Curriculum Overview
The curriculum is all the planned activities that the school organises in order to promote learning, personal growth and development.
The aim of our curriculum is to encourage pupils to become competent, self-reliant learners, with the necessary knowledge and skills of the world about them. The curriculum is matched to the needs of all pupils and differentiated according to need and ability.
“The good curriculum is well balanced and includes many exciting opportunities… Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development forms the hub of this successful school.” OFSTED 2013
“The curriculum is well planned so that it is broad and balanced. There are a wide range of opportunities for pupils to gain knowledge and skills in a range of subjects…
a well-planned curriculum ensure that pupils have a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe.” OFSTED 2019
In order to achieve this, the school places great value on the traditional skills of Literacy and Numeracy as well as expertise in the fields of Science, ICT, Humanities, Arts and Physical Education. The school curriculum includes all the elements of National Curriculum and statutory Religious Education, but also includes personal, social, health and citizenship education and other cross-curricular themes. The curriculum underpins the development of children spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (known as SMSC).
Curriculum Vision
We deliver an experience rich curriculum, to foster a thirst and enthusiasm for learning, in a language and reading rich environment, with pupil well-being at the heart of all we do.
Curriculum Intentions
We have 5 key intentions, which drive our curriculum. These are:
- To develop resilience, thinking skills, independence in learning and in life
- Reading, language and vocabulary development at heart of the curriculum
- Raising aspirations through rich experiences
- Promoting enquiry and investigation
- Promoting respect and responsibility.
Rationale
The education and welfare of the children in our care is of paramount importance to us, as of course it is to our parents. Co-operation and close relations between home and school are vital if every child is to fulfil their potential during the time they spend with us – our knowledge rich curriculum, good relationships with parents, and our high expectations for behaviour and achievement underpin the success of our school.
Children join our school with a wide variety of experiences and starting points. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all of our children and our community. We pride ourselves in providing rich, meaningful experiences across all subjects, focus on and emphasise language and vocabulary and offer numerous opportunities for children to develop resilience and independence. Each of our core intentions is evident through each subject and the work we do is underpinned by theory and research. We invest in training and developing our staff to make sure curriculum delivery of the highest possible standard.
We wish to promote these core values through all we do in school:
-
-
- love of learning – we want to start pupils off on their lifelong journey of learning, developing key skills, knowledge and understanding along the way. Pupils will have the opportunity to develop interest, enjoyment and curiosity, to explore, discover, question and research; they will be taught key skills in communication and mathematics and be expected and encouraged to apply these across a broad and balanced curriculum that fosters a love of learning. In striving for excellence and enjoyment, pupils are encouraged and expected to aim high and develop resilience and determination to tackle new learning and challenges, in a supportive and stimulating environment. They will have the chance to work collaboratively and cooperatively, as well as developing their self-confidence and independence. We work hard to provide a rich range of learning experiences in a meaningful context. The curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally and reflects the core British values. We collaborate with all our partners and agencies, including the local community and support services for the benefit of all our children.
-
- Friendship – children will develop their skills of cooperation, friendship and trust. We value a caring, helpful approach, with good manners and inclusive practices. Children are given opportunities to learn and play collaboratively, to support and encourage one another and learn to navigate feelings and emotions, whilst being supported to grow and mature. They are expected to show consideration for others and to value each other’s contributions, ideas and thoughts.
- Respect – we have a positive, nurturing ethos where each child is valued and respected as an individual. We also develop respect for one another and for the society on which the children live, locally, nationally and internationally. Children are expected to respect each other’s views, wishes and feelings; to care for their own, others’ and school property and belongings and to show care and consideration. Our Rights Respecting School system underpins this, and we view our school as a strong community, in which each child belongs to a family as well as to the school as a whole.
- Responsibility – we encourage children to develop their independence and to take on responsibility for their actions – both what they say and do. We encourage all children to make an active contribute towards school life. Pupil voice is strong at North Park and pupils take on key roles during their time in school; pupils take these responsibilities seriously as they represent school at events, on school council, as buddies, sports leaders and as monitors. Taking responsibility for looking after the community and world in which they live is also encouraged and children are regularly involved in local and national events within the wider community. Partnerships are encouraged and promoted to the benefit of all pupils.
- Equality – The school is committed to ensuring we celebrate difference and promote equality in all we do. Our school welcomes everyone from all walks of life. Everyone must welcome and celebrate all others in school. Everyone is treated equally regardless of their:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender or gender identity
- Race or nationality
- Religion or belief
- Pregnancy
- Marriage
- Sexual orientation.
Equal opportunities underpin the work done within both the explicit and implicit curriculum. Pupils are regularly taught about the diverse society we live in and our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural guidance prepares the pupils to be effective citizens in life.
We hold Investors in Children Award and the Rights Respecting School Award, both of which underpin the work we do in school; this is reflected in all policies. We are an Educate and Celebrate (LBGT) Good Practice School, and hold awards in Anti-Bullying, Active 30, School Games, Healthy Schools and Fair Trade. We also hold the Quality Mark for Basic skills, in recognition of the work we do to develop important key skills for pupils and we are now working towards the Inclusion Quality Mark.
Through promoting these core values we aim to:
- Help pupils achieve their best and reach their potential
- Foster an excitement about and a love for learning
- Ensure children develop their personal qualities and skills, and a positive sense of self
- Help children to grow in independence and confidence
- Promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
- Develop a sense of community, within school, within the local area, and on a national and international scale
- Develop tolerance and understanding of others
-
- Nursery and Reception ClassIn the Early Years Foundation Stage learning is delivered through structured play. There is a balance between child-initiated learning and adult-led tasks based on the Early Years Curriculum, covering the prime areas of learning;
- Personal, Social and Emotional development;
- Physical development;
- Communication and Language;
As well as specific areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Areas of learning are set up in the Foundation Unit, which operates in two adjoining rooms, along with a lovely outdoor space. Staff rotate around the unit, interacting with the children, as well as leading specific tasks. The curriculum is developed around half-termly themes over a two-year rolling programme.
NURSERY RECEPTION Me and My Family Food and Feasts Colour Pets People Feelings Nursery Rhymes The Pond The Farm Journeys Animals Creepy Crawlies Visit the EYFS curriculum pages for more information.
- Years 1 – 6
- In Key Stage 1 and 2 the curriculum is designed to cover and develop a range of skills, knowledge and understanding in all subjects. Within each term there are opportunities for meaningful links between curriculum areas. In addition some subject areas may be taught discreetly. All areas of the National Curriculum are covered comprehensively in a broad and balanced way, giving pupils the chance to develop key skills as well as in depth subject knowledge. The National Curriculum is made up of the Core Subjects and the Foundation Subjects.
Core Subjects Foundation Subjects Literacy Art and Design Numeracy Design Technology Science Geography Religious Education History Computing Music Physical Education MFL - French (KS2) Additional subject - PSCHE (Learning for Life)
Curriculum Plans
Visit our Curriculum Planning to find out what we will be learning in each subject, and Our Classes section to see our curriculum for each Year group and view how we promote British Values here at North Park Primary school.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
At North Park Primary school we believe that inclusive education means providing all pupils with appropriate education and support alongside their peers. The Curriculum is all the planned activities that the school organises in order to promote learning, personal growth and development. Our SEN Policy is located in our School Policies section. Further information can be found in the SEN Information Report. If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
Adobe Reader
You may need a product like Adobe Reader (free download) to view our PDF documents on our website.