Intent
At Gusford Primary School, we are committed to providing the best learning opportunities for all children so that they are fully equipped for their next stage of education and have developed a lifelong love of learning. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum where each subject is celebrated and is brought to life through exciting, authentic and enriching experiences rich in cultural capital. We strive to teach beyond the National Curriculum, developing the children as individuals and as such place huge importance on both the personal development and the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils. We believe that teaching and developing the children’s creativity in a safe environment is integral to their development. Through this we want the children to be the best versions of themselves and to move forward as independent, confident and active citizens.
Implementation
The children begin their educational journey at Gusford following the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (2021) in Nursery and Reception and then the National Curriculum (2014) from Year 1 to Year 6. The Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework is implemented through a combination of fun and engaging adult taught sessions and carefully selected high quality provision. Each National Curriculum subject is taught through discrete sessions to allow pupils to develop their expertise across the different subject disciplines. To teach particular areas of the National Curriculum certain approaches have been selected to ensure a high quality and consistent approach across the school. These include Little Wandle Letters and Sounds (Phonics) and White Rose Maths and both approaches begin in EYFS. All curriculum areas are carefully sequenced from Nursery to Year 6 with clear progression of knowledge and skills woven throughout them. Subject specific vocabulary is explicitly introduced and opportunities for oracy are developed across all subject areas. Recall questions are used to regularly check understanding and to ensure that new learning is built on strong foundations. A deep-seated love of reading is developed across the school through engaging reading corners, carefully selected texts and staff proudly sharing their love of reading with children. Learning is brought to life through a programme of external trips and visitors to the school including musicians, authors and specialists in their field.
At the heart of the curriculum are the 5 School Values; kindness, honesty, responsibility, respect and confidence and a strong understanding of the importance of teaching the children about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The children’s mental health is of absolute importance and the school has trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants working with pupils alongside a Parent Liaison Officer. Parents are involved with their child’s learning through weekly bulletins, parents’ evenings alongside an open door policy and regular parent drop in sessions.
Impact
The children’s progress is recorded on Insight Tracking and pupil progress meetings take place three times/year to celebrate the successes of the children and identify areas for accelerated progress. The outcomes of the children’s data informs curriculum decisions, teaching approaches and changes to the learning environment to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to achieve their best. The school values are explicitly taught and the impact of this is evident across the school with children displaying and having a good understanding of each of the values.
Please click the thumbnail images below to have a look at the ATL curriculum intent.