Curriculum

Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement

 

Sithney Primary School Curriculum

We have designed a history and geography-rich curriculum that connects learning by building an understanding of ideas, concepts, chronology and themes through the framework of ‘here, there, then, now and next’. These thinking threads create opportunities to learn from the past to equip children for an ever-changing and exciting future. They are further underpinned by high quality reading books that link learning meaningfully.

 

It is our curriculum ambition for every child to leave Sithney School embodying our values and virtues.  These being:  respect, aspiration, kindness, perseverance, and curiosity.

Implementation – our drivers are our ‘thinking threads’ that guide our curriculum choices

At Sithney we follow the National Curriculum and the EYFS Foundation Stage Development Matters as our main teaching framework.

We teach early reading through Read, Write Inc. from EYFS.  When children are off the programme, we teach reading fluency strategies.  These include echo and choral reading.  Teachers explore vocabulary in every lesson and use the different question types through VIPERS to check comprehension.  Teachers adapt learning with carefully constructed questions and stem sentences.

Mastery mathematics is embedded in our lessons using Master the Curriculum for Pre-School, Mastering Number for Reception and KS1 and White Rose mathematics for Ks1 and KS2.  Lessons are adapted well through variation and further scaffolded by modelling and fading.

Our curriculum is designed to ensure that children acquire essential knowledge in small steps, leading towards end points with opportunities in each lesson for reactivation and recap to help children recall knowledge.  As a consequence, children use their knowledge to make links and connections and apply their understanding to other subjects, concepts and the development of skills.

We have robust teaching and learning strategies which are embedded so that they become habitual.  These include ‘Cold Calling’ and ‘Agree, Build, Challenge’.  Children demonstrate that they are highly engaged and responsive and enjoy the opportunity to participate fully with their peers. 

We have chosen Literacy Tree, Literacy Shed Plus and specific units from Hamilton Brookes for writing as this gives us high quality texts which have been strategically linked to our school themes and drivers. They also offer rich and valuable personal and social capital.

The Geography and History Association have been chosen to support teachers CPD to deliver the very best lessons.  These link to our long-term planning and school drivers.  They build sequentially and chronologically.

We use a combination of PLAN Primary Science, Plymouth Science and Ogden Trust.  The PLAN Primary Science provides the objectives for learning and lessons are delivered using Plymouth Science and the physics strand is enhanced by the Ogden Trust which offers high quality CPD, resources and enriching lessons.

We use the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus alongside Understanding Christianity for R.E. and access support from NATRE with regard to knowledge and lesson planning.

Complete PE comprehensively guides our physical education and sport provision.  It provides teachers with step by step guidance and instruction to ensure children develop the skills and competencies to become increasingly active and inclusive.

Digital Learning Cornwall has been adopted to provide the essential knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a digital world.  It develops the necessary learning to stay safe online and use technology with increasing ability to equip children for a future that is digitally progressive.  Project Evolve is used to teach online safety; this is carefully integrated throughout the year.

Lifewise provides the foundation for our PSHE curriculum and Brook offers a robust RSE framework as children progress through the school. 

We use Kapow for Music, Art and DT which provides a knowledge-rich and progressive, small step curriculum for these foundation subjects.

Rigolo supports the teaching of French at KS2 to ensure breadth and coverage.

Sithney has a supportive and thriving community where all children experience varied and exciting opportunities which foster a sense of belonging and strong cultural capital, regardless of their background or level of need.  Personal Development and social justice are very much a part of our planned curriculum.

We have further developed our curriculum through the use of Lyfta; this 3D immersive education platform provides children with virtual experiences, places and people that they would not otherwise meet.  Thus, ensuring that we educate and embrace cultural diversity, social change, prejudice, and equality, preparing children for a future that is respectful, caring and hopeful.