The aims of our curriculum at St. Aidan’s are:
• to provide an opportunity for children to build their knowledge, by knowing more and remembering more;
• to develop children’s schemata over time by providing a curriculum that is thoughtfully planned and sequenced;
• ensure planned vocabulary acquisition over time through specific teaching;
• to secure substantive and disciplinary knowledge;
• to provide a curriculum which is ambitious and aspirational for all;
• to ensure the curriculum for children with SEND is challenging but accessible.
Our EYFS curriculum is delivered using a play-based approach. We plan a balance between children having time and space to engage in activities they initiate themselves and those that are planned by adults. At all times staff interact with the children to challenge and stretch them.
At various times during the day children in Reception class may be taught either as a whole class or in small groups, notably for daily phonics sessions (using the ‘Read Write Inc’ programme) and short ‘Mathematics Mastery’ sessions.
Children in the Nursery and Reception classes have access to stimulating inside and outside environments and are encouraged to free-flow between both spaces.
Learning opportunities are planned around the interests of the children and are based on spontaneous observations in order to provide opportunities for the next steps in their learning. Some learning opportunities are planned around themes e.g. transport, castles as well as key events in the year e.g. the seasons, festivals.
Further details are available in our Early Years policy.
Children in Years 1 to 6 are taught all areas of the National Curriculum:
Core subjects
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
Foundation subjects
- Art and design
- Computing
- Design and technology
- Language
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Physical education
In addition all children study Religious Education (R.E.) and Personal, Health and Social Education (P.S.H.E.), which includes Relationships and Sex Education (R.S.E.)
Full details of the St. Aidan’s curriculum can be found in our St. Aidan’s curriculum 2021-22