Curriculum Statement

Our Curriculum underpins the academic life of our school. As such it is an incredibly important area that is constantly under review. We are always looking for ways to improve the Curriculum and to adapt it so that it meets the changing needs of our children.

Our aims:

To be exciting and inspire a lifelong love of learning and creative thinking.
To foster high expectations and aspirations.
To have an eye on the future and ensure that, as best we can, the children are equipped to face the world in which they will live.
To be inclusive. To instil a moral conscience, a caring attitude and Christian values.

Inclusion

At the heart of our curriculum is Inclusion.

We are an educationally inclusive school, where the teaching and learning, achievements, attitudes and well-being of every learner matters. We provide an inclusive curriculum which meets the needs of all our pupils, including those with disabilities, special educational needs, and different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This includes those with English as an additional language. Learning diversity are recognised and planned for and inclusion statements can be found in each curriculum area highlighting our relentless focus on a 'Curriculum for All'. Any barriers to learning and participation are challenged and removed. All pupils are provided with equality of opportunity. Parents are fully involved in the education of their children and they will be fully informed when special educational provision is being considered for their child.

Intent

At St Lawrence, we foster a love of learning where all children are equipped with the skills to engage and succeed in a global community with ambition and high expectation. We are an outward looking school with a strong sense of community and the desire to design a curriculum which meets the needs of our children.

We aim to provide children with:

A rich and varied curriculum through a range of experiences enabling children to make meaningful connections across all areas of learning, encompassing the values and ethos of St. Lawrence.
A creative approach encouraging curiosity, challenge and enquiry, responding to the individual needs, aspirations and interests of all our children.
Coverage of National Curriculum and EYFS requirements in skills, knowledge and beyond.
Knowledge and content through considered curriculum sequencing in each subject and across the curriculum.
Essential skills in reading, writing and maths applicable to the real world and beyond their time in education.
Motivation to learn through a range of activities and types of learning which make full use of the indoor and outdoor environment where possible.
Exposure to challenges which embed a culture of learning that develops collaboration, independence and resilience.
Opportunities to promote children’s personal development and understanding of their own emotional and physical well-being and be able to express themselves clearly and articulately as unique individuals.
The skills, attitudes, values and behaviours, which will enable them to be active citizens in the local and world community.

Implementation

At the heart of our curriculum are the core subjects but we also value our wider curriculum all focused on depth of learning and mastery of content. This enables teachers to remain with subject/topics for longer ensuring pupils have a sound understanding of the content before moving onto new material.

All children will follow the core subjects of English, Maths, Science and the Foundation subjects of Computing, DT, MFL, Music, Physical Education, Art, History and Geography. In Key Stages 1 and 2, some subjects are taught by subject specialists (for example Music) while others are taught through themes so that children can benefit from the links between them.

The EYFS curriculum is delivered in line with the Foundation Stage profile, covering all 7 areas of learning, through a meaningful and personalised approach.

In addition to these subjects, children receive a bespoke statutory provision in PSHE and RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education). Home Learning is set regularly throughout the school across the year.

At the heart of our planning, we hold our children in mind ensuring equitability and inclusivity. Our lessons ensure:

Each individual learner’s uniqueness, needs and interests are valued and nurtured.
Meaningful curriculum cohesion with opportunities to revisit prior learning in different ways
Subject specific teaching pedagogies and model sequences
Mid-term planning tailored to the interests and needs of each class and child
A range of teaching approaches most appropriate to teaching input and the need of the children; differentiated to make accessible to all
Where possible consolidate learning through experiential experiences, field trips, visits to places of culture, workshops, artefacts, role-play, great books and a range of after-school club activities
Progression of knowledge, skills and understanding which is continually evaluated and adapted ensuring that learning is built upon and embedded over time
Delivery of lessons by reflective, passionate and expert practitioners using tailored pedagogies and approaches

We will continue to provide a challenging and creative curriculum through continuous evaluation and monitoring.

Details of each subject area can be found on the school website under curriculum and class maps which, in Key Stage 2, are run on a two year cycle due to the nature and structure of our classes. Please note we tailor our planning to the interests of our children and respond to their learning in class; maps may change or be adapted in accordance.

Impact

Children will leave at the end of KS2 with sound foundations in all aspects of their learning and personal development; making academic, emotional, social and physical progress over their time with us. They will:

Be ready for the next phase of their education, and their development as a unique individual
Have strong communication skills, both orally and written, and will be respectful and understanding of the views of others
Have acquired the knowledge and skills set out in the primary national curriculum at the end of KS1 and KS2
Take pride in what they do, striving to do the best they can
Be kind, honest and have inclusive attitudes and a sense of their role in the wider world community
Demonstrate the ability to reflect, be resilient and take responsibility for their own learning
Be confident, curious and independent learners

Key drivers that underpin our Curriculum

Vocabulary

Research shows that vocabulary size relates to academic success. It is vital that children acquire a broad vocabulary to enable them to succeed, not only in reading, writing, speaking and listening, but also in science, history and the arts.