PRIESTTHORPE PRIMARY

CURRICULUM POLICY

February 2013

Agreed by Governors: 5.3.13

At Priestthorpe Primary School we believe the curriculum is a powerful tool that promotes a love of learning. We use the National Curriculum as a starting point for a wide and varied learning experience for the children. The curriculum is enhanced by visits, visitors and theme days which are planned to enrich the children’s experience in a range of different ways. Our curriculum aims to enable all young people to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.

The aims of our school curriculum are:

To promote a positive attitude towards learning, so that the children enjoy coming to school, and acquire a solid basis for lifelong learning

To provide a curriculum which engages and motivates children To provide a curriculum which meets the needs of individual children. To enable children to understand they are successful learners To enable children to understand the skills and attributes needed to be a successful learner To teach children the basic skills of English, Maths and Information Technology. To enable children to have respect for themselves and high self esteem, and to be able to live and work

cooperatively with others To enable each child to make good progress and achieve his/her potential

The CurriculumAt Priestthorpe Primary School we plan the curriculum in three phases. A long term plan is in place which indicates the themes which are taught each half term. In Key Stage 2 there is a two year plan which gives teachers in lower and upper Key Stage 2 the opportunity to work closely together in providing a curriculum which engages the children. In Key Stage 1, the plan is delivered in one academic year. Our medium term plans give guidance on the skills which will be developed through the theme. Short term plans detailing what the child will learn are produced weekly by individual teachers.

In the Foundation Stage the curriculum is taught following the Development Matters statements. The children experience a broad and balance curriculum which covers the three prime areas and four specific areas of learning:

Prime Areas of Learning Personal, Social and Emotional development Communication and Language Physical Development

Specific Areas of Learning Literacy Maths Understanding the World Exploring and Using Media and Materials

Learning and TeachingIn Key Stage one and two English and Maths are taught every day. In Key Stage 2 children are placed in sets, normally across two year groups to ensure planning meets the needs of individual and groups of children.The school follows the National Numeracy and Literacy Frameworks.

History, Geography, I.C.T, Art and D.T are planned for and delivered through a themed Creative Curriculum. Each year, children experience 6 themes, which, during each Key Stage meet the requirements of the statutory National Curriculum subject units. A two year rolling programme of themes is in place in KS2 which are selected to interest and excite the children. Years 3 and Yr 4 cover the same theme each half term and Years 5

and 6 also follow a theme which is common to both classes. This allows the theme based content to be used as a stimulus for writing. Themes have been chosen with the experiences, interests and needs of children at Priestthorpe Primary School in mind. Where appropriate Science will be taught within the theme, however where this is not appropriate it will stand-alone.

P.E, Music, PSCHE, SEAL and RE will be taught in isolation to the Theme. The timetable ensures that sufficient time is allocated to every subject in a week.

Short term planning is completed weekly for the theme and stand-alone subjects in the curriculum. This planning identifies the Lesson Objective, creative approaches to teaching the skill or knowledge and provision for differing needs in the class through differentiation.

E safety is embedded in the schools approach to teaching and learning using electronic equipment. Children are taught how to use the Internet, and other electronic forms of communication safely, during lessons and in assemblies.

Through PSCHE and science lessons children are taught to have an awareness of the meaning of drugs, their impact and how to ensure their healthy lifestyle is not negatively impacted by them. Sex and Relationships are taught to pupils in Year 6 by the class teacher and School Nurse and the changes experienced during puberty are taught to pupils in Year 5.

Support for pupils.Providing for the emotional, physical and social needs of pupils is an important part of the curriculum. These needs are met through PSHCE, SEAL and the School Council.

The school provides opportunities for a range of extra curricular activities which are available to all children regardless of ability, gender or ethnicity. These clubs are for children in both Key Stage 1 and 2 and vary each term.

ResourcesThe ordering and maintenance of resources are the responsibility of each Subject Leader. The Subject Leader produces a spending plan following an audit of resources and need. A budget is allocated annually to support the spending plan. This is used to ensure suitable resources are available to support each area of the curriculum.

The teaching of ICT through other subjects and also the use of ICT to enhance other subjects is actively encouraged. An effective system is in place to enable children to use laptops in all areas of the curriculum. A specialist French teacher is used to teach French throughout Key Stage 2

Monitoring and EvaluatingThere is clear plan of lesson observations and scrutiny of work by The Leadership Team and subject leaders across the curriculum. Information gained form monitoring is used to improve the quality of teaching and learning and inform the School Improvement plan.

Signed:

Dated: