Our Curriculum

Whole School Curriculum Statement of Intent

Our Curriculum

Our aim is to provide an exciting, engaging curriculum which will open academic doors in the future and enrich the children’s lives in a variety of ways. We believe that education is important to develop the child fully, to pass on to the next generation key ideas from the past, to prepare them for the future, and therefore to build the future of our whole community. As a school, our curriculum, is designed with the following core principles as its focus:

Balanced (where all aspects of a child’s development are equally important)
Rigorous (focusing on the key skills needed in each individual subject)
Coherent (making links between subjects)
Vertically integrated (with sequenced knowledge and skills from EYFS to Year 6)
Appropriate and accessible to all
Focused (on key knowledge and skills)
And Relevant (connecting the children to its key outcomes).

In the 2019/20 academic year, staff have worked collaboratively to focus on the vertical integration of the curriculum, making sure that knowledge and skills are sequenced throughout the school to allow children to build on previous knowledge and progressively know more. Our revised curriculum has a pronounced focus on the Tier 2 and Tier 3 words together with key subject specific vocabulary which children need to be confident with in order to succeed and these are explicitly taught. This is integrated within our long term plans from Nursery – Year 6. Regular retrieval practice (through hinge questions at the start of each lesson and end of unit assessments) allows teachers to build on previous knowledge and probe for deeper understanding as children work through the curriculum. We have also focussed on rigour, ensuring that a themed approach does not detract from the core knowledge (including vocabulary) and skills in each subject. Have clear hinge questions and end of unit assessments ensures all staff are aware of the key knowledge and skills to be covered within each aspect of the curriculum.

In addition to the children’s academic development, at New Brancepeth Primary School, we are committed to their personal development, which is evident in how Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development can be seen throughout the curriculum. Furthermore, we foster a positive mindset in children to develop resilience, confidence and independence as they explore their talents. This is embraced within our resilience passports focused on our Federations core principles of:

D – to discover

I – to be inventive

S – to be secure

C – to be confident

O – to be open minded

V – to be versatile

E – to be empathetic

R – to be responsible

Y – to be yourself

Curriculum Subject Content

We are proud of our curriculum, which our teachers bring alive through interesting, engaging learning opportunities and allow children to ‘open doors’ and enrich their lives in meaningful ways.

For more information on each subject, view our curriculum subject content on our website. For a snap-shot of the curriculum in action in each year group, click on the ‘Yearly Overviews’ below.

Reading and Phonics

View our approach to Reading and Phonics on our website.

Curriculum Plans

You can view or download our Yearly Overviews for each year group by clicking on the relevant document below. In Key Stage 1 and 2, we have a Cycle A and Cycle B due to the fact that some years we have to have mixed year groups.

This year (2020-2021) is Cycle A.

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 recognise that all pupils are entitled to a quality of provision that will enable them to achieve their potential. We believe in positive intervention, removing barriers to learning, raising expectations and levels of achievement, and working in partnership with other agencies to provide a positive educational experience for all our pupils including those with a special educational need or disability. At New Brancepeth Primary School, we ensure that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs make the best possible progress. We pride ourselves in the inclusive nature of our school and are committed to ensuring all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum regardless of need. At New Brancepeth Primary School, we believe that inclusive education means providing all pupils with appropriate education and support alongside their peers. This means our curriculum is sometimes adapted to meet the individual needs of children within our school. Our 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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