Following the introduction of the new Curriculum 2014, and the appointment of our new Head Teacher, Mr Hollywood, we are evaluating our Curriculum to ensure it continues to inspire, engage and challenge the children as they develop a love of learning.
Our long-term aim is to implement a Thematic Curriculum with an international, global dimension. To date, the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) has been our main driver, but we have been reviewing and transforming our Curriculum since September, 2014. These changes ensure the children master a deep understanding of the wider world in which they live; a world where international relations, skills and communication will be paramount to many future careers as the children realise their ambitions.
Our themes will be developed around high quality children’s reading books which we are introducing through the Power of Reading.
This is a highly successful project that promotes the effective teaching of children’s literacy through high-quality children’s literature. At its core is the aim of leading children into habits of reading for pleasure. In addition, we are developing new pedagogical approaches to teach Reading & Writing in exciting & effective ways.
To ensure our children become fluent and confident readers and writers, we have introduced Read Write Inc for our younger children in Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1. We started this in the autumn, 2014 term and its impact on children’s achievement has been significant.
These elements of our curriculum will work alongside the development of our character-based Curriculum. The 6Rs Learning Powers have been adopted to support our children as they become interdependent, enthusiastic learners and responsible citizens.
The 6Rs shapes learners who are…
- RESPECTFUL
- Resilient
- Responsible
- Resourceful
- Reflective
- Responsive
RESPECT is the bedrock of all we do and is the core of our Behaviour Code:
- Respect Yourself
- Respect Others
- Respect our world
We are also transforming the way children learn through adopting KAGAN Collaborative Learning Strategies. These are a strong part of the way we structure learning experiences so children learn together, in collaboration, rather than in competition against one another. In a nutshell, it is about PIES:
- Positive Interdependence
- Individual Accountability
- Equal Participation
- Simultaneous Interaction
Our new Curriculum will provide learning challenges that will be relevant and fun for the children, fully engaging them in school, ensuring they are given every opportunity to succeed.
To find out more about the Power of Reading and Read Write Inc, please click on the links below.
If you want to learn more about the 6Rs or KAGAN, and their role throughout school, or you would like to be involved in supporting us as we develop our new curriculum, please join us at one of our coffee mornings.
Other aspects of our Curriculum include…
Forest Schools
Forest School builds self esteem and is a great way to improve social and communication skills, cooperation and interdependence, especially for more vulnerable children in our care. All sessions are planned to meet the children’s preferred learning styles in a fun and flexible way.
Forest School is primarily set in an Outdoor Learning Environment, which immediately sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small, achievable tasks. They can develop their team-building skills and research supports what forest school practitioners have known all along – that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoor environment and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self-belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication, problem-solving skills and emotional well-being.
Philosophy for Children (P4C)
P4C is designed to get everybody thinking…
Not all questions can be answered, but all answers can be questioned!
P4C is essentially about developing critical thinking and reasoning skills through discussion and posing challenging questions. Over time, these questions cover a whole range of subjects and experiences, developing in complexity as the children mature.
Some of the benefits to the children are:
- Improved listening skills and empathy, understanding & tolerance
- Improved communication skills
- Improved self esteem
- Improved understanding of social responsibility and ethical issues
- Fosters respect and an understanding of diversity & equality
- Develops reasoning & critical thinking skills
Our Curriculum is managed by four teams of teachers. These teams lead and manage their area ensuring coverage and quality in the Curriculum.
If you have a special interest or talent in any of these areas and would like to get involved in the delivery of the Curriculum, please get in touch!
Additionally, if you feel strongly that we should add something that is of local interest to our Curriculum, please contact the school as we are always seeking to ensure our Curriculum is tailor-made to your children.
Click on the links below to have an overview of our curriculum and to view class specific curriculum guides. The guides give an insight to what the classes will be focusing on for each term.