Generated on 19 Mar 2024

St Paul's CofE Infant School

Curriculum statement

Intent

Our school core values underpin our school curriculum and are evident in all that we do.

Courage – Courage can sometimes be hard to find. However, it is essential for us to instil courage in our children and in ourselves. With courage, we move forward. With courage, we experience new things and make the world a better place for others or ourselves. In the words of St Paul “have courage and be strong”

Community – We create a strong, nurturing, Christian school community, in which everyone is valued and can succeed. We have strong mutual relationships with our community. In our school community we cherish our world and everyone in it. We are preparing for and growing our understanding of our role in our wider community. In the words of St Paul “Bear with each other and forgive one another …. And above all love”

Compassion – We encourage everyone in our school community to show compassion by being kind, thoughtful and caring. We develop an understanding of personal feelings and the feelings of others and ways of helping others. We always put the welfare of children first. In the words of St Paul “do everything in love”

Our curriculum has been designed to:-

We aim for all learners to enjoy their education and make very good progress in all areas of learning. Pupils at all levels are helped to achieve their potential.

Those who are most able are challenged and supported through appropriate extension questions and activities. Those who struggle are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.

Our focus on curriculum development is designed to ensure coverage and progression. It provides pupils with memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills. Our community is frequently used as a starting point for engaging interest. We recognise the importance of raising aspirations and engendering a sense of personal pride in achievement. As the school serves a diverse community in terms of cultural capital and financial stability, we provide visits and activities that children may not otherwise experience. We recognise that the children need both a sense of valuing themselves, and developing aspirations for their future and for their community.

Our Curriculum:

Engage stage, this is when the children: gain memorable first-hand experiences, such as

Develop Stage, this is when the children:

Innovate Stage, this is when the children:

Express Stage, this is when the children:

English

English is taught using a sentence stacking approach through The Write Stuff by Jane Considine.

We use Essential Letters and Sounds for our phonics teaching.

Maths

We use White Rose, the overviews for this are available here:

Year R https://whiterosemaths.com/resources?year=early-years

Year 1 https://whiterosemaths.com/resources?year=year-1

Year 2 https://whiterosemaths.com/resources?year=year-2

PSHE

For PSHE we use the Family Links programme and have a consistent theme across the school which creates brilliant discussion and learning opportunities.

Music

Music is taught through Sparkyard by Out of the Ark by our specialist teacher.

PE

PE is also taught by specialist teachers from Complete Coaching.

RE

Our RE is taught through the agreed syllabus from Guildford Diocese. https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/education/standing-advisory-council-on-religious-education/surrey-agreed-syllabus-for-religious-education

EYFS

The EYFS curriculum is closely linked to the Development Matters document. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1007446/6.7534_DfE_Development_Matters_Report_and_illustrations_web__2_.pdf

Our curriculum overview is available here: https://www.stpaulstongham.com/surrey/primary/stpaulstongham/site/pages/curriculum/curriculumoverview

Remote Learning

We will endeavour to provide opportunities for children who are self-isolating that are as close to what they would experience in school as possible.

More information about our curriculum is available upon request (school@stpaulstongham.com)

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 and space

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 principles

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

• understand the purpose and value of their learning and see its relevance to their past, present and future
• experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning
• develop new skills through a variety of interesting contexts
• develop and demonstrate their creativity

SMSC/FBV

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

• Social - Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict
• Tolerance and respect - To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others
• 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

Well-being

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

• develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities
• follow their own interests and be themselves
• build respectful friendships
• recognise that people are good at different things

Pupil voice

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

• make a positive contribution to the school and local community
• take part in democratic activities across the curriculum
• make choices about things that are important to them

Pedagogy

Our curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that:

• offers all children a memorable experience at the start of every topic
• excites, promotes and sustains children’s interest

Enrichment

We will enrich our curriculum by:

• holding specialist curriculum days or weeks
• using quality resources in and out of the classroom
• providing on and off-site subject or topic related activities