Curriculum

At Ghyllgrove we believe in providing a curriculum that not only follows the National Curriculum but meets the needs of the children at our school. Through our Curriculum we want to teach our children the skills, knowledge and understanding they require for the next steps in their lives. Our Learning Powers (Learn as a team, Challenge Yourself, Stay focused, Believe in yourself and Persist, progress and be proud) are threaded through our curriculum and children are taught how to use these powers to be the best learner they can be.

We want our children to:

• Improve their communication skills and feel confident to use a range of vocabulary through learning as a team
• Know how to be independent learners able to stay focused on their goals
• Believe in themselves and learn how to stay both mentally and physically healthy, building a strong self-esteem and a ‘can do’ attitude to their learning
• Be ambitious and curious and seek out challenges where they ask questions and explore ideas
• Be resilient and determined, knowing that if they persist, they will make progress so they can be proud of their achievements

As well as the above we intend for our children to leave Ghyllgrove:

• Able to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently
• Able to read fluently
• Able to communicate their ideas in writing effectively
• Able to calculate efficiently and apply skills to solve problems
• Able to use technology purposefully and confidently
• Able to  retain what they have learned and take this knowledge and skill with them

Each Curriculum subject is mapped out in clear progression maps so that knowledge, understanding and skills build over time. Each topic within our foundation curriculum is designed to enthuse children and ‘hook’ them.  Subjects are interwoven to provide a consistent and flowing term of lessons. As part of our curriculum we plan a range of opportunities to enhance their learning experience and build on their skills to become a successful citizen with aspirations such as, visits to places, inviting visitors to school, residential trips, extra-curricular sports, arts and music clubs, joining sporting competitions and music festivals when we can.

Each subject within the curriculum is led by a member of the teaching staff – please visit our individual subject areas below to find out more about what your child learns and how they learn in each subject.

SEND Curriculum

Children learn and develop in different ways. Teachers recognise this and use different teaching styles, resources and plan different levels of work in the classroom to cater for the various ways children learn. This is called 'Quality First Teaching' and is something schools must provide for all children. However, many children, at some time in their school life, need extra help.

To successfully match pupil ability to the curriculum there are some actions we may take to achieve this:

• Ensure that all pupils have access to the school curriculum and all school activities.
• Help all pupils achieve to the best of their abilities, despite any barriers or disability they may have.
• Pupils to gain in confidence and improve their self-esteem.
• To work in partnership with parents/carers, pupils and relevant external agencies in order to provide for children’s special educational needs and disabilities.
• To identify at the earliest opportunity, all children that need special consideration to support their needs (whether these are educational, social, physical or emotional)
• To make suitable provision for children with SEND to fully develop their abilities, interests and aptitudes and gain maximum access to the curriculum.
• Ensure that all children with SEND are fully included in all activities of the school in order to promote the highest levels of achievement.

More information

More information is available about English, Maths and Topic coverage in the curriculum letter that is sent home at the start of every term. Alternatively, this can be found on your child's class pages or a copy can be obtained via the school website or school office.

If you require any further information about your child's curriculum, our class teachers are happy to help you, or please contact the school office.