Curriculum Implementation: How do we achieve this?
Our creative curriculum is delivered through a series of ‘topics’ that include and make links between learning from different subject areas, providing meaningful learning opportunities for children. The topics begin with an ‘engage’ activity. This makes links to prior learning and provides a ‘hook’ for subsequent learning. It also excites the children about the learning to come; sparks curiosity and encourages children to ask questions. During the ‘develop’ stage, children learn about the subject, deepening their understanding, whilst also applying skills, exploring and testing their own ideas. The ‘outcome stage’ is the culmination of the terms’ work and can take various forms. It is a reflection on all the knowledge and skills children have gained and a celebration of their learning. Children’s learning is further enhanced by educational visits and themed days that promote a love of learning.
Knowledge underpins and enables the application of skill. We strive for children to learn new skills alongside knowledge, ensuring that both are explicitly developed. Recognising that knowledge and skills are intertwined, we take a cross-curricular approach to maximise links across subjects and to ensure teaching and learning is relevant and meaningful.
Our vibrant and rich curriculum is designed so that the subject specific skills are scaffolded within a cross-curricular topic each term. Topics are delivered on an annual basis and are carefully designed to capture the interests and imaginations of our children. In order to ensure that progression and balance is maintained, the programmes of study are developed into medium-term plans which clearly highlight previous learning, the learning objectives covered (skills and knowledge), assessment opportunities, key vocabulary as well as links to other subjects. We use every opportunity to capitalise on connections between subjects and develop and apply all important reading, writing, speaking and listening, and maths skills in a purposeful context. RE, PE, PSHE which includes RSE and Health education are often taught as discreet subjects to ensure coverage of the main objectives and age-appropriate knowledge and skill development.
Every term, teachers will send home a Knowledge Organiser. This outlines the key subject knowledge and vocabulary that will be covered within the term’s topic and enables parents to both be involved with and support their children’s learning.