Curriculum
Curriculum philosophy
Every child is entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum diet, in an
enriching and inspiring environment. West and East Putford School aims
to provide a fun and interesting academic curriculum based on National
guidelines and schemes of work. As pupils progress through the school we
expect them to become positive ‘independent learners’, capable of making
decisions and expressing opinions.
Independence is important; as we wish to create thinking pupils who can
reflect and consider the things they have been taught. Pupils will be
actively encouraged to make their own decisions and reflect on their
learning and its relevance to objectives taught.
Academic success is important, but it is not our sole concern, and the
‘hidden’ social curriculum is also an important area of pupil development.
We wish our pupils to be positive individuals who consider not only their
own views, but also the opinion of others and the wider community and
world beyond.
To promote quality curriculum experiences we do, as much as possible,
teach to our strengths. Teachers will use their expertise in a given area
throughout the school and not solely in the year group in which they are
based.
In all areas of the curriculum we aim to display ‘quality’ work to foster
the attainment of high standards.
Subjects we teach
The majority of teaching time in school focuses on the core subjects of
English, Mathematics, and Science. Pupils also undertake work in seven
additional curriculum areas; physical education, music, art, history,
geography, design technology, and Information Technology.
We enjoy at the end of term block teaching weeks. These have focused
on control technology and making beach buggies or a whole week with
African related activities
Personal Health and Social Education (PSHE) and RE are also taught to
promote pupils self esteem and understanding of the world around them.
The School has two main classes; one for Reception and Key Stage 1 and a
second for the whole of Key Stage 2. A part time Nursery also operates
in the school for 0.5 of the week.
All our classes contain more than one year group, eg the KS2 class
comprises Years 3,4, 5 and 6. Within these groups children work at their
own level; able younger pupils with older children; and older pupils who
require support and reinforcement with younger children.
We also join with other small schools and other larger Primaries regularly
to ensure our children are able to participate in team games and larger
sporting events.
English
The National Literacy Strategy provides a sound, supporting framework
for children’s English work throughout the school. Units of work focus on
all aspects of Literacy drawing on materials from; fiction; non-fiction,
poetry; explanatory texts; articles; newspapers and play scripts.
We aim to make the writing experiences, of our pupils, as relevant and
real as possible: writing letters to a local community member in hospital;
role playing daily events and then scripting ideas; writing parts of scripts
for school plays and productions; visits to film presentations of books and
then comparing sections of text to screen images.
Role play is also a vital part of the curriculum and activities are developed
to focus pupil’s oral language.
The ability to read back any written work, and to develop an interest and
love of books is important. Teachers will read regularly to children, and
we will encourage other adults to come into school and share stories and
tales. Children will visit libraries and undertake a range of positive
reading experiences, to ensure they become confident and fluent readers
themselves.
Writing instructionss to create a ‘wallet’ – Design technology
Children are taught to form letters, as soon as they join school, and early
handwriting may involve making letter shapes in sand, or traced on paper.
From the infants onwards, joined writing is taught and promoted, in our
aim to ensure neat legible joined writing in all areas of work.
The presentation of work is important and children make use of rulers
and line guides as soon as physically possible. We want our pupils to be
proud of their work, and pleased to show it to others.
The school follows a spellings scheme, supplemented with national
guidance on spelling rules and patterns. Children’s spellings are tested
weekly, and they are actively encouraged to use the spelling strategies
taught, in everyday contexts.
Mathematics
The National Numeracy Strategy provides a sound, supporting framework
for children’s mathematical work in school. The programmes of study
outline clear learning objectives in all areas of the subject, allowing
children to explore; shapes, measures- length, time, mass, capacity,
multiplication, division, addition and subtraction, data handling and much
more.
Good quality mental oral work is vitally important in developing confident
mathematicians. Counting, backwards and forwards; doubling and near
doubles; identifying place value; rounding and instantly recalling tables are
all essential. Tables are actively taught in school as they form the sound
foundation of all mathematical learning.
12 Real problems and investigative work will be used in Mathematics to
develop reasoning skills and knowledge of the patterns and relationships
numbers, shapes and data have.
We aim to ensure pupils see mathematics as a fun area of the curriculum,
and a subject vital to everyday lives.
Science
Lessons are strongly focused on investigative work, and children are
encouraged to develop their predictive and observational skills.
The school has purchased a wide range of resources to promote pupil
investigations and children love testing and hypothesising possible
outcomes.
Science activities are supplemented with practical visits and experiences.
The visit of a local Barn Owl allowed the children to understand how this
skilled predator fits within the food chain, and a visit to the ‘Life Skills’
centre also enhanced the children’s understanding of the human body.
Music
The school has a strong music tradition and many pupils in Key Stage two
learn to play larger instruments: cornets, trombones etc. Gordon Bright
provides lessons for pupils at an additional cost, and all children are
encouraged to enjoy and participate in musical activities.
Gordon also manages ‘ensemble’ playing within the school, and this
opportunity is provided free of charge.
The school encourages the use of the ‘assisted purchase’ scheme to buy
instruments and full details can be gained from the school administrator.
History, Art, Geography, RE, Design Technology, PHSE
We aim to ensure these activities are practical, fun and engaging. We
take children to museums and displays and buy in specialist input to
enhance and provide quality learning experiences for pupils. When
appropriate children may have a cluster session of activities eg in Design
13 Technology children may have three or four days to construct and
program a beach buggy model.
These areas of the curriculum often provide a lead or focus for Science,
Literacy and Mathematics work.
Physical Education
Children get very involved in our PE Lessons which are dynamic. We ensure there are very exciting activities for pupils to enjoy.
Children swim in Bideford pool, Northam for one term in the year. Parents
will be asked to make a voluntary donation of 50p towards the cost of the
coach. Children benefit from trained sports centre staff input in the
essential part of the school curriculum.
Information Technology
The school recognises that ICT is an essential area throughout the
curriculum. The school has a mobile ICT suite and an interactive whiteboard and projector in the KS2 classroom.
The KS1 and Nursery classrooms also have an interactive whiteboard. All pupils benefit from extensive access to ICT equipment.
Teachers use online planning and assessment materials to ensure they
provide the best quality teaching for our children.
A range of resources are used from interactive websites to enhance the
curriculum.
We aim to embrace technology to ensure the best teaching and learning
opportunities occur.