Curriculum
Swanwick Primary School curriculum has been developed in line with the new National Curriculum and has incorporated a ‘learning challenge’ approach which is both creative and robust, ensuring sound learning in all areas. Lessons are planned to match children’s interests and answer their questions, as well as covering all the learning objectives from the new National Curriculum.It is carefully designed to ensure all learning is:
Contextualised
Meets the children’s interests
Challenges individuals
Meets the children’s capabilities
Teaches the basic skills in line with statutory requirements
Our new ‘learning challenge curriculum’ requires the children to offer their own questions within a topic, which they will then pursue and investigate in small enquiry groups. We believe that this will make learning more relevant to the children and provide a great platform to teach basic skills which are already a strength in our school. So that each child makes good progress, we have produced a list of ‘non-negotiables’ for reading, writing and mathematics for every year which are shared with parents. Links to the non-negotiables can be found below the subject links.
In addition to teaching the National Curriculum subjects, we are very keen to promote outdoor learning, finding out about our environment and promoting sustainability. Follow the links to learn more about outdoor education and the SOLE project to improve our outdoor learning environment.
Link to the national curriculum
Reading Schemes
 |
 |
Phonics Schemes
Physical Education
As a high-quality Physical Education curriculum inspires children to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities, we believe it is a valued curriculum area. Through a range of physical activities children are supported in developing key skills, while taking part in competition and encouraging healthy lifestyles.The development of new skills is essential within the curriculum followed by the application of these skills across a range of sports and challenges. We aim to provide the essential opportunity for pupils to be creative, competitive and to face challenges as individuals and as part of a team encouraging positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. This will enable children to make more informed choices about physical activity throughout their lives.CompetitionWorking alongside the School Sports Partnership we take part in an extensive competition programme where children compete at a high level against other schools in the area. This allows children to experience the pride involved in representing the school, working as part of a team and experiencing victories and defeat. Through these events some children are selected to develop their talents further through high quality coaching days. Both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children take part in a sports day in July, which parents are invited to attend.
Facilities
We have two large playing fields which are in use all summer. During the winter time outdoor PE lessons take place on the tarmac netball court. Throughout the year our large hall is in constant use enabling each class to have an indoor PE session each week.After school sessions run throughout the year across a variety of year groups and during the Summer, our year 6 pupils, take part in PE sessions one afternoon a week led by Swanwick Hall’s young sports leaders. Premier Sports are also in school on a regular basis running additional after-school clubs.
Science
At Swanwick Primary School we believe passionately that a sound understanding of the science that affects our everyday lives is a fundamental cornerstone of children’s education. Developments in science are rapid, often life changing and vital to a nation’s prosperity. We strive to develop a love of science by fostering a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. A growing emphasis is placed on ‘working scientifically’ through inspiring and engaging investigations and experiments.
Many of the skills developed through working scientifically, such as: observing, questioning, predicting, measuring, recording, evaluating and communicating their findings, are cross-curricular and, when secure, will be useful throughout the children’s lives. Speaking and listening skills are highly valued in science lessons as this encourages the use of scientific vocabulary whilst allowing children to share and question each other’s ideas. The new science curriculum provides a rich variety of opportunities for the children to develop their knowledge and skills through actively participating in practical investigations and experiments, increasingly of their own design, as they progress through school.
The wider school environment is increasingly being used to enthuse and enrich the children’s science learning.
Computing
The use of information and communication technology is an integral part of the national curriculum and is a key skill for everyday life. Computers, tablets, programmable robots, digital and video cameras are just a few of the tools that can be used to acquire, organise, store, manipulate, interpret, communicate and present information. At Swanwick Primary School we recognise that pupils are entitled to quality hardware and software and a structured and progressive approach to the learning of the skills needed to enable them to use ICT effectively. We have a wide range of resources including control and data logging equipment, netbooks, ipads and cameras.
Beebot and remote controlled cars are used in the infant classrooms on a regular basis. During the foundation stage, children begin to choose different technologies to record their work. As the children progress through the school, they become increasingly confident in using a wide range of apps and programs to produce digital content. By the end of year 6 children have become confident users of technology including being able to write simple computer programs and combine a range of programs or apps to produce multimedia presentations of their work. E-safety is given a high priority throughout the school and the children are taught how to become responsible digital citizens.
They are encouraged to use the internet for homework and online learning sites. The school website provides learning links for each year group.
Code Club runs every Thursday with the children learning Scratch, HTML and (starting this year), Python. Children also help to update and produce pages for the website.
Art
Art, Craft and Design are unique forms of human expression and communication, fundamentally important to the creative, intellectual, aesthetic and physical development of, not only the child, but all humans. They provide a unique vehicle that enables the recording of expressions of emotions, ideas and observations of both individuals and their world through an enormous range of materials and processes. At Swanwick Primary School all children will be entitled to experiences in Art, Craft and Design which are: -Inspiring, rich, varied and enjoyable.Challenging them to their full potential. Encouraging them to feel secure, confident and able to contribute.Offering learning experiences of the highest standard possible, irrespective of gender, ethnic background, age or disability.We have art weeks in school each year. This year we had an art week at the beginning of term which demonstrated how we link art to our enquiries and other subjects.The design of our curriculum ensures progressive art and design skills are experienced by the children.In Key Stage 1 children use a wide range of materials to create, design and make products. They use drawing, sculpting and painting to develop a wide range of art and design techniques and learn about the works of artists.In Key Stage 2 children develop their art and design techniques. All children in Key stage 2 have a sketch book to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas. They have opportunities to improve their skills in painting, drawing and sculpting and learn about great artists, architects and designers in history. Each year the whole school is involved in producing a well dressing. Children are invited to enter a competition to design a well dressing based on a given theme. The design of the well dressing is based on the winning entry. Everyone is involved in the production- parents and governors are invited to help. Children from reception to year 6 all contribute.We also have an annual plate design competition , which is open to all of the children in school. The plates are judged by Swanwick Parish Council.
A visit from a local artist is already scheduled for towards the end of the year: ex- pupil Ryan Dutton will take a master class in portraiture for the gifted and talented children. In the Spring term Miss Lonie will be running an ‘Art and Craft’ after school club for year 1 children. Also in the Spring term Mrs Frogson will be running an after school pottery class. A group of year 4 and 5 pupils, very kindly run a craft club on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Wherever possible or appropriate children are encouraged to work outdoors or with ‘found’ natural materials. Furthermore, as well as the planned outdoor sessions we now have an outdoor art box for use opportunities to explore art during break time.
English
Key Stage 1 Reading – Every child is listened to read, a banded book from the school banding system, by an adult individually or part of a group at least once a week. Children can chose a book from the class book corners to borrow for a week to enjoy at home. In Reception, Year 1 and the start of Year 2 the children have a daily phonics lesson where they learn the different sounds, read daily and practice using these sounds in spellings. As a school we follow the Read Write Inc. phonics scheme. In Year 2 the children continue to develop their comprehension skills. Each class has daily story time where they are read to and get to enjoy different authors and genres. The school also follow a scheme called Reading Vipers- aimed at developing key reading skills such as- Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction.
Writing – We have an hour long daily English lesson which covers handwriting, spelling, drama and different writing genres. At least once a term we cover a talk for writing module to develop the children’s understanding of a narrative text. Spellings – We send home spellings on a regular basis and enjoy spelling competitions like the Spelling Bee every term. Reading for Pleasure – We celebrate reading through events such as World Book Day, our breakfast and bedtime reading and the different competition that we run. We have story time in each class every day. This year each year group celebrated book week by reading a picture book which led to different art and writing work which has been displayed around the school. Our most recent competition featured children reading in the most unusual places. Key Stage 2 literacy builds on and expands the skills learned in Key Stage 1. As literacy underpins everything we do in school, it is given a high priority and skills are practised throughout the curriculum. Reading – We continue to give each child a banded school reading book every week throughout key stage 2. This means that children are introduced to a wide range of genres and new vocabulary, at their own level. We hear children read individually during class or group reading times on a regular basis. Children are also expected to read daily at home and to regularly complete their reading log. Reading for pleasure is encouraged through activities such as genre bingo and the school reward system. Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling In key stage 2 – grammar is given a higher priority. However, we do not teach grammar for grammar’s sake. It is taught in the context of children’s writing, and applied in creative writing lessons. Understanding of the grammatical terms, and regular revision of them, helps children to understand how to improve their own writing and become more successful writers. We continue to teach children spelling rules and ask them to learn spellings at home. Writing – Children are taught to write creatively and in context. We cover a range of different genres. Our writing regularly links to our enquiry work to give children the content to write about.
Maths
Maths is taught at Swanwick Primary School through a daily Numeracy lesson which follows the principles of the National Curriculum 2014. The programme of study from the New National Curriculum is by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but pupils should make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problemsIn order to develop key mathematical skills, some children in Key Stage 2 are set for maths. This allows children to develop theirfluency through practise of the key skills appropriate to their year group or to develop a deeper understanding. Class teachers also plan for opportunities to develop and apply key mathematical skills in other subjects throughout the year.Considerable importance is attached to the children achieving and understanding mathematical processes, concepts and skills. This is often developed through practical reasoning activities which promote mathematical discussion and clearer understanding.There is a strong emphasis on the development of mental arithmetic and giving opportunities for pupils to use and apply mathematics in real life situations.
Reasoning
The children are often asked to explain their ‘thinking’ and use their prior knowledge to convince their peers about their reasoning.Reasoning enables children to make use of all their other mathematical skills and so reasoning could be thought of as the ‘glue’ which helps mathematics makes sense.
Fluency
Fluency is one of the key aims of the National Curriculum and although children do need to practice, practice, practice formal algorithms, it is not just about number. Children need to demonstrate flexibility in their computational methods, explain their choices and produce accurate answers efficiently.The children develop their fluency through a variety of games, puzzles and some formal tasks.
Problem Solving
Problem solving enables our children to develop an appreciation of the beauty and power of mathematics and a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.
Geography
Geography is a valued part of the National Curriculum.
It provides a means of exploring, appreciating and understanding the world in which we live and how it has evolved. Geography explores the relationship between the Earth and its people.Geography stimulates curiosity and imagination and we aim to build upon the child’s ‘personal geography’ by developing geographical skills, understanding and knowledge through studying places and themes.Geography encourages children to learn through experience particularly through fieldwork and practical activities. Aims:Good Geography teaching aims to :-· Inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.·
Equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.· Develop a growing knowledge about the world to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.· Acquire Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills.· Enable children to learn and explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.
History
Our aims in teaching History, at Swanwick, are to foster an interest in the past and to develop the skills and understanding that enables children to enjoy all that history has to offer.We work together to improve standards and maintain high expectations for all, helping children to aspire to the best they can be.Our stimulating history curriculum extends children’s understanding of the world around them and enables them to pose questions, research, enquire and question evidence.
History is fun and exciting! Children in Key Stage 1 develop an awareness of the past, using words and phrases relating to the passing of time and they know where the people and event they study fit within the chronological framework. Children can identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different periods and use a wide vocabulary of everyday historical terms. They can ask and answer questions, choosing stories and other sources to show that they know and understand key features of events. Children understand some of the ways in which we find out about the past and identify different ways in which it is represented.Children in KS2 develop a chronologically secure knowledge and understanding of British, Local and World History. They establish clear narratives within and across the periods they study. They note connections, contrasts and trends over time, and develop the appropriate use of historical terms. Children regularly address and devise historically valid questions about change, cause, similarity, difference and significance. They construct informed responses that involve thoughtful selection and organisations of relevant historical information and crucially they understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources and that different versions of past events may exist, giving reasons for this.
Languages
At Swanwick Primary School we are now starting to teach languages from Reception.
The main language that we focus on is French which means that children can make substantial progress in one language throughout their time at our school. This will also stand them in good stead when they progress to secondary school. Other languages may be studied in addition where they link into particular topics or where there is a child in the class who speaks a particular language at home.
Languages lessons contain a mixture of spoken and written language with EYFS and KS1 focussing on oral learning and KS2 beginning to build in writing in addition to speaking and listening. Language lessons at our school should enable a child to be able to communicate basically with a native French speaker orally and in writing by the end of Year 6.
Key events:
Last year, Year 3 ran a ‘French Café’ as part of SOLE week. Parents and carers were served a continental breakfast by the children and in addition this helped to raise money for the school.
Religious Education
RE is an important part of all pupils’ learning at Swanwick, We believe it can help us both learnabout religions of the world, and, importantly,from religions of the world, no matter what a child’s personal viewpoint. RE is taught respectfully to all pupils no matter their background and actively takes this into account to create a more personal learning experience.Staff ensure RE is carried out in an exciting and inclusive way that motivates all pupils.
Pupils in Reception gain an understanding of their place in the wider community as well as places of worship around them in their local area. They go on visits to local churches and find what the church has to offer its community. Pupils gain a knowledge of how stories from the bible can impact people’s faith and morals, as well as finding lessons from their own stories. Children also gain insight into the people who are special around them and how Christians find faith in God and Jesus.
Key Stage 1 pupils are exposed to two differing religions in the form of Christianity and Hinduism. They explore special days in both religions as well as days they celebrate in their own lives. Children study how the two faiths believe the world was created as well as offering their own views on the subject and looking at creation from those who hold no faith.
Key Stage 2 pupils study three different religions through the years of 3 to 6. They look at Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Christianity is explored in a deeper way and investigates why Christians hold to the Bible and follow Jesus. They explore how faith can be explored through art and investigate the importance of prayer for those who believe. Pupils also look at how prayer can be a reflective time to those who do not believe. Journeys play an important part in the KS2 RE as children look at the importance of pilgrimage, as well as sacred spaces for Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Music
Music has a very high profile at Swanwick Primary School and we pride ourselves in offering an extensive range of performing and learning opportunities for all children. Music is taught as a discrete subject as outlined in the schools curriculum framework. The scheme of work is based on a progression of skills created by the Music Coordinator which also incorporates “A C Black’s Music Express.”
Older children incorporate the use of Mixcraft as an ICT tool, to compose and perform. Younger children have access to I pad apps to enhance their music lessons.
