Curriculum Provision at New Brancepeth Primary School
Children are taught in classes as follows. These are:
- Nursery
- Reception/Year 1
- Year 1/2
- Year 3/4
- Year 4/5 (mornings only) – in the afternoon the Y4 children join the Y3/4 class and the Y5 children join the Y6 class.
- Year 6 (mornings only)
- Year 5/6 (afternoon)
The School Curriculum
Nursery and Reception children follow the Early Years Statutory Framework, with significant emphasis upon learning through play.
All compulsory subjects of the National Curriculum are followed from Year 1 to Year 6.
These include English, Maths, Science, ICT, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Music , PE, Religious Education and Modern Foreign Languages. ‘Basic Skills’ – English and Maths – are usually taught each morning, with other subjects taught during afternoon sessions.
Staff and Governors have agreed that opportunities to develop an awareness of Multiculturalism, Environmentalism, Enterprise and the pupils’ mining heritage should, wherever possible, be taken when planning schemes of work.
Curriculum Plans
Due to the mixed age class system in operation, planning is structured into two cycles. Cycle A and Cycle B, with each cycle being taught alternate years. This year, we are on Cycle A. These documents give an overview of the topics covered in each class.
English
During daily sessions, there is significant focus in Reception year and Key Stage 1 on reading, through teaching of phonics. As a school we use the governments Letters and Sounds document.
Throughout their time in school, children are encouraged to read at home. Children have regular guided reading sessions with their teacher, where books are discussed and themes explored. Children take books home from the Oxford Reading Tree scheme. These are graded in level of ability and staff monitor progress through the various levels.
Pupils learn how to write in a range of styles for particular purposes, including, reports, instructions, stories and letters. Teachers offer guidance as to how children can improve their work. Children are encouraged to learn spellings and are regularly tested on these. Handwriting is also practised regularly. Opportunities are taken in other areas of the curriculum to reinforce literacy skills.
Maths
During daily sessions children are taught a range of strategies that allow them to calculate mentally, use pencil and paper methods and develop reasoning skills. Emphasis is placed upon counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing, learning and using tables, then practising these skills in practical contexts. Children are also taught how to produce and interpret data as well as explore aspects of shape and space. Maths skills are often used in other areas of the curriculum including Science, Design Technology and PE.
ICT
Within our ICT suite, children follow a progressive curriculum, where skills are learnt and then practised within a range of practical tasks. The practising of ICT skills within a range of other subjects is actively encouraged.
Science
In addition to the prescribed national curriculum content, great emphasis is placed upon developing, through real life contexts, the skills that allow pupils to devise and carry out investigations. Children are increasingly encouraged to think like scientists.
PE
PE is often taught by qualified sports coaches, trained in the delivery of the Durham Core Tasks. Children in Year 5/6 swim weekly, with Year 3/4 children given the opportunity to start in the Spring and Summer term. There is an emphasis upon developing skills within PE lessons, with additional opportunities for competitive sport taking place normally outside of the core school day.
Religious Education
The school follows the locally agreed Durham syllabus. The school enjoys close links with local churches as well as a local mosque. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Education. This must be done by writing to the head teacher.
Other subjects
Teachers try to plan a themed approach to learning, linking subjects through a particular ‘topic’. These topics may include work in Science or RE. During this, opportunities are taken to further practise skills taught in English, Maths and ICT.
Approach to Teaching and Learning
Teachers aim to make learning as engaging and relevant as possible. Wherever possible, a range of practical tasks are devised within a real life purpose. Children are encouraged, with support, to problem solve, overcome difficulties and not be frightened to make mistakes. In English and Maths, children are given agreed targets to move their learning forward, and are encouraged to reflect regularly upon whether they are meeting these targets.
Other key aims of curriculum provision
The school aims to provide:
- Opportunities to be involved in decision making, via the School Council
- A range of after school clubs, complimenting the curriculum, that are free of charge
- A range of sporting opportunities during the school year, including inter school competition
- The opportunity for each child to experience a residential stay in this country at least once during their time in Primary School
- The opportunity for each child to experience a residential stay abroad at least once during their time in Primary School
- The opportunity for each child to perform on stage at least once each year
- The opportunity for each child to go on a school trip at least twice each year
- The opportunity for each child to visit a traditional theatre at least once during their time in Primary School
- The opportunity for children to work with professional artists and visit galleries
- Opportunities to help others and raise money for local, national and international causes
Should you require further clarification about any aspect of our school’s curriculum, please contact the Head teacher.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
At New Brancepeth 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. 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.
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