At Oundle CE Primary School, we recognise that every child is unique and ensure we tailor our curriculum to support the needs of each child, so that we can enable every child to be “the best that they can be”.
The Curriculum Statement for the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust as well as the Curriculum Statement for Oundle CE Primary School. Our Teaching and Learning Statement is also recommended reading.
The Curriculum at KS1 & 2
The pupils are taught the subjects of the New National Curriculum which has been the legal requirement for all primary schools since September 2014. This includes English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Religious Education, History, Geography, Physical Education, Design & Technology, Music and Art in KS2, a modern foreign language (French).
The Curriculum in EYFS
In EYFS children are assessed against the Early Learning Goals and children are taught subjects from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum through Development Matters (2021).
Enrichment of the National Curriculum
Our children’s learning is enriched through our carefully planned ‘Enrichment Programme’ where we offer further learning opportunities to enhance the learning within the classroom. This could be in the form of visitors to school, Forest School, going on a trip, residential or suggesting home learning activities. In addition, we have great collaboration with the OPEN Partnership and PDET Schools to further experiences and expand on the curriculum.
How do we learn?
Our teachers use the ‘MOY approach’ linked to the Rosenshine Principles. Our lessons include a ‘My Turn’ model from the class teacher, followed by a collaborative ‘Our Turn’ within the class or group and finished with ‘Your Turn’ when the children apply the learning independently when ready to do so.
How does our learning build ‘Knowledgeable Learners’?
Each subject has a ‘Knowledge Progression’ which ensures that learning is built upon year on year. Lessons planned are linked and built on prior learning. To share learning with children and parents, knowledge organisers have been created to support what is happening in lessons. In Maths, KIRFs are also sent home and then assessed in school at the end of each term.
How do we try to ensure that learners remember what they have been taught?
It is really important that we help children to try to remember what they’ve been taught. In some areas of the curriculum such as phonics and maths, we follow a clear framework for teaching that allows for spaced repetition in order to aid long term memory. We use a range of strategies and resources, such as:
- Daily recap maths activities
- Little Wandle Phonics teaching resources (following the prescriptive planning for teaching)
- Regular engagement in Times Table Rock Stars and Num Bots (KS1)
- Working displays in the classroom where key knowledge is referred to and built upon
In all subjects we ensure that teachers engage with effective retrieval practice to support their learning. A range of strategies are used, for example:
- Mini quizzes
- Making connections with other learning
- Use of rhymes and songs
- Encouraging active learning
- Making learning exciting
English
English is delivered each day and these lessons place emphasis on learning and applying skills in reading and writing. Children are taught the skills expected over different genres. Children are taught to be a reader of a reader, a reader as a writer and a writer as a writer. Reading is a key focus in our curriculum and is linked closely to our writing, grammar and spelling. Opportunities for the application of English skills are also planned across other curriculum areas.
Children have a class story at the end of every day read to them by their class teacher.
Year 1- Long Term English Curriculum
Year 2- Long Term English Curriculum
Year 3- Long Term English Curriculum
Year 4 - Long Term English Curriculum
Year 5 - Long Term English Curriculum
Year 6 - Long Term English Curriculum
Our Reading Community at Oundle Primary
We value reading as a key life skill for every single child within our care. By the time children leave us, they should be confident selecting and reading a wide range of material and enjoy regularly reading for pleasure. Reading underpins every curriculum subject area, it helps to broaden minds and leads to greater future life chances and successes.
Please click these links for further information about:
Supporting your child with Reading and Phonics at home
Reading Core Text Year Group Progression Spine
Phonics Scheme Progression
Everybody Read- Reception, Year One and Two
KS2 How you can help your child with Reading at home
How we teach Reading and Phonics at Oundle Primary
Y2 to Y6 Reading for Pleasure Parent Meeting - 9th March 2023
Please also visit your class web pages for further support.
Mathematics
In a similar way Maths aims to give the children a clear understanding of number with an emphasis on mental strategies, reasoning and problem solving whilst applying maths knowledge and skills in real life, everyday contexts. We follow the White Rose Maths scheme through using concrete objects, pictorial representations and abstract thinking. White Rose has a big focus on Number and lessons are planned in a systemic way to build on learning.
Maths Long term plan
Calculation policy
Science
Science teaching develops the children’s understanding of the physical and natural world around them, encouraging them to make hypotheses, test their ideas and reach conclusions. There is a focus on practical and problem solving skills covering aspects of biology, chemistry and physics.
Computing
Our computer suite has a class set of laptops and an interactive whiteboard. Pupils use computers to research and present aspects of their learning. Each term children are taught and focus on E-Safety. This is an essential element of our curriculum. We use ‘Purple Mash’ as a scheme of work as all of its schemes of work link to the National Curriculum objectives.
History and Geography
History and Geography are taught alternatively over a term or half term. The skills and knowledge are explicitly and progressively taught. We have designed a curriculum that builds upon prior understanding and develops confidence in these important areas. Often, the knowledge collected will be used within writing and other areas of the curriculum to embed.
The choice of topics fulfils the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and every effort is made to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes excellence and enjoyment.
We have been diagonal, horizontal and vertical links between History, Geography and Science topics.
Religious Education
As a Church of England school, Christian values and ethos are a large part of our school. We follow the agreed Northamptonshire Local Authority syllabus for RE and Understanding Christianity, which teaches the children about a range of religious beliefs and customs, with a focus on Christianity.
Physical Education
All the children must have the school PE kit for lessons. PE and Sport is key area for our school and it is an expectation that all children take part in the lessons. We have a close link with Peterborough United who deliver the Premier League Primary Stars programme for our football sessions. We also have specialist coaches in to support teachers with CPD in gymnastics and dance. As a school, we follow the Getset4PE scheme of work which has progressive activities that are designed to allow children to explore and develop skills and embed knowledge.
Pupils in Y4 and Y5 have swimming lessons at Oundle School pool, while there is an opportunity for Y6 children to have catch up sessions.
RSHE
RSHE is a new area of learning for our school, we want children to feel comfortable with themselves, others and dealing with difficult situations. We use the Jigsaw scheme of work. Children are also taught Sex Education and is taught appropriately to each year group. Children’s wellbeing and mental health is important to us as a school and to support children with this area we use the program ‘Breathe’ and children are taught the ‘Zones of Regulation’.
Art and DT
The creative arts are taught in alternative terms. Children are taught progressive skills in a variety of areas often linked to an artist in Art. In DT, children are taught skills to build, plan and evaluate and follow the Design and Technology Association scheme of work.
Art Long Term Plan
DT Long term plan
Music and French
We are lucky enough to have specialist teachers for Music and French. These teachers write their own scheme of work linked to the National Curriculum.
Music Long term plan
French Long term plan
Would you like to find out more?
Parents and other members of the public can find out more about the curriculum our school is following by contacting Mr Nyczka either by telephone (01832 272392) or by email (office@oundle.pdet.org.uk).
