Curriculum Design
Intent
At Barford St. Peter’s C.E. (V.A.) Primary School we are committed to ensuring that every child reaches their full potential in their learning through a creative, exciting and rigorous curriculum.
Our intent is for all children at Barford St. Peter’s to learn a depth of knowledge through an enriched curriculum which incorporates a wealth of memorable learning experiences and develops essential personal and social skills in a caring environment based on our deeply Christian ethos.
At Barford St. Peter’s C.E. (V.A.) Primary School we believe that every child is entitled to experience a curriculum which:
- Is carefully sequenced to build upon prior knowledge and experiences
- Is exciting, engaging and enjoyable
- Is full of memorable experiences
- Is broad and balanced
- Develops their natural curiosity and instils a lifelong love of learning
- Fully prepares them socially, morally, intellectually and spiritually to become kind, caring, considerate and responsible citizens who respect others
- Equips them with the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe in a digital age
- Sets secure foundations of essential knowledge in all national curriculum subjects which can be built on throughout their lives
- Enables children to communicate with confidence, both orally and in writing
Underpinning this are our core Christian values of:
Kindness
Thankfulness
Compassion
Respect
Perseverance
Responsibility
Implementation
Knowledge, skills and understanding as outlined in the National Curriculum are taught through half termly learning themes. Details of the overview of learning for each subject are carefully planned using long term and medium term plans for each year group.
Each theme begins with a ‘wow’ opener or ‘sparkly start’ which may include a trip, a visitor or exciting experience in school.
Parents will be invited to share their children’s learning 3 times per year at our ‘Fabulous Finish’ events. They will also be informed of what their child is learning each half term through a curriculum letter and knowledge organiser. This will also outline ways in which parents can help at home.
At Barford St. Peter’s Religious Education is considered as a core subject and is taught for at least one hour per week. This is in addition to collective worship time at the beginning and end of every day.
Children are taught in line with the statutory guidelines for relationships and health education.
From Reception, children are taught to read and write through phonics using the Little Wandle scheme. This is carefully planned to ensure children rapidly develop their early reading skills. More information regarding how we teach early reading can be found on our school website.
Impact
At the end of each half term, children are assessed in foundation subjects. Teachers are able to identify gaps in learning and plan appropriate learning opportunities to ensure that children’s knowledge and skills are secure.
At the end of each term, children complete standardised NFER assessment tests in reading and maths. Every child’s standardised score is carefully scrutinised during pupil progress meetings to ensure they are making good progress. Where this is not the case, targeted interventions are put in place. Writing is moderated both within school and within the local consortia of schools to ascertain whether children are on track to make good progress.
At the end of year 1, children will take the statutory phonics test to ascertain whether they have a secure understanding of phonics. In line with statutory government guidelines, children will take part in Statutory Assessments Tests (SATs) at the end of Key Stage One (year 2) and at the end of Key Stage Two (year 6). At the end of year 4, all children will take the statutory times tables test.
More detailed information regarding the Intent, Implementation and Impact for each subject can be found by clicking on the links below: