Curriculum

Key Aims of our Curriculum

At St Edward’s our Christian values underpin all that we do and we constantly seek to create a welcoming, inclusive environment that develops curiosity and a love of learning for all.

Our Intent

We want our children to love being part of the St Edward’s family: One family- sharing, caring and learning together.

We expect learning to be rich in opportunities, link with previous learning and be rooted in context.  Children’ advocacy, leaders in their own learning, through a thematic approach where subjects are weaved together, wherever possible, to give the curriculum purpose.  We have high expectations and celebrate children within each subject e.g. scientists, historians, mathematicians, musicians etc.  Our curriculum takes full advantage of our locality and community and how it has been shaped over time. Our children are safe, happy, healthy, resilient and compassionate.

Implementation

We implement our intent through:

• developing oracy and vocabulary throughout our subjects
• subjects which are linked where possible to build upon previous learning and so the curriculum makes sense.
• the integrity of individual subjects so we can track progress
• parent/carer/community support
• the use of quality text and sources to promote high expectations and exemplar models
• quality feedback, stretch and challenge
• collaborative learning
• time to reflect and respond
• Acts of worship that involve children as leaders and also include strong Christian and British values
• teaching mastery
• assessment for learning

The Cambridge Review

A focus on the individual child’s:

• Well-being
• Engagement
• Empowerment
• Autonomy

In relating to their world to:

• Encourage respect and reciprocity
• Promote interdependence and sustainability
• Empower local, national and global citizenship
• Celebrate culture and community

In providing for their education a focus on:

• Exploring, knowing, understanding, making sense
• Fostering skill
• Exciting the imagination
• Enacting dialogue

Please see our class pages for more information:

https://www.st-edwards.plymouth.sch.uk/class-pages/

Subject Intent, Implementation and Impact

Curriculum Organisation

Early Years Foundation Stage

Our youngest pupils are taught according to a specially designed curriculum, the Early Years Foundation Stage. This curriculum runs from Birth- 5 years and children complete this curriculum at the end of Reception before beginning the National Curriculum in Year One. The curriculum for these pupils consists of seven areas of learning. These are detailed below: 

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Read Write Inc Phonics at St Edward’s

Your child will begin the Read Write Inc Phonics programme when they start with us in FS1 (Nursery) and FS2 (Reception).  

What is Read Write Inc?
When teaching your child to read, we never use letter names at this early stage.  Many schools use different phonics schemes to teach children to read, at St Edward’s, we believe Read Write Inc Phonics is the best scheme to support your child in learning to read.  Read Write Inc uses pure sounds, it removes the 'uh' sounds from words.

For more information please see the class page:

https://www.st-edwards.plymouth.sch.uk/yf/

Subject Progression

For each discrete subject area that comprises our curriculum we have a progression document.  The progression document drives teaching and assessment within that subject.

Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND)

Class teachers continually monitor all of the children in their class, ensuring they meet given expectations in their learning. When this is not the case, in the first instance, additional in-class support will be 'triggered'. Following on from this, advice will be sought from our SENDCo Mrs Evans. Parents may also raise concerns about their child by approaching the class teacher and Mrs Evans.

Children not achieving as expected or having difficulties in learning or behaviour may be identified as having a Special Educational Need. This will then generate a SEND support plan, (please see the Guidelines and Strategies for Interventions in our SEND policy). Children continue to be monitored, through half-termly/six-weekly assessments and progress towards their targets is reviewed three times a year.

Securing additional services to support children can be facilitated by Mrs Evans. We have links to the Educational Psychology Service (EP) and the Communication and Interaction Team (CIT). We can also refer children to the Speech and Language Service, and then carry out suggested interventions.  

In school we run a range of personalised interventions to best suit your child, these will be delivered and reviewed regularly to make sure that they are having an impact on your child’s barriers to learning.  

Please see the Policies section for our SEND Policy.

Collective Worships

Collective Worship takes place daily. Our themes for worship are based on the School Christian Values: Love, kindness, Respect and Courage. We use a variety of resources to support our worship and plan each term alongside calendar events/specific events/festivals etc. We are incredibly lucky that we are supported weekly by the 'Open the Book' team who deliver assemblies in a fun, enthusiastic manner which not only develop children's understanding but also their confidence and self-esteem. Worship is led by staff and children and we encourage visitors to attend or lead our assemblies. Our pupils attend Church at least every term. Children's and staff achievements are celebrated weekly in assembly and also in class. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from collective worship. 

Assessment at St Edward's

Assessment at our school is ongoing for all pupils in our care. Teachers deliver the curriculum that children need by  using the National Curriculum Attainment statements. Assessments against these statements are made by Teachers and Teaching Assistants and are monitored by the senior leaders in school. Children in YF are assessed against the Early Learning Goals. Children in years 1,3,4, & 5 are assessed against the new National Expectations for each year group. 

The school uses an online tracking facility that enables us to track individual, groups and classes of children. Children will continue to take the Y1 phonics test and end of key stage SATs. From 2020 a times table test will be administered in Y4 also, we were part of the pilot last year and the children are able to practise regularly to demystify the test.

Parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers on the progress and attainment of their child. Termly opportunities are set up in a range of ways e.g. Family learning conferences where your child guides you through their learning and then you have a conversation with the class teacher, spring term report and summer short report/conversation. In Foundation, parents are encouraged to come to school on regular occasions to share their child's learning journeys.

Enhancing the Curriculum

There are many opportunities throughout the term where we try to further enhance learning opportunities for children. These include whole school trips eg to Eden Project, Paignton Zoo and sleepovers. There is a planned programme of Outdoor activities for our pupils:-

Yf Balancability (learning to ride a bike with no stabilizers) Y4 Swimming, rowing, inclusion games, Bikeability ( learning to ride on roads), Outdoor Education,  Y6 Heatree House & life skills week including a First Aid certificate and much more.

All children take part in termly year group assembly. 

For further information, see our regular newsletters and curriculum overview maps on class pages.

English

We believe that English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English teaches pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society.

Key Stage 1 (KS1)

In KS1, pupils learn to be confident when speaking, listen carefully to others, read and write independently and use language for exploration.

Spoken language

During KS1, pupils learn to speak clearly, thinking about the needs of their listeners. They learn to listen carefully to what is being said by others and learn to use language imaginatively to express their ideas through role play and drama.

Reading

During KS1 pupils begin to develop interest and pleasure in reading as they learn to read confidently and independently. Their focus is on words and sentences and the meaning of simple texts. Pupils are encouraged to share their opinions of texts, saying whether they like them or not.

Writing

It is in KS1 that pupils begin to see the value of writing. They learn to communicate their thoughts in both narrative and non-fiction texts whilst practising their spelling and punctuation.

Phonics

Our pupils follow; Read Write Inc in Foundation and Year 1 with the Spelling elements of the new curriculum in Year 1 and Year 2.

Key Stage 2 (KS2)

In KS2, pupils learn to change the way they speak and write to suit a variety of situations, purposes and audiences. They both read and respond to texts and explore the use of language in them.

Spoken language

During KS2, pupils learn how to speak in a range of contexts paying attention to what they say and how it will be understood by their audience. They may take varied roles in group situations which will give them the opportunity to contribute in a range of ways. Pupils will also respond to others, paying attention to what has been said and the type of language used.

Reading

During KS2 pupils are encouraged to increase their ability to read challenging and lengthy texts independently. They both discuss and analyse the texts with others.

Writing

In KS2 pupils understand that writing is essential to thinking and learning, whilst being enjoyable in its own right. They learn the rules and conventions of written English and use this to express meaning in a range of different ways. Pupils work through the planning, drafting and editing process to improve their own work and also support their peers by peer-editing their work.

At St Edwards, English drives all other areas of the curriculum!

Maths

Mathematics equips pupils with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in abstract ways. Mathematics is important in everyday life, in many forms of employment, science, technology, medicine, the economy, the environment and in public decision making. Over time different cultures have contributed to the development and application of Mathematics. Today, Mathematics transcends cultural boundaries and its importance is universally recognised. Mathematics is a creative discipline. It can stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder when a pupil solves a problem for the first time, discovers a more elegant solution to that problem, or suddenly sees a hidden connection.

In Key Stage 1 the children develop their knowledge and understanding of maths through practical activites, games, exploration and discussion. They learn to count, read, write and order numbers to at least 100. They are encouraged to develop a range of mental skills and strategies and use these when solving calculations. They learn about shape and space through practical activities and where possible these are linked to other topic areas they are learning about. They are encouraged to use mathematical language what talking about how they solved a problem.

In Key Stage 2 the children build on their knowledge and skills. They use numbers and the number system more confidently and make links in their learning. They carry out calculations using all four number operations. The children are encouraged to try mental methods initially when solving calculations or problems, before moving onto other methods. The children develop their knowledge and understanding of features of shapes and their properties and increase the accuracy of their measuring skills. The children are encouraged to discuss and present their work using a wider range of mathematical vocabulary, diagrams and charts.

In the Foundation Year during the Autumn and Spring Terms the pupils undertake a mixture of teacher-led and child-initiated activities and whole class counting games and activities throughout the day. This is built on during the year so that by Term 6 the pupils are ready to take full part in a dedicated Mathematics lesson.

In KS1 & KS2 Mathematics teaching generally takes place on a daily basis and lasts for between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

In some instances, Mathematics teaching may take place during topic-based sessions rather than dedicated maths lessons.

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Science

At St Edward's we aim to provide a broad and balanced science curriculum that enables all children with the opportunity to engage in innovative and engaging lessons. Across the school, a wide variety of topics are taught in line with the National Curriculum. Our lessons foster children’s curiosity and engagement within their learning and broadens their scientific understanding of the world around them. We aim to provide children with an eagerness to follow all lines of enquiry and equips them with the skills to understand the different scientific careers within their own community. To fulfil these aims, children need to acquire both substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge; identifying questions that can be addressed scientifically; planning and carrying out experiments; evaluation data; and recognising the limitations of their own and others’ work.

History

History at St Edward’s C of E Primary and Nursery School

At St Edward’s C of E Primary School and Nursery the principle aim of history is that through the teaching of history skills, knowledge and understanding, pupils learn about significant people, events and places from both the recent and more distant past. They learn about change and continuity in the local area, in Britain and in other parts of the world. They look at history from various perspectives including, political, economic, technological, scientific, social, religious, and cultural. Children think critically about fact and opinion and use different sources of information to help them investigate the past both in depth and in an overview, using dates and historical vocabulary to describe events, people and developments. Where possible, use is made of the local environment and community, and children learn that the past can be represented and interpreted in different ways.

Geography 

Through the teaching of geographical skills, knowledge and understanding, pupils better learn about the interaction of human beings with their environments at a variety of scales from local to global. At St Edward’s C of E Primary and Nursery School our geography curriculum will engage and motivate children to see the world through the eyes of young geographers. We will deliver a curriculum that: • Inspires a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people • Equips children with an understanding of diverse places, people, resources and environments around them • Allows children to build on prior learning about physical and human processes and the formation and use of landscapes and environments • Develops an understanding that the Earth’s features are interconnected and change over time • Encourages exploration of their own environment and challenges pupils to make connections between their local surroundings and that of contrasting settlements • Use the local area and community as well as the wider world to develop geographical skills and knowledge • Sequentially builds upon children’s basic geographical knowledge.

Art & Design

Throughout KS1 and KS2, our Art and Design curriculum is skills based. Each Year group covers the range of visual and tactile elements of Art, including colour, tone, form, texture, pattern, shape, space and line.  During KS1 and KS2, children develop a variety of skills using different materials and processes.

In order to make meaningful cross curricular links, the teaching and learning of materials and processes has successfully been linked to topic based year group learning. The teaching and learning of visual and tactile elements runs alongside this, and certain elements are highlighted specifically for certain year groups, in order to enhance the teaching and learning of materials and processes.

There is a balance of 2D and 3D outcomes planned into the Art and Design curriculum for KS1 and KS2. Throughout each Key Stage, children learn about a range of artists, craftspeople and designers from different times and cultures. They explore a range of starting points for practical work, including themselves, their experiences, stories, natural and manmade objects and the local environment. They also investigate different kinds of Art, craft and design either in the locality, in original and reproduction form. This includes visits to Art exhibitions where possible, and looking at Art in galleries on the Internet. Opportunities are keenly sought to work collaboratively with other local schools and with Artists. 

MUSIC

At St Edward’s we offer an exciting and varied music curriculum.

In KS1, children learn to play both tuned and untuned percussion instruments as they explore traditional stories such as The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Jack and the Beanstalk. They learn to play the djembe and the steel pans as we explore music from Africa and the Caribbean, creating soundscapes to accompany traditional stories from each region.

Ks1 children learn to identify instruments of the orchestra through listening to a variety of musical genres and explore the use of the musical elements (including dynamics, tempo and pitch) in both listening activities, and through playing instruments.

The children learn to read and follow various types of notation including rhythm grids, graphic scores and the basics of standard notation. There is a composition element as the children learn to play the djembes as they invent and notate rhythms which are then layered to create a class composition.

Ks1 children also perform a Nativity play each December where the focus is on good singing practice, including posture, diction and performance technique. The children in years FS – Y2 also make up over 50% of the peripatetic numbers as they learn to play drums, guitar and keyboards as well as vocals whilst taking lessons through Rocksteady Music School.

In KS2 the children have a two-year rolling programme of whole class ensemble teaching, where they learn to play a variety of instruments including the ukulele, djembe, steel pans, violin, recorder, tuned and untuned percussion.

Listening activities include identifying different genres of music from the Caribbean as well as music from different cultures and traditions. The children also learn about the great composers as well as exploring the history of music and popular musical genres from the 20^th century.

A variety of notation is used when playing both the djembe and steel pans with an emphasis on reading and following standard notation as the children develop their knowledge as they move from lower into upper KS2 whilst learning to play the ukuleles, tuned percussion, the recorder and the violin.

Various music performances take place throughout the school year as children are given the opportunity to show what they have been working on in class, during achievement assemblies and class assemblies to parents and families. Our KS2 school choir regularly perform both in school and in the wider community such as singing for the Clarks pensioners each December and at the Plymouth Music Hub’s Musicality event held at the Plymouth Pavilions each spring.

KS2 children have the opportunity to showcase their learning at the annual Christmas Carol Service where each class performs an accompaniment to a Christmas song. It is a truly collaborative event where the whole of the Key stage work together, combining instruments, song and speech to retell the Christmas story.

In addition to regular performance opportunities, St Edward’s is always keen to welcome visiting performers including Disney Princess Elsa from Frozen which linked to the KS1 topic of Ice . The Ivybridge U3A choir came in to perform as well as to collaborate on various songs with the children. We linked our musical learning to our MFl when we had a visit from a group of French performers who treated us to “Une Souris Verte”, an interactive story set in the forest which was performed in the outdoor learning area in the school grounds.

Modern Foreign Languages

Sports & P.E.

PE plays a really crucial role in the physical and emotional development of all children. Our children regularly have more than the National expectations of physical exercise for primary age pupils. Aside from the two hours of PE that all children across the school undertake each week, children have the opportunity to take part in Plymouth city wide competitive activities such as Brickfelds, Marjons Tag Rugby festivals, Cross Country and football events. Extra Curricular sporting activities include Taekwondo, Football, Street Dance, Dodge Ball, Multi Skills and Tag Rugby. We take part in the Plymouth Half Marathon Schools Challenge event annually and over the last 2 years have used this event to raise in excess of £1000 for charity.

In 2013 we received additional Government funding, as part of the Olympics Legacy, to further develop and enhance sporting opportunities in our school.  We have initially used some of this money to help further boost the range of sports children can access with a visiting external sports coach.  As we continue moving forward we are excited about investing this money into a range of different opportunities for our children to enjoy sport, the challenges and competition that can arise, while making children aware of all the positive benefits that sport can bring them.

We also look forward to the Summer term when not only do we hope for great weather but our children get to showcase their talents in our annual Sports Day.  Have a look at the PE provision section of our website (located in 'About Us') for all the photos!

Religious Education                                               

All children have weekly R.E. lessons and we use the agreed Devon, Plymouth syllabus. We believe children should have an understanding, an increased awareness and a growing respect for  the variety of faiths and cultures in our World. With this in mind, we aim to give them interesting and exciting opportunities so that they can learn first hand.  Our Reverend, Chris Routledge, supports us with the delivery of RE in school by bringing resources and speakers from our local Church community.

British Values and Principles

We are part of a British society, and it is important to us that children learn the universal principles of:

• Self-help
• Self-responsibility
• Democracy
• Equality
• Equity
• Solidarity
• Openness
• Honesty
• Social responsibility
• Caring for others

We achieve these values, for all staff and pupils,  by:

Creating an open, inclusive ethos where children  and adults can be themselves, develop courtesy, respect and tolerance for others.

Promoting mental health and wellbeing through our curriculum as well as using in house and external agency support.

Promoting equality of opportunity outlined in our policies

Having a clear code of conduct, where children  are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions

Encouraging the use of our  ‘collaborative cow’  learning muscle

Supporting and promoting leadership skills and responsibilities within the school

Taking an active interest in our  service and more vulnerable  families

Our  broad and balanced Curriculum promotes these values by providing opportunities:

- to  celebrate diversity, different festivals and key celebrations in  the year

- to learn about our nation and its heritage, for example, Plymouth in the Blitz, the First World War topic and Remembrance  service

- to learn about Key British leaders, explorers and inventors

- to use of our local area

-that encourage a  sense of community responsibility;  the local Church, co-operative, garden centre, police and fire services etc..

-to learn about cultures and faiths; how are we different from one another, and how are we the same?

-to understand Plymouth as part of a global community; learning about and communicating with children from across the world