Curriculum
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Our Curriculum
As part of the cross-phase Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, we use the Base Curriculum. This is a broad and balanced curriculum, which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points, as they progress through each Key Stage.
Bridestowe’s curriculum is inclusive and allows all types of learners, those with SEN and high ability and talented children to thrive.
Our children are encouraged to think about how they are respecting the school, community and world around them, how they are becoming good citizens. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 and is enriched through experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school. Our curriculum is inclusive and highly ambitions for all pupils, including those with SEND and the most disadvantaged.
Reading is a priority throughout the school, we want all children to be fluent and confident readers so that they can use this skill to read widely and access knowledge across the curriculum. Through this, they will be able to improve their vocabulary.
The school faces some specific challenges, such as rural isolation, lack of cultural diversity and poor communication networks. Our curriculum has been specifically designed to overcome these barriers to the children developing cultural capital. For example, we build opportunities for trips and visits into our curriculum on a regular basis. The children have opportunity to go into urban centres and experience new cultures on day and residential trips. The design of our computing curriculum, with a strong focus on online safety, means we are able to build our children’s experiences of the wider world through the safe use of ICT.
We foster a love for education, school, friends, family and ourselves. Using personal, social, emotional and health education and RE lessons we encourage a strong personal focus on care and compassion for others. Wherever possible children will take part in a trip, visitor or experience each term. The school places a high priority on the performing arts; public speaking, dance, drama, singing and music.
The main aim of our curriculum is for children to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education; preparing them for life as global citizens in the 21st century.
Children who attend Bridestowe Primary School build cultural capital by working within the community and local church to improve their local area. The school has strong links with the Anglican and Methodist churches as well as members of our community. We strive to ensure all our children are lifelong learners and build upon their skills and knowledge gained at our school.
The school puts a high priority of PE and sport provision. Through PE lessons, extracurricular activities and competitive sport we encourage all our children to achieve their potential. The main aim of our curriculum is for children to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education; preparing them for life as global citizens in the 21st century. The school has a well-developed calendar of performing arts opportunities, from Nativity with our youngest children to the end of Year 6 performance. Confidence, public speaking, singing, music and drama are all actively encouraged which build lifelong skills. We strive to ensure all our children are lifelong learners and build upon their skills and knowledge gained at our school.
The school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum during a child’s first year in school. From Year 1 the National curriculum subjects are taught:
English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, History, Geography, Music, French, Art & Design, and Design & Technology
Additionally:
Religious Education & PSHE
If you would like to find out more about our curriculum, please speak to a class teacher, our Principal, or an Executive Principal.
Bridestowe’s curriculum is inclusive and allows all types of learners, those with SEN and high ability and talented children to thrive.
Our children are encouraged to think about how they are respecting the school, community and world around them, how they are becoming good citizens. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 and is enriched through experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school. Our curriculum is inclusive and highly ambitions for all pupils, including those with SEND and the most disadvantaged.
Reading is a priority throughout the school, we want all children to be fluent and confident readers so that they can use this skill to read widely and access knowledge across the curriculum. Through this, they will be able to improve their vocabulary.
The school faces some specific challenges, such as rural isolation, lack of cultural diversity and poor communication networks. Our curriculum has been specifically designed to overcome these barriers to the children developing cultural capital. For example, we build opportunities for trips and visits into our curriculum on a regular basis. The children have opportunity to go into urban centres and experience new cultures on day and residential trips. The design of our computing curriculum, with a strong focus on online safety, means we are able to build our children’s experiences of the wider world through the safe use of ICT.
We foster a love for education, school, friends, family and ourselves. Using personal, social, emotional and health education and RE lessons we encourage a strong personal focus on care and compassion for others. Wherever possible children will take part in a trip, visitor or experience each term. The school places a high priority on the performing arts; public speaking, dance, drama, singing and music.
The main aim of our curriculum is for children to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education; preparing them for life as global citizens in the 21st century.
Children who attend Bridestowe Primary School build cultural capital by working within the community and local church to improve their local area. The school has strong links with the Anglican and Methodist churches as well as members of our community. We strive to ensure all our children are lifelong learners and build upon their skills and knowledge gained at our school.
The school puts a high priority of PE and sport provision. Through PE lessons, extracurricular activities and competitive sport we encourage all our children to achieve their potential. The main aim of our curriculum is for children to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education; preparing them for life as global citizens in the 21st century. The school has a well-developed calendar of performing arts opportunities, from Nativity with our youngest children to the end of Year 6 performance. Confidence, public speaking, singing, music and drama are all actively encouraged which build lifelong skills. We strive to ensure all our children are lifelong learners and build upon their skills and knowledge gained at our school.
The school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum during a child’s first year in school. From Year 1 the National curriculum subjects are taught:
English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, History, Geography, Music, French, Art & Design, and Design & Technology
Additionally:
Religious Education & PSHE
If you would like to find out more about our curriculum, please speak to a class teacher, our Principal, or an Executive Principal.
Organisation
The school is divided into 4 classes:
- Owlets: Foundation
- Tawny Owls: Years 1 and 2
- Snowy Owls: Years 3 and 4
- Barn Owls: Years 5 and 6
teaching strategies and techniques
Various methods of teaching strategies and techniques are employed in the classroom, such as:
The school uses a variety of reading materials.
The reading schemes used by the school are The Oxford Reading Tree and Project X amongst others.
The school uses Read Write Inc as its core scheme for teaching phonics.
- Whole class
- Group
- Individual
The school uses a variety of reading materials.
The reading schemes used by the school are The Oxford Reading Tree and Project X amongst others.
The school uses Read Write Inc as its core scheme for teaching phonics.
Complaints about the Curriculum
We are all human and should you feel unhappy with your child’s progress or dissatisfied in any way please try not to criticise the school in front of your child, but come to see us so that any misunderstandings can be ironed out. Your child will progress best in a climate of mutual trust and co-operation, benefiting by seeing teachers and parents working together in a common aim for their happiness and success. We will make every effort to spend time with you to resolve any problems.
Should you wish to make a formal complaint you are able to follow the complaints procedure laid down by the governing body. This is available through the headteacher.
Should you wish to make a formal complaint you are able to follow the complaints procedure laid down by the governing body. This is available through the headteacher.
Wider Curriculum
Our Base Curriculum builds on the core subjects of English and Maths.
Included in our wider curriculum:
Included in our wider curriculum:
- Science
- Design and Technology
- History
- Geography
- Music
- Art
- Physical Education
- PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)
- Religious Education
Early Years Foundation Stage
Transition into the school for EYFS children is thorough due to the strong links with our pre-school, Treetops. Children in Nursery and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. This learning challenges children and encourages them to develop into independent, motivated learners and thinkers, full of curiosity about the world around them within a fun, happy and secure environment.
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is based on the following seven areas of learning:
Curriculum Overview: Foundation
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is based on the following seven areas of learning:
- Communication and Language
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Maths
- Literacy
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Curriculum Overview: Foundation
Key Stage 1
Children are still working on the Early Learning Goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum as they enter Year 1. There is a period in the Autumn Term where the majority of children progress to the KS1 National Curriculum. Throughout this period and beyond all children continue to develop their Phonic knowledge through the Letters and Sounds and Jolly Phonics programmes and their fluency in reading through a banded reading Scheme and Rethink Reading strategies.
The National Curriculum is delivered using an integrated topic approach and assessed using National Curriculum statements as a basis to ensure coverage and progression throughout the school. The more-able are extend to greater depth in their learning and children who find aspects of their learning more challenging are appropriately supported, so that they too are enabled to experience success.
The National Curriculum is delivered using an integrated topic approach and assessed using National Curriculum statements as a basis to ensure coverage and progression throughout the school. The more-able are extend to greater depth in their learning and children who find aspects of their learning more challenging are appropriately supported, so that they too are enabled to experience success.
English
The school uses high quality texts to teach writing with valuable vocabulary, grammar and writing styles to provide a good model for pupils’ writing. Children are encouraged to be ambitious writers, make adventurous word choices and build an interesting and engaging text. Daily guided reading sessions in conjunction with reading at home encourage a love and enjoyment of books and reading. Using ‘Re-think reading’ resources each class has a strong guided reading programme whilst using class texts for pupil enjoyment. Children learn to become confident, articulate and clear public speakers through a range of performances and events.
Maths
Mathematics is delivered through a Mastery curriculum framework developed by consultants within the Local Authority and supported by the White Rose Scheme of Work. Children are provided daily opportunities to build on key knowledge and facts and develop their fluency, reasoning, investigative and problem solving skills.
Science
A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all children should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, children should be encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. They should be encouraged to understand how science can be used to explain what is occurring, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.
Bridestowe follows the National Curriculum for science and aims to ensure that all children:
Bridestowe follows the National Curriculum for science and aims to ensure that all children:
- Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
- Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science through different types of science enquiries that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them.
- Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future.
Enrichment and Extra-Curricular Activities
Bridestowe we believe that children should experience a wide range of learning enrichment activities. Children learn effectively through direct experience and we offer opportunities for pupils of all ages to enhance their skills by bringing the curriculum alive and making their learning more meaningful. We have always strived to inspire pupils through well-chosen trips, visitors and topic related days. This year we are continuing to build on this ethos and have organised a variety of activities for this term.
Visit our 'Parent Hub' section of the website to find out more info on After School Clubs:
Visit our 'Parent Hub' section of the website to find out more info on After School Clubs:
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