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Curriculum Overview

At Icknield Walk First School we believe that each child should have access to a rich and broad curriculum. We achieve this through teaching our own brand of ‘creative curriculum’. This means that the teaching and learning for some subject areas are linked to a theme, which change on a half termly basis. Other subjects are taught discretely. All are planned to ensure that pupils build on their knowledge and make connections as they progress throughout the school.

We deliver our lessons using strategies to motivate and engage pupils; such as through first hand experiences and the use of visits and visitors. Working in this way has shown us that our children learn well and make excellent progress. Ultimately our curriculum is designed to ensure every child is able to start his/her journey as a lifelong learner positively, confidently and successfully.

In the Foundation Stage (nursery and reception) we base our curriculum on the EYFS Statutory Framework and Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage. We cover all seven areas of learning (Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design). We provide a balance of learning through play, group work and focused taught activities with a teacher. The Foundation Stage is essentially child-centred allowing children to develop at their own pace. The adults work to provide appropriate experiences which support the child’s learning across the curriculum.

In the rest of the school the curriculum covers all the subjects of the National Curriculum (Maths, English, Science, Design and Technology, Computing, History, Geography, Art, Music and Physical Education). P.S.H.E. (Personal, Social and Health Education) and Religious Education are also taught in addition to the above subjects. In Key Stage 2 the children are also taught French.

In all classes and where appropriate the cross curricular links between topics and themes are exploited, so that the children are able to apply their knowledge in a range of different contexts, thus helping them to embed their knowledge more effectively. There are abundant opportunities for the children to develop their independence, as well as their research and communication skills. We work closely with the next school to ensure progression of learning.

In due regard to the Equality Act (2010) and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations (2014) we ensure that our curriculum is scaffolded to ensure that children with additional needs are able to access the learning in a successful and appropriate way.

Learning Powers

We believe that to become successful life learners, children need to recognise the skills they use when they are learning and to value these skills.

  • We talk to children about the skills they need to use when learning. These include perseverance, concentration, ambition and cooperation.
  • We identify these learning powers in tasks we set for the children.
  • We encourage children to identify when they have used certain learning powers or when they see a peer using a learning power.
  • We reward use of these learning powers through stickers or reward cards and in superstar assembly.