Our Curriculum
Working together with the children, staff, parents and stakeholders we developed our school vision which underpins our values and ethos. By the time our children leave Stead Lane Primary School, we want them to be:
Canny Kids
We believe our children need to develop an understanding about where they live and the wider world. Through learning about the world, we want them to understand their role in society and develop respect towards the environment, communities and religions.
Healthy
It is important to us that all members of our school community are healthy – physically and mentally. Throughout life, our children will face many difficult challenges and need to have the mental and physical strength to be successful and happy.
Considerate Communicators
We believe our children need to develop the skills to work well with other people. Children need to know how to speak, read and listen with respect in a variety of different situations.
Determined Individuals
Our children need to understand how they learn so that they will be able to deal with different challenges across the curriculum and in the wider world with focus and determination. They need to develop the ability to solve problems without giving up. Developing the skills to work independently and become resourceful is integral and is the reason that ‘learning muscles’ play a central role in our curriculum.
We believe that to achieve this, our curriculum should be broad and balanced; it should build knowledge, encourage independence, curiosity and creativity; produce collaborators, innovators, leaders and, above all, it should help our children to understand what it means to be human.
Early Years Foundation Stage
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) covers the development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. In school, the first year of foundation stage is nursery. Learning in the foundation stage challenges children to become independent, motivated learners who are full of curiosity about the world around them. Within our fun, happy and secure environment, our children experience consistent teaching, engaging hands on learning and a child centred curriculum that ensures the consistent development of skills across all areas of learning. Children experience a range of adult led and child initiated activities that foster the characteristics of effective early learning and prioritise the development of effective speech and language skills which are vital to learning in Key Stage 1.
Primary Curriculum – KS1 & KS2
Our curriculum is knowledge rich. All aspects of the curriculum have been designed with progression in mind; this ensures that children build on existing skills, knowledge and concepts, which, over time, enables them to know more and remember more.
Our curriculum is built around the objectives set out in the National Curriculum, which covers the core subjects: English, Mathematics and Science, and the foundation subjects: Computing, History, Geography, Art and Design, Design Technology, Music, Physical Education, Languages (Spanish), Citizenship (including PSHE and RSHE) and Religious Education. National curriculum objectives have been strategically mapped across key stage one and two and incorporated into termly projects – details of these can be seen in each termly overview.
Our curriculum focuses significantly on the core areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening, maths and science. These underpin all of our termly projects and are key to providing our children with the skills needed to access a wide range of learning.
Foundation subjects are delivered using a mastery model where children are able to explore content in increasing depth and complexity as they move through school. Knowledge, skills and concepts are developed through termly projects that are structured through an enquiry question. This approach allows us to make connections across the curriculum, whilst also developing the children’s understanding of what makes each subject distinct and unique.
*For a detailed breakdown, including national curriculum objectives, see termly overview
English
When children have completed the Little Wandle phonics scheme, all of their English work is linked to their project. Children explore and create a range of fiction and non-fiction texts using strategies from Literature Works and are taught writing using ‘the write stuff’ approach consistently across school.
Mathematics
Mathematics is taught separately following the mastery curriculum based on the White-Rose Hub. Mathematical fluency and confidence in numeracy are regarded as preconditions of success across the national curriculum. We want our children to develop a passion and enjoyment for mathematics whilst delivering a high quality ‘mastery curriculum’. Structured imagery and concrete apparatus are used systematically throughout school to develop a strong conceptual understanding of all mathematical concepts. The children then apply these skills and knowledge to problem solving, enabling them to become confident mathematical thinkers.
Physical Education
We are passionate about all children receiving a wide range of high-quality physical activity. Both within the curriculum, and outside of the school day. Through participation in a range of health related and competitive sports, children have the opportunity to develop their self-confidence and skills within a diverse range of situations.
Religious Education
We teach tolerance, respect, hope and forgiveness. Our RE curriculum follows the Northumberland County Council’s agreed syllabus for Religious Education so that our children: know and understand a range of religions and worldviews, express ideas and engage seriously with religions and world views.
Please click on the relevant links below to view your child’s class overview: