Curriculum
Sandringham and West Newton Primary School Curriculum Rationale
Intent
Our curriculum at Sandringham and West Newton Primary School is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It provides opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident and successful learners, with high aspirations, who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society.
The curriculum ensures that academic success, creativity and problem solving, reliability, responsibility and resilience, as well as physical development, well-being and outdoor learning are key elements that support the development of the whole child and promote a positive attitude to learning. This is embedded in all aspects of school life through the teaching of Christian Values and an emphasis on children learning cooperatively.
Our curriculum is designed to make full use of the unique school setting and utilises the skills and knowledge of all stakeholders to support the children’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural development, ensuring that children are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
Implementation
The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school. Some of our content is subject specific but where appropriate, a blocked curriculum approach has been implemented to ensure coverage and progression in a number of curriculum areas. This approach provides the opportunity for topic-themed learning, fostering each child’s curiosity and interest throughout each topic and also enabling the achievement of depth in knowledge and skills. Opportunities for child voice are planned at the beginning of each new topic and this is used to inform the learning for each topic to ensure relevance.
Nestled in the heart of the Sandringham Estate, the school’s community is rich in heritage and tradition. This link is drawn upon as often as possible (where relevant), as well as engagement with the wider community, to enrich children’s learning opportunities. The curriculum provides children with memorable experiences, such as ‘Learning Together Days’, trips and visitors into school, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills.
The school makes a conscious effort to engage with initiatives that will enable further development and excellence in specific areas and has recently been awarded Gold RE Quality Mark. The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an opportunity for active learning for all our children. The school grounds have been developed to incorporate Forest Schools which has become much-loved part of each school week.
Sandringham and West Newton Primary School makes full use of the skills of a wide range of professionals; throughout their time at the school, children will work with specialist instructors, musicians and sports coaches. The school was recently awarded a Gold PE Quality Mark and has an impressive track record for performance in competitive sports. Arts, music and performance have a high profile in the school and each year put on a highly thought of summer production. Additionally, the school facilitates peripatetic music lessons on site for all children who desire to learn an instrument. We have recently applied for an Artsmark and are waiting to see which award we are given.
The school takes pride in providing a nurturing environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and most make good progress in most subjects and areas of learning. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged and supported through being offered tasks which provide opportunities for greater depth and those who struggle are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.
Impact
The innovative practice across the school provides a strong foundation and opportunities for children to collaborate and develop social skills both indoors and out. This curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and small groups of children can be met within the environment of high quality first wave teaching, supported by targeted, proven interventions where appropriate. In this way it can be seen to impact in a very positive way on children’s outcomes.
Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour. Children feel safe to try new things and work towards a Personal Development criteria. High quality visits and visitors to the school enhance the curriculum and provide opportunities for writing for a purpose.
Children have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through open mornings, performances, competitions and events involving other schools. Growing their independence and motivation as learners and their sense of responsibility as future citizens is at the heart of all our teaching and learning.
