Curriculum Statement

A shared vision, shared beliefs, shared attitudes and shared values are the building blocks for our school culture and curriculum, and for how things are done on a day-to-day basis at Carr Head Primary School.

Through partnership with parents, carers and the wider community, we aim to prepare all our children for their futures by nurturing a love of learning through a curriculum that is rich with opportunity, experience and challenge, within an atmosphere in which the children feel secure and valued.  A broad curriculum builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points. The curriculum ensures that academic success, creativity and problem-solving, responsibility and resilience, as well as physical development and well-being are key elements that support the development of the whole child and promote a positive attitude to learning. The curriculum celebrates diversity and utilises the skills, knowledge and cultural wealth of the school and wider communities, while supporting the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Children’s independence, resilience and confidence is promoted by building on our core values and teaching and learning principles.

Our curriculum:
• is underpinned by aims, values and purpose,
• develops the whole person – knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes,
• is broad, balanced, and has clear progression in subject knowledge and skills,
• is filled with rich first-hand purposeful experiences,
• is flexible and responsive to individual needs and interests,
• embeds the principle of sustainability,
• has an eye on the future and the needs of future citizens,
• encourages the use of environments and expertise beyond the classroom,
• makes meaningful links between areas of knowledge across the curriculum and the major
issues of our time,
• has a local, national and international dimension.

To achieve this, we have adopted 7 Key Principles. We will:
• have high expectations of all and provide a ‘learning without limits’ approach to teaching
and learning;
• impart knowledge accurately and with enthusiasm which generates high levels of
commitment from children;
• provide as many memorable first-hand experiences as possible;
• make the outdoor environment an integral part of provision;
• promote health and safety including e-safety in all areas of the curriculum;
• take the school into the community and bring the community into school.

The National Curriculum forms the basis of our long-term curriculum plan.  We have adapted our curriculum so that it is relevant to our context and provides an education relevant to today’s society.  Skills, knowledge and understanding are taught in the context of a termly over-arching theme or topic. Occasionally, shorter mini topics are used to inject variety, to develop local, national and global awareness of current events, and to ensure the fulfilment of all statutory requirements. Subjects, for example history, geography or science, lead some topics, whilst others are led by inspiring literature or events. Literacy is always a focus, either where  topic is led by a quality text – or that there are plenty of opportunities to write in specific genres as part of learning in other subjects. Additionally, several elements of literacy, such as reading, phonics, handwriting and SPaG are timetabled on a daily or weekly basis. Currently, maths takes the form of a daily lesson as well as additional mental maths sessions, and we are considering how we can adopt a more cross-curricular approach in this area too.

The British Values of:

• Democracy
• The Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect and Tolerance for those of different faith and beliefs

are embedded throughout the curriculum and in the wider life of the school. The Junior Leadership Team and School Council are democratically elected as representatives across the school. The ethos of the school promotes respect for all.

Children are taught in seven single age classes.  The Early Years and Key Stage 1 consists of three infant classes: Oak (EYFS), Y1 and Y2. Key Stage 2 covers four single age classes: Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6. Teaching and Learning Assistants provide targeted additional academic and emotional support for children throughout the school.

There are policies on all subject areas of the curriculum and these are available from the Head Teacher on request.

To see year group curriculum maps, overviews and subject curriculums, please choose ‘Curriculum’ and then from the main drop down menu above.