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Curriculum Intent and Implementation Summary

We have a clear vision and shared aims.  We teach the Gospel values in all subject areas and endeavour to develop Christian characteristics throughout each day. Social disadvantage is powerfully addressed.

In each subject area, teachers are clear of the learning sequence that best ensures that the children are knowing more and remembering more. Our curriculum is rooted in a solid consensus of the knowledge and skills needed for the children to take advantage of their secondary school education.

The National Curriculum is followed plus the Come and See scheme for RE and Journey of Life for RSE.

Reading

Our teachers are experts at teaching phonics.  They use the Read Write Inc system.  Phonetical knowledge is built upon using the associated reading scheme in Reception and KS1.

Children in EYFS through to the end of Key Stage access books from the Read Write Inc scheme.  They also read books at home from a range of other schemes.  We have a well-stocked and exciting library which the children choose either fiction or non-fiction books. In KS1 children have guided reading sessions for 20 minutes every week. Reading records are regularly checked and ensure parental involvement.

When ready, children in Year 2 and KS2 will enter the Accelerated Reader programme.

In KS2 every class has 30 minutes of reading time. Once a week they have a guided reading session.

Quality text is utilised in the Literacy sequence of learning.  Children learn the higher order reading skills and are given opportunities to learn Tier 2 vocabulary.

Writing

In daily English lessons, reading and writing are closely linked to the children’s History and Geography work and we continue to maintain this strong cross-curricular focus.

Knowledge and skills are built upon as children progress through the school years.   The two weekly teaching sequence - Explore > Design > Draft > Evaluate > Publish – is consistently applied across KS1 and KS2.

Children develop into confident writers.  By the end of KS2 they have the skills needed to write coherently and accurately in a range of genres, adapting their style to suit the audience.  They are able to write their ideas clearly and fluently.  They have knowledge of grammar conventions to enable them to write successfully.  They develop a wide vocabulary. They have the necessary skills for transcription (handwriting and spelling) and composition.

Topic

We have adopted a topic based approach which is well established.  Most writing is taught with the topic as the context.  The topic/context changes termly or half termly and will either be Historical or Geographical.  History or Geography knowledge and vocabulary is reiterated within the writing lessons.  Art and DT tend to be linked to the focus of the topic and are taught in half termly blocks. A half termly topic will include an art or a DT project.

Numeracy

Our Maths methods are well established and numeracy is taught separately from any topic context.  There is a clear and logical sequence of ‘concrete – visual – abstract’ for building skills and acquiring knowledge.  The Big Maths programme ensures the children develop a secure knowledge of number bonds, times tables and calculation methods.  This gives them the fluency needed to confidently approach problem solving activities. 

Science, MFL, Computing, Music, PE

These subjects are taught separately from any topic context unless there is a useful link that can be utilised.  The sequence of learning for these subjects is clear and logically planned to ensure that the children build on prior knowledge and skills.

For computing we use the Purple Mash scheme supplemented by activities form the Switched On Programme.

For Music we use the Musical Express published scheme.

For PE, teachers plan from our own scheme of work which has been developed over a number of years.  Sports coaches from St Paul’s enhance our provision.  Children in Year 5 attend swimming lessons weekly. 

For MFL, we start teaching German in KS2.  The focus is on basic conversational skills and developing an understanding of German culture. We concentrate on the skills the children will need to learn a MFL at their secondary school.

In Science we follow the National Curriculum year group plan. 

Teaching Hours

Key Stage 2           - 25 hrs, 50 minutes per week

Key Stage 1           - 24 hrs, 35 minutes per week

Access to Documentation

Copies of the school documentation are kept in the school office.

Parental Involvement

It is important that your child sees there is co-operation between home and school. If you have a problem that is likely to affect your child in school please contact your child's class teacher. Should you have any general queries please phone the school and you will be directed to someone who can give you an answer.

Help in the school

Parents frequently help in the school with small groups, for cookery and craft activities. Help is also sought for school trips and related ventures. One of those ventures would be sports activities, when help is needed to take children to venues. If you feel you can help don't wait to be asked, please volunteer. Please note that all people working with or helping children need to have DBS clearance. Forms are available from the office.

Fund raising and social events

Throughout the year several social events are arranged, some of them fund raising. Please support these events. Funds raised are used to provide equipment and facilities for the children to use or benefit from in many ways. The Bishop Parker Friends' Association meets regularly and supports the school as a community. Its objectives are enshrined in a constitution. An Annual General Meeting is held each year at which a committee is elected.

Extra Curricular Activities

The children are given the opportunity to take part in football, hockey, netball, basketball, athletics and other competitive games out of school time. Other extra curricular activities include singing, school council, karate, gardening, dancing, Rainbows, Italian. Parents are asked to encourage and support the children in these out-of-school activities and help us to develop a sense of commitment and loyalty, which is important as training for life.

You can view your child's curriculum for each half term on their class page under curriculum.