Principles

We have adapted our school curriculum in light of the New National Curriculum, introduced in September 2014. We continue to provide a broad, balanced curriculum that:

• engages children through exciting, thematic topics as part of the Edison Curriculum
• builds on key literacy and numeracy basic skills
• utilises features of our local and wider BWMAT communities, including a wide range of extra curricular activities
• is adapted to suit the needs of all learners in line with our SEN local offer
• prepares our children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain
• helps children to develop their sense of identity and belonging and can make a positive contribution to society
• enables children to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own, to combat prejudice
• promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of children
• prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of later life

The Content and Organisation of the Curriculum

The curriculum to which each child is entitled has been laid down by the National Curriculum, ensuring the development of a child moving through the school.  The subjects of Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Art, History, Geography, Music, Physical Education, I.C.T. and Design and Technology form the content of the curriculum.

In addition to the above the school curriculum also addresses cross-curricular issues such as Personal and Social Education, and Multi-cultural Education.  The manner in which the curriculum as a whole is delivered will reflect the needs of each individual child, and so the organisation of teaching groups will, of necessity, be flexible.  Children will be taught at various times, as a whole class, as a matched or mixed ability group and individually.

Where possible the curriculum will be taught in a more integrated and thematic way, using the Edison Connected Curriculum as its inspiration.

English and maths are often taught discretely. Early synthetic phonics is taught through the Letters and Sounds scheme.

It is important to note that the requirements of the National Curriculum do not apply to children who are not of statutory school age, i.e. “rising fives”.  They follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum which prepares them for the National Curriculum and for their later years in the school.

Curriculum map

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Religious Education in our school is in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus and reflects the teaching of the Church of England.  Through the teaching of religious education we aim to promote the spiritual and moral development of the children, at the same time seeking to ensure that it promotes respect, understanding and tolerance for those who adhere to different faiths.  A parent does have the right to withdraw their child from religious education if so wished.

In order to comply with the 1988 Education Reform Act each school is required to ensure that all pupils take part in daily collective worship.  Nothing in the Education Reform Act affects parents’ rights, as established in the 1944 Act.  Any parent does have the right to withdraw their child from collective worship if they wish.