INTENT
The curriculum at Adderley is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children in line with the National Curriculum and statutory guidance, including any changes to guidance after the pandemic. It provides opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident and successful learners, with high aspirations, who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. The curriculum ensures that academic success, creativity and problem solving, reliability, responsibility and resilience, as well as physical development, well-being and mental health are key elements that support the development of the whole child and promote a positive attitude to learning.
The curriculum celebrates the diversity and utilises the skills, knowledge and cultural wealth of the community while supporting the children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, ensuring that children are well prepared for life in modern Britain. At Adderley Primary School we provide a project-based approach to teaching and learning built around the Cornerstones Curriculum, a nationally recognised approach for delivering outstanding learning opportunities for children. Our intent has been revised to address lost learning and gaps created during national lockdown.
The larger concepts of the National Curriculum are delivered through ten Big Ideas, which are the overarching aims of the curriculum. They were conceived by careful analysis of the curriculum subjects, drawing out global themes. The ten Big Ideas and their intentions are set out below.
BIG IDEAS
Humankind
Understanding what it means to be human and how human behaviour has shaped the world.
Processes
Understanding the many dynamic and physical processes that shape the world.
Creativity
Understanding the creative process and how everyday and exceptional creativity can shape the world.
Investigation
Understanding the importance of investigation and how this has led to significant change in the world.
Materials
Understanding the properties of all matter, living and non-living.
Nature
Understanding the complexities of the plant and animal species that inhabit the world.
Place
Understanding the visual, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of places around the world.
Comparison
Understanding how and why things are the same or different.
Significance
Understanding why significant people, places, events and inventions matter and how they have shaped the world.
Change
Understanding why and how things have changed over time.
GENERAL PRINCIPLESOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning |
| • develop new skills through a variety of interesting contexts |
| • explore the breadth and depth of the national curriculum |
| • learn within a coherent and progressive framework |
| • develop a rich and deep subject knowledge |
| • develop and demonstrate their creativity |
| • understand the purpose and value of their learning and see its relevance to their past, present and future |
| • see clear links between different aspects of their learning |
SMSC/FBVOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • Spiritual – Explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences |
| • Moral – Recognise right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views |
| • Social – Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict |
| • Cultural – Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity |
| • Democracy – Be part of a system where everyone plays an equal part |
| • Rule of law – Learn that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable for their actions and behaviour |
| • Individual liberty – Be free to express views or ideas |
| • Tolerance and respect – To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others |
WELL-BEINGOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities |
| • learn in a peaceful and supportive environment |
| • learn how to respect themselves and others |
| • follow their own interests and be themselves |
| • reflect and think mindfully about their learning |
| • recognise that people are good at different things |
| • work in a range of groups and settings |
| • build respectful friendships |
PUPIL VOICEOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • make a positive contribution to the school and local community |
| • explore ways of becoming an active citizen |
| • say what they like and dislike about their learning |
| • take part in age-appropriate discussions |
| • make choices about things that are important to them |
| • take part in democratic activities across the curriculum |
| • contribute to planning their own learning |
| • express their opinions on a range of different topics and issues |
PEDAGOGYOur curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that: |
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| • excites, promotes and sustains children’s interest |
| • promotes problem solving, creativity and communication |
| • enables and fosters children’s natural curiosity |
| • offers all children a memorable experience at the start of every topic |
| • promotes innovation and entrepreneurialism |
| • enables children to reflect on and evaluate their learning |
ENRICHMENTWe will enrich our curriculum by: |
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| • providing on and off-site subject or topic related activities |
| • offering opportunities for children to learn outdoors |
| • developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning |
| • holding specialist curriculum days or weeks |
| • welcoming parents and carers to take part in children’s learning and experiences |
| • using quality resources in and out of the classroom |