful at identifying gaps in learning. Interventions are in place and the assess, plan, do, review cycle is used to support pupils to close those gaps, make stronger progress and enjoy full access to the curriculum.
The school's Christian core values and vision underpin the teaching and learning of the curriculum.