Alsagers Bank Primary Academy Curriculum 

What is a curriculum?

A curriculum is set guidelines that have been established to help educators decide on the content of a programme of study – what the children will learn.  It is the curriculum that gives out the lesson objectives, the contents – skills and knowledge and the methods that will be used to teach.  Therefore, it prescribes not only what should be taught or how it should be taught, but also why something should be taught.  

The school curriculum includes the national curriculum and religious education.  The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so that children learn the same things.  It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.  

The Alsagers Bank curriculum details how we as a school implement and teach the subjects within the National Curriculum and the methods we use to meet the needs of the children at our school.  

Intent

At Alsagers Bank Primary Academy, we strive to enhance the core National Curriculum by providing an ambitious, broad and balanced programme of study which is current, interesting and exciting; building on our children's enthusiasm for learning and tailored to the specific needs, life experiences, opportunities and limitations of our catchment area.    Our curriculum has been constructed to be ambitious and designed to give all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or high needs, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life 

We aim to do this by ensuring themes and topics are inclusive and diverse in all subjects and sequenced appropriately to enable the children to make connections and ensure progression for each child by building on prior knowledge.    Through this intelligent repetition we aim that most children will meet, and some will exceed national expectations and are ready to access the next stage of their education without any barriers. 

Through our curriculum, we want to prepare children for the diverse, multi-cultural and ever-changing society in which we live in today.   We believe that there are many important skills and attributes that the children need to develop to be successful and we believe that our curriculum will provide them with the opportunities to do that. We want children to be tolerant individuals who are accepting of difference and who do not see difference as something to be scared of. We want to develop their ability to listen to the views of others with respect before deciding for themselves. We want the children to be interested in the world around them, to be able to ask questions and to be inquisitive. They need to be able to work in teams to reach a common goal. In order to achieve all this, we give the children a wide range of experiences through our curriculum and push them out of their 'comfort zones', helping them to become thoughtful, independent individuals by learning together where possible.  

Implementation

• Outdoor learning opportunities are embraces where possible to improve engagement in all subjects. 
• Our Early Years children follow the EYFS curriculum and enjoy play based learning experiences where many opportunities are brought to life through visitors, visits and hands on creative experiences. 
• KS1 classes follow the National Curriculum with creative learning experiences to link, where possible the foundation subjects, where the core skills feature highly as a focus of all lessons taught.
• With a unique and constantly changing class structure in Key Stage 2, children are registered and remain in their base classes for reading, basic skills and English in the morning and return for whole class reading and reflection in the afternoon. 
• KS2 children move into their year groups for maths and some foundation subjects, with all KS2 teachers taking responsibility for the teaching of and subject leadership of a foundation subject. 
• All children from Nursery to Year 6 take part in our unique Enrichment programme on a weekly basis to develop and nurture their individual strengths and to broaden their experiences.  Embracing our school ethos of Learning Together, the children move into their house groups in mixed aged ranges from Nursery to Year 6.  This helps to build relationships of the children across the school, develop tolerance, understanding and encourages nurturing and empathy skills.  The enhancement programme is child initiated with experiences planned from child suggestions, interests and current trends and themes.  Volunteering opportunities within the local community, dance and forest schools, music, art and crafts, cookery, gardening and team building are also offered as part of this programme.  
• PE is provided by and external specialist provider who also offers a range of afterschool clubs to enhance the PE curriculum.  
• A range of afterschool activities are provided to enhance and broaden the children’s experiences and to provide further opportunities for personal development.  

Impact

Our curriculum has an ambition for high achievement of all pupils irrespective of background and starting point.  This achievement is represented in three key areas. 

• Standards

For children to make excellent progress and for attainment to be in line or better than national expectations in all subjects.

The impact on standards will be measured by data.

• Success

For children to be confident and successful learners who are constantly engaged and excited to learn.  

• Personal Development 

For children’s attitude, behaviour to learning and behaviour in and around the school to be positive at all times.  For children to make the right choices that benefit themselves, the school and the local community.   

The impact of success and personal development will be measured by pupil voice and parent questionnaire and data.

If you require further information about our curriculum, please contact our Head Teacher, Mrs L Chell.