Curriculum Rationale
School Vision
At Halstead Community Primary School, everyone takes pride in demonstrating respect and kindness. In our inclusive, nurturing environment, we inspire and challenge our children through memorable learning experiences. We build a flourishing family which embraces individuality and independence where everyone can succeed.
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum aims and principles encompass our school vision. As a learning community, we will think about when children learn, what children learn and how they learn. We have designed a curriculum around the knowledge that children learn best when teaching and learning activities enthuse, engage and motivate them to learn, and when they foster their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Our curriculum incorporates our key values:
- Personal excellence
The curriculum is designed for every child to gain knowledge and develop their skills. The sequence of learning is designed so children build on, apply and make connections with previous knowledge. The curriculum fosters an excellent attitude to learning.
- Respect and Friendship
The curriculum is designed to build on the culture and experiences of children in the school. It promotes working together and encourages the children to treat one another with respect. Enrichment activities link to real life and are purposeful.
- Inspiration
The curriculum is designed for every child to have a wide range of experiences and raise their aspirations through planned events. The curriculum develops enquiring minds so that the children learn to think critically.
- Determination and Courage
The curriculum is designed for every child to challenge themselves through:
- Perseverance
- Resilience
- Confidence
- Curiosity
- Enthusiasm
- Reflection
- Reasoning
- Use of a growth mindset
- Equality
The curriculum is designed for every child to reach their potential. This is achieved by ensuring that all children feel valued and listened to. Use of active learning provides opportunities for all to achieve equally at their level.
Implementation
At Halstead Community Primary School, children in reception follow the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage which focuses on seven main areas of learning and development, divided into ‘Prime’ and ‘Specific’ areas. These areas are broken down into 17 Areas of Learning and each has an Early Learning Goal statement for pupils to work towards.
Years 1 to 6 follow the National Curriculum; an in-depth view of which can be found via this link:
The National Curriculum for mathematics is taught through Maths Mastery using the steps of learning sequenced by the White Rose Curriculum.
Throughout Early Years and Key Stage 1, we use Read, Write, Inc. to deliver our phonics.
At Halstead, we understand that learning to read is extremely important and is encompassed in every aspect of the curriculum. We also develop a love for reading as ‘Teachers show their love of reading through the well-chosen books they share with classes. Pupils are keen to read these books as part of the school’s ‘100 books’ reading challenge.’
For years 1 to 6, we teach the remainder of our curriculum on a two year cycle. We use ProspectUs to teach our History, Geography, Art and Design and Design and Technology curriculums. ProspectUs also supports the delivery of some of our English lessons as it is important that the teaching of English is purposeful and linked to aspects of the curriculum where possible. We also use Literacy Tree, which uses high quality books, to deliver carefully sequenced English lessons.
Some elements of our Computing curriculum are topic related but we also support the teaching of Computing with Purplemash Schemes of Work. Children develop scientific skills using the Science Kent Schemes of Work. The Kent agreed syllabus is taught for Religious Education. For music each class learns to play an instrument and the curriculum is supported by Charanga. In key stage 2 the children begin to learn French using Language Angels.
Children’s physical health and fitness is seen as an important part of their curriculum entitlement. We know the health benefits of participating in sport. The children have an afternoon of sport a week as well as the daily mile. We also have a range of extra curricular opportunities that children are encouraged to participate in so that they can develop a life long interest in sport and a greater understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Healthy lifestyle, mental heath, PSHE, British values and other life skills are vital to a child’s development and have been mapped out in our Relationships and Health Programme of Study. At Halstead Community Primary School we believe it is important to support children’s mental health and wellbeing. Increasing awareness of mental health is a focus across the school and we encourage children to talk and listen to each other.
The curriculum maps can be found on the class pages.
Impact
We are ambitious for our children. The children develop knowledge, skills and understanding in all curriculum areas. They are able to evaluate and analyse their own learning and that of others. They are creative and develop a growth mindset. Children leave our school feeling proud of themselves and confident that they can achieve great things in their lives.
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