Great Wakering Primary

Curriculum

‘Learning is defined as an alteration in long-term memory. If nothing has altered in long-term memory, nothing has been learned.’ Sweller, Ayres, Kalyuga (2011)

At Great Wakering Primary Academy we continually strive towards developing and maintaining an engaging and purposeful curriculum that aligns with the National Curriculum requirements. In addition to this, we also understand the importance of a curriculum which fulfils the needs of children as individuals and is personalised to meet the needs of our community and enrich children’s experiences. Our curriculum is rigorously planned to ensure it gives our children the progressive knowledge, skills and character development they need to become lifelong learners.

“Children will often forget what we made them think but will remember how we made them feel.” (Sir John Jones)

Although knowledge and skills are different, you cannot have one without the other. Skills need to be anchored into knowledge to create understanding. Even though the curriculum is theme based, it is important that each subject discipline is planned for so prior knowledge and skills can be retrieved, practiced and built upon. We consider how children will be working in each subject area, for example as historians, chefs, musicians etc. to ensure progressive teaching and learning in all subjects (knowledge and skills), across the school.

We want our lessons to build rapport and character, be interesting, explain methods clearly and our class teachers to ask amazing questions which make the children work hard, feel inspired and want to find answers.

As a school we recognise the importance of transferring knowledge from the working memory into the long term memory so knowledge can be retained and built upon. Therefore, we have identified 8 key concepts that we believe are important for all children to have a deep and sustained knowledge about. Knowledge relating to these key concepts will be planned for and taught in depth through every subject, progressively, in each year group. These concepts have been carefully selected as we believe they allow for knowledge to be transferred between subjects, aiding children’s retention and application of knowledge and skills throughout the school.

Significant Individuals:

The study of influential people who have made a positive of negative contribution to their subject area/field which has brought about change.

Social Class & Relationships:

The study of the diversity of societies and groups so pupils understand the complexities of peoples’ lives and relationships as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. They will gain a perspective of the connections between cultural, economic and political differences.

Technology:

The study of the design and application of purposeful engineering that has solved real-life problems, past and present. Pupils will develop a critical understanding of how technology has impacted on daily life and the wider world.

Culture:

The study of the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people and/or societies that encompasses their ideas, customs and social behaviour (language, cuisine, social habits and music).

Myths & Stories:

Pupils will recognise and understand the purpose that traditional stories and folklore play in explaining different customs.

Environment:

The study of a specific environment and/or geographical landscape to enhance locational and place knowledge. Pupils will develop a critical understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes.

Settlements:

The study of how and why a group of people choose to settle in a particular location and the interaction of humans with the surrounding environment.

Worship & Celebration:

The recognition and understanding of different customs and days of celebration, including non-religious historical events.

If knowledge is embedded, retrieved and new knowledge is taught and so on, our curriculum allows for schemas of knowledge to be built and built upon.

Curriculum Drivers

At Great Wakering Primary Academy, our school values- Aspire, Respect, Achieve- underpin our curriculum and permeate all areas of school life.

Aspire - It is important that children have the opportunities to experience ‘real life’ situations and acquire the knowledge and skills that teach them how to succeed in the real world. In order for our children to become lifelong learners, it is important they are engaged and inspired by the curriculum presented to them. We want to enhance and enrich our children’s understanding of the local and wider world with a range of opportunities which develop aspirational goals and open up a world of wondrous possibilities. These include skills such as: teamwork, risk taking, motivation, self-control, negotiation, effective communication, innovation, creativity, resilience, honesty, empathy and compassion- all of which build children’s character and confidence and are an intrinsic part of our curriculum.

Respect - Great Wakering Primary Academy’s Curriculum will develop an understanding of children’s character, drive, identity, social skills and self-worth so they develop a sense of pride and can make responsible choices while participating in the local community. It also develops an understanding of their own and other cultures so children learn to respect and appreciate the diversity of an ever changing society and how they fit into a wider world. A child’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) is planned for through every aspect of the curriculum and the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived throughout the ethos of the school.

Achieve - The aim of our curriculum is for all children to develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes to learning so they can become confident, successful leaners who achieve their true potential and are prepared for the ‘real world’. Our curriculum has been planned and sequenced to best achieve a secure knowledge that subsequent learning can take place from and encourage children to understand, value and demonstrate the positive behaviour traits which make them well-rounded citizens.

Curriculum Overview

EYFS Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6