Children’s learning is the central purpose of everything connected with the Curriculum. Helping children learn – academically, socially, spiritually, morally, emotionally, and physically – is the only real purpose of schools. We believe authentic relationships and high expectations are the key to our rapidly improving school.
At the Priory Church of England Primary School we aim to provide our pupils with a curriculum that is broad and balanced. Put simply, this means that we aim to provide an inspiring curriculum which provides children with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to develop into well-rounded, informed individuals. In other words, that alongside the need to prepare children for national curriculum tests, we also value and give time to the Arts, sport, science, computing and the full range of other subjects.
We are in the process of developing a bespoke curriculum for the Priory School, which covers the National Curriculum programmes of study, but is also unique to our setting and the needs of our children. As you can imagine, this is an ever-evolving task.
As a first step towards this, we have written detailed curriculum maps which explain what the children will be learning in each subject area across the year. We would love to discuss these with you and our curriculum principles at our annual School Conference in January.
Curriculum Maps
We are keen to promote both excellence and enjoyment throughout our curriculum. In Literacy, we follow a Talk for Writing approach, which encourages the children to orally rehearse before recording. In Maths, we adopt a mastery approach and use a scheme of work based on the Singapore model called Maths No Problem! It follows a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach to really embed concepts and deepen understanding.
We follow a thematic approach for Foundation subjects, usually based on a History or Geography topic, with a golden thread which runs through the different subjects. We make cross-curricular links across subjects where possible and enable children to follow their own lines of enquiry.
Art and Design
Art and Design makes a unique contribution to the development of the child. All of the children at The Priory are encouraged to enjoy and appreciate Art and Design, and to respond and express themselves creatively.
During their time at The Priory, pupils are equipped with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works. In class, Art and Design is sometimes taught as a discrete activity, but may also be incorporated into the topic-based curriculum and through cross-curricular learning. Pupils are taught to use materials, tools and techniques for practical work in accordance with current health and safety requirements.
Here are some pictures from our recent Arts week.
Geography
Geography is a valued part of the curriculum, providing a purposeful means for exploring, appreciating and understanding the world in which we live and how it has evolved. Geography explores the relationship between the Earth and its people through the study of place, space and environment.
History
History is a foundation subject within the National Curriculum 2014. History will be taught through a topic based approach whenever possible using a range of resources to support planning, teaching and assessment. The study of History aims to give children a sense of their own identity within our social, political, cultural and economic background.
Music
Music is a unique method of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. It allows for personal expression, and it can play an important part in the personal development of pupils. From the day they arrive in Reception, pupils are taught a wide range of techniques.
At the Priory, music is taught through performing, composing and music is created, produced and communicated. Pupils are taught to sing, and to use tuned and untuned percussion instruments individually and in groups. Through performing and listening children learn the elements of music, which include pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations. Music also plays a vital role in many weekly and yearly events of the school calendar. Songs are chosen for whole-school-singing that contribute to the topics explored in assemblies and there are many opportunities to perform at various events throughout the year, these may include our Nativity Service or drama production. Pupils also have the chance to take part in various workshops and festivals while in school, as well as having the option of joining Glee Club.
Peripatetic lessons are also available in Guitar, Violin, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder and Piano. There is a charge for these peripatetic lessons but no child will be denied the opportunity to learn an instrument due to an inability to pay.
Sport
We believe sport is so important to children’s well-being that we have dedicated a separate section on our website.
All children are timetabled for 2 hours Physical activity each week. This is usually an indoor PE lesson, consisting of gymnastics or dance and an outdoor Games lesson.
In 2018-19 our class 4 will be going swimming during the Spring term and our class 3 will be swimming during the Summer term.
