Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Overview
In line with our school motto ‘AIM HIGH’, our principal curriculum driver is ASPIRATIONS. Our continuous drive for the achievement of the highest academic standards, coupled with our robust pastoral and extra-curricular provision enables us to fully support all pupils in being aspirational and to achieve readiness for the next stage of their educational journey. Our beliefs in the principles of Respect, Resilience and Inclusion collectively mirror our key school values.
Curriculum Coverage EYFS
For children in Nursery and Reception, we follow the ‘Statutory Framework for the Early Years and Foundation Stage’ which has been effective since September 2021. Our EYFS teaching team offer a creative curriculum that is underpinned by the three prime areas of learning (Communication and Language, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development). These are then supplemented with teaching of the four specific areas of learning (literacy, maths, understanding of the world and expressive arts and design) as set out in the aforementioned statutory framework.
Curriculum Coverage KS1 & KS2
Children in Key Stages 1 and 2 receive a broad and balanced curriculum in each year group. We believe a broad and balanced curriculum to be one which encompasses, across an academic year, the full range of subjects outlined within the statutory National Curriculum effective from 2014 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-primary-curriculum). In order to facilitate children making connections in their learning, we have adopted bespoke ‘golden threads’ for each curriculum subject which apply across both Key Stages. The content of each curriculum area is subject progressive, denoted by ‘milestones’ which state clearly what every pupil should know at different stages.
Additional Needs
At Chilcote, we foster and promote a culture of inclusion where every child has an equal opportunity to succeed and become the best that they can be. We have high expectations for every single child regardless of background, circumstance or additional need and we want to foster a belief in all of our children that they can break any aspirational glass ceilings. Children with additional needs are, as much as possible, fully integrated into the mainstream curriculum using high quality teaching and learning strategies that provide access/scaffolding for all.
Phonics and Reading
Phonics is taught in a highly structured programme of daily lessons across the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 in groups differentiated according to children’s phonic awareness and development. We use Twinkl phonics to support our teaching, which broadly follows letters and sounds. This is supplemented by Phonics Play and other ICT games. Each session gives an opportunity for children to revisit their previous learning, be taught new skills, practise together and apply what they have been taught.
We believe in the power of reading. Learning to read well, and being inspired to become a lifelong reader, is at the core of our curriculum. Reading underpins and drives excellence in all other learning. Reading is first among equals and forms the roots and branches from which our pupils, and all other subjects grow.
At Chilcote Primary School children will learn to read with confidence, fluency and understanding. Children read in school independently, in guided groups and in shared class sessions. They listen to adults and other children read, as well as taking part in paired reading with their own and other age groups. We use a variety of different reading schemes including: Oxford Press, Collins and Pearson and other phonics books, all of which are fully decodable. Children are exposed to a variety of different authors and genres. They have the opportunity to explore class novels (including picture books) in every year group. These texts are used to foster a love of reading as well as develop comprehension ability.
Assessment of reading is undertaken regularly. Teachers also use the online Accelerated Reader scheme (AR), from Year 1 upwards. AR givesteachersthe information they need to monitorstudents’ reading practice and make informed decisions to guide their future learning. Children are rewarded through the AR scheme dependant on the complexity and length of the book they have read. Further information on AR can be found on the schemes website (http://www.renlearn.co.uk/accelerated-reader/).
Safeguarding in the curriculum
We believe every child should feel both physically and emotionally safe. To equip them with the skills and knowledge to achieve this, different aspects of safeguarding are carefully mapped across the curriculum, taking into account pupils' ages and developmental stages.
British Values
The promotion of British Values is also a statutory duty of schools. These values are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. At Chilcote, we promote and embrace these values across our curriculum. They are intertwined within the teaching of multiple areas of our broad and balanced curriculum and are also taught through our bespoke school values. In addition, as a ‘Rights Respecting School’ we also teach the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child articles. These are intertwined with the teaching of our curriculum lessons and are highlighted where appropriate in everyday school life.
Our Promise to Pupils (OPPs)
At Chilcote, every effort is made to ensure that children have opportunities to experience a wide range of experiences beyond the curriculum and the classroom. Throughout their time with us, children will have the opportunity to: learn a musical instrument; engage in outdoor learning (Forest School); participate in residential trips; listen to inspirational speakers; engage in community and/or charity projects or activities; attend cultural, artistic, musical and sporting events; explore future careers; undertake an enterprise project; perform in a range of productions; and have their talents and abilities recognised.
