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Curriculum Aims 

The school curriculum is designed to create and promote the intellectual, physical, personal and social cultural development of the individual pupil. This includes not only the formal subject based curriculum, but also the ‘Hidden Curriculum’ which deals with building relationships, developing positive attitudes and fostering Christian values which make our school ethos and give our school its distinctive nature. The teaching and learning styles used are varied and appropriate to particular areas of the curriculum and ages and abilities of the child.

 

  • We aim to create a happy and relaxed learning environment where everyone is encouraged to come to school and give of their best.
  • We aim to develop lively and enquiring minds and the ability to question and reason.
  • We aim to provide a balanced curriculum suited to the individual needs of the pupil.
  • We aim to provide an exciting curriculum with opportunities for co-operation and which prepares our children for life in the 21st century.
  • We aim to educate the whole child

In this school, through the curriculum, we aim to foster in children the development of the number of qualities we believe will enhance their lives and help to make them responsible citizens with an awareness of the needs of others and a responsible attitude towards society.

The National Curriculum is followed by pupils from Year 1 to Year 6. (Key Stage 1 and 2) The content is determined by the Department of Education and Skills and is contained in National Curriculum Council documents, copies of which are available to you to view in school. The Nursery and Reception Class and now known as the ‘Foundation Stage’. They follow specific Foundation Stage guidelines stipulated by the DCSF.

The National Curriculum, laid down by Parliament in the Education Reform Act 1988, is made up of 11 subjects. The core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, ICT and RE. The other Foundation subjects are Design Technology, Geography, History, Art & Design, Music and PE. In addition, every school must provide a daily act of collective worship. Although not statutory, 2 Modern Foreign Languages are also taught; French in Year 3 and 4 and Spanish in Year 5 and 6.

The curriculum has the characteristics of breadth, balance, relevance and differentiation.

Curriculum Breadth relates to a focus other than the narrow mechanical aspect of learning to read and write and calculate.

Curriculum Balance means an exploration of a wide variety of subjects and ideas.

Curriculum Relevance means that subjects become part of a living experience, helping pupils to understand why things happen and how it influences us today.

Curriculum Differentiation means that children of varying abilities are catered for so that all children, of whatever ability make progress.

The methods we use in this school are based on the understanding that all children are individuals who have different abilities and different rates and ways of learning as well as the different home experiences before they come to school. Consequently, arrangements are made to ensure the needs of all children are met. They are also based on the belief that children need to understand, as far as possible, what they are taught, rather than learning purely by rote. We believe that it is essential to provide children with first hand experiences that are multi-sensory. This often means that pupils use the school grounds or immediate locality, visits to local museums, theatres etc. are used to give the children experiences that are impossible to duplicate in the classroom.

Assessment

The Reception children are assessed using the Foundation Stage Profile.

The children in Year 2 and Year 6 will be tested using Standard Assessment Tasks (SAT’s).

Children in Key Stage 1 and 2 will be assessed in accordance with our school Assessment for Learning Policy.

This information is used to give an overview of standards and as a tool for planning and target setting.

There will be an opportunity for parents to see their child’s work and discuss progress and attitude at Open Evenings and Curriculum evenings held throughout the year. In addition Parental Feedback sheets are sent home each term flowing formal Assessment Weeks outline children’s progress and identifying targets to work on at home to further develop your child.