Curriculum

INTENT

At Glenmead Primary School we promote the development of the whole child. Through our curriculum, we encourage children to be confident and independent learners who strive to achieve their potential. We believe that a curriculum that is broad, balanced, and rich in experiences is key to engaging our children as learners, but also individuals. We aim to develop our pupils’ curiosity, enthusiasm and creativity.

We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind and our curriculum celebrates the diverse nature of our society, enabling pupils to embrace the world around them – encouraging adherence with the fundamental British values. It also promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at our school and of society.

We aim to ensure pupils enjoy learning and feel prepared for life beyond school. We also intend to offer our pupils new and exciting experiences through extra-curricular activities that are designed to build resilience, confidence and self-esteem. Our curriculum will be delivered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, through a variety of methods, including those outlined here.

Our school values the input of its pupils, parents and the local community with regards to the planning and delivery of the curriculum. We believe pupils get a well-rounded education if everyone is involved in shaping it.

Classroom-based learning: Accessing different learning resources and equipment to broaden pupils’ knowledge, and connectivity where possible within lesson plans, so that pupils can draw upon knowledge from different subjects and understand how each topic plays a part in everyday life. Classroom teaching also includes one-to-one and small group tuition for pupils who require additional support.

Extra-curricular activities: We provide a variety of extra-curricular activities for pupils that enhance their learning experience, form personal connections with their peers, and teach skills essential for life beyond school.

School ethos and aims

The overall aims of the curriculum are to:

Enable all pupils to understand that they are all successful learners.
Enable pupils to understand the skills and attributes needed to be a successful learner.
Enable pupils to develop their own personal interests and develop a positive attitude towards learning, so that they enjoy coming to school, and acquire a solid basis for lifelong learning.
Teach pupils the basic skills of literacy, numeracy, computing and science.
Enable pupils to be creative through art, dance, music, drama and design and technology.
Enable pupils to be healthy individuals and appreciate the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Teach pupils about their developing world, including how their environment and society have changed over time.
Help pupils understand the fundamental British values, and enable them to be positive citizens in society who can make a difference.
Fulfil all the requirements of the national curriculum and the locally agreed syllabus for RE.
Teach pupils to have an awareness of their own spiritual development, and to understand right from wrong.
Help pupils understand the importance of truth and fairness, so that they grow up committed to equal opportunities for all.
Enable pupils to have respect for themselves and high self-esteem, and to be able to live and work co-operatively with others.
Enable pupils to be passionate about what they believe in and to develop their own thoughts on different topics.
Enable pupils to develop their intellect including their emotional development, ask questions and take appropriate risks.
Enable pupils to experience playing a musical instrument.
Teach pupils about the importance of forming healthy relationships with friends, family and peers.

Through the aims outlined above, pupils will benefit by:

Learning how to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Understanding that failure is part of the road to success.
Being rewarded for academic successes.
Being supported with their next stages in education and feeling prepared for life beyond school.
Becoming responsible individuals who contribute to community living and the environment.
Achieving to the best of their ability.
Acquiring a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Becoming critical thinkers.
Finding a sense of belonging to the school and its community.
Learning how to cooperate with their peers and respect one another inside and outside the classroom.

Legal framework

1. This policy has due regard to all relevant legislation and statutory guidance including, but not limited to, the following:

The Education Act 2002
The Children Act 2004
The Equality Act 2010
DfE (2017) ‘Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years’
DfE (2013) ‘The national curriculum in England’
DfE (2017) ‘Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage’
DfE (2019) ‘School attendance’

IMPLEMENTATION

At Glenmead Primary School we implement the National Curriculum which is organised by:

Blocking our Humanities Topics at the start of a unit of work so that pupils are exposed to new concepts and vocabulary. An enquiry approach to these subjects engages and motivates pupils to see the world as young geographers or historians, thus developing a wider understanding of the world that we live in.
Carefully linking our reading and writing curricula to Geography and History enquiries so that they provide wider opportunities for reading across the subject matter, as well as supporting pupils’ growing vocabulary. We believe that this enables pupils to draw new knowledge and vocabulary into core subjects.
Linking Art and Design and Design and Technology projects enabling more creative skills, problem solving and practical learning linked to the main topics.
A mixture of discrete and blocked lessons to deliver other curriculum subjects including Maths, RE, PSHE, Science, PE, Music, MFL and Computing.
Further enhance learning experiences through carefully planned educational visits and visiting speakers in school

IMPACT

The Pupils at Glenmead Primary School will receive a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes the development of the

whole child, a love of learning and prepares them for life beyond Glenmead.