Curriculum
At Beech Street Primary, the key aim for all our teaching and learning is to provide opportunities for all pupils to learn, to enjoy and to achieve. We encourage and stimulate the best possible progress and the highest attainment for all our pupils. Our curriculum builds on pupils’ strengths, interests and experiences and develops children’s confidence in their capacity to learn and work independently and collaboratively.
Legal Requirements
The core of our curriculum is based around the guidance issued by the Department of Education (DfE) in the following two documents:
The Early Years Framework (2014) - Nursery and Reception
The National Curriculum (2014) – Year 1 to Year 6
Whilst the above two documents are statutory we are free to supplement this with any other knowledge and skills that we feel are relevant to our pupils.
These documents below summarise the requirements of the National Curriculum by Year Group:-
Topics/Themes
Each class teacher has the freedom to choose a topic for each half term or term that will allow them to deliver the all the relevant aspects of the curriculum for their year group through a theme that will inspire, engage and challenge their particular pupils.
For each topic the class teacher will produce a topic map which outlines the main objectives. Whilst I am proud that our curriculum encourages a creative approach from staff, we recognise that there are many aspects of the curriculum that require consistency, such as phonics, grammar, spelling and calculation. Our staff work extremely hard, in collaboration, to monitor and ensure this consistency. Our main toolkit for the teaching of phonics is that produced by the DfE, Letters and Sounds.
Each topic should be chosen with quality texts in mind to ensure a high quality English tuition. Each year we allocate money to supplement class libraries to enhance these topics and encourage pupils to develop and love of literature.
An overview of each class topics for 2015/16 available here.
Visits and Visitors
All members of our school recognise the importance of high quality learning experiences. If relevant, staff will arrange a variety of visits, visitors or other experiences throughout the year. Experiences such as these do come at a cost which is why the governors and I allocate funds to substantially reduce or remove any costs to parents. Parents and pupils tell us how much they appreciate these creative experiences and how much they believe it contributes to their child’s engagement and enjoyment of our curriculum.
Outdoor Curriculum
Our school is also committed to developing our outdoor spaces to take ‘learning outside the classroom’, but within the school grounds. We already have small gardening areas, a storyteller’s corner and are looking to develop a sensory space.
Support For Parents
Our staff will report regularly to parents giving them an indication of how their child is progressing against the expectations of the National Curriculum and their own personal targets. A written report is provided at the end of the Summer Term. Parents are also welcome to make an appointment to see a member of staff at any time throughout the year, by appointment.
Should you require further information, please contact us – our curriculum leaders will be happy to talk in more detail. Alternatively, visit the DFE website for a full list of learning objectives and curriculum requirements.