West End Primary School Curriculum
At West End Primary School we offer a curriculum which is broad, balanced and which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the new National Curriculum 2014 and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the pupils in our school. The aim of our curriculum is for pupils to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education.
Some pupils are still working on the Early Learning Goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum as they enter Year 1. During the Autumn Term the majority of children progress on to the National Curriculum. Throughout this period and beyond all children are still developing their phonic knowledge through the Read, Write Inc. Phonics Programme and developing their fluency in reading through the guided reading and home reading scheme.
The National Curriculum is delivered using our own in-house developed scheme of work. This scheme adopts a variety of approaches to the delivery of lessons, some through a topic format others through discrete subjects. Whilst the scheme is considered a starting point towards the development of the curriculum teachers and staff are mindful of global, national and local events ensuring the children have a breadth of knowledge. In addition to this some classes cover content that is specific to our school due to the local importance (particularly those that cover locality and local history)
National requirements are mapped out as a whole school and individual year groups plan the curriculum for their pupils accordingly. Through Personal, Social and Health Education and Religious Education the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils and their understanding of the core values of our society are covered.
The more able are challenged further in their learning and children who find aspects of their learning more difficult are appropriately supported so that they too are enabled to experience success.
The English curriculum is supported through frameworks developed by consultants and coordinators within the Local Authority. In all year groups, there are small group interventions in order to support pupils in gaining the key skills to become successful readers and writers.
Our Maths curriculum is delivered through a highly structured Maths Mastery program called Maths No Problem. This scheme develops the children's mathematical skills and understanding through lessons that are clearly sequenced to promote mastery of maths.
All subject leaders are given training and opportunity to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school.
Memorable experiences, whole school activities and opportunities within and outside school all enrich and develop the children’s learning. Quality teaching is expected in all lessons and the school is well provisioned in terms of learning materials, books and technology.
The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an opportunity for active learning for all our pupils. The school grounds have been developed so they can enrich different curriculum areas, particularly science.
Pupils have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through school assemblies, performances, competitions and events involving other schools. Pupils learning is shared with parents using the school’s Earwig platform.
Developing their independence and motivation as learners and their sense of responsibility as future citizens is at the heart of all our teaching and learning. In addition to this our school is committed to sharing and celebrating our British Values through assemblies, PSHE lessons, the work of the school council and house captains.
