Our Curriculum
Our Lady's Curriculum Intent and Rationale
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour is a Catholic Primary School situated in the Ditton area of Halton. With a single form entry intake, we have a stable pupil population with a mainly white British demographic.
Our Catholic identity and the Gospel values are deep-rooted in everything we do. With this at the forefront of our minds we are committed to helping our pupils make links across themes and subject disciplines, by providing a cohesive, well-planned learning journey. Therefore, we have designed a curriculum that is outward-facing, relevant, nurturing, and inclusive. We want our pupils to become educated and responsible global citizens, developing their cultural capital, whilst teaching them all about human creativity and achievement. We also want to introduce them to new opportunities and raise aspirations. Underpinning this is our Catholic mission which is at the centre of all learning therefore this curriculum design is firmly connected in a meaningful way, evidencing clear progression, and should demonstrate a consistent approach throughout school.
The National Curriculum
In accordance with the Education reform Act, the National Curriculum is taught throughout the school. Children in Year 6 (Key Stage 2) are tested by means of Standard Assessment Tasks (SATs).In order to ensure that the requirements of the national Curriculum are fulfilled the school regularly reviews the curriculum. Teachers attend courses to familiarise themselves with changes in the curriculum and staff meet regularly to discuss and plan work in the classroom.
Religious Education
The Religious scheme of work “Come and See” is recommended by the Archdiocese of Liverpool. The children follow the scheme from Reception through to Year 6. The Programme presents 9 topics in each year group on a 1 year cycle. Each topic lasts approximately 4 weeks and is developed through the programme specifically related to the year group and builds upon prior learning. For each level there are clear learning objectives and learning outcomes. These allow pupils to work according to their different abilities.
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Community of Faith – Church Themes
Autumn: family- Domestic Church
Spring: Community-Local Church Summer: World- Universal Church |
Celebration in Ritual – Sacraments
Autumn: Belonging- Baptism/Confirmation
Spring: Relating- Eucharist Summer: Inter-Relating- Reconciliation |
Way of Life – Christain Living Themes
Autumn: Loving- Advent/Christmas
Spring: Giving – Lent/Easter Summer: Serving- Pentecost |
The whole school regularly gathers together in prayer at school assemblies. Every Friday families are welcome to join the school community in our weekly collective worship and help to celebrate the many achievements that have been recognised over the week. Each class also takes the responsibility for at least one class assembly a year. This is a way of celebrating work done in class. These assemblies are usually presented on a Friday morning at 9.00 a.m. Once again families are always welcome to share these assemblies with us.
During the course of the year, we raise money for two main charities. In December, in the build up to Christmas during Advent, we collect for Cafod. Throughout Lent there is The Good Shepherd Collection for the Nugent Care Society. The children are encouraged, as Christians, to be aware of the needs of others in our local community and in the world-wide Family of God, this can mean that we may respond to appeals for money or goods, sparked off by famine, flood or some other such disaster.
English
Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing, Spelling and Handwriting.
Speaking and listening:
Beginning in Reception and continuing through all Primary years the children develop their capacity to express themselves effectively for a variety of purposes. This is fostered in our Communication Friendly Spaces, as well as through carefully structured lessons. Working with adults and other children, their activities include listening, giving opinions, replying to instructions and questions, describing experiences and feelings.
Junior children extend these skills to recount events, tell stories, take on dramatic roles, report, summarise and predict. Children are also provided with opportunities to compose, recite and perform poetry. All classes take part in literary events, where published writers work with the children to enrich their literary skills. Both KS1 and KS2 children take part in annual dramatic public performances. The infants will be performing a Christmas nativity this year, and the juniors will end the year with a summer show.
Reading:
Children learn not just the mechanics of reading, but to become accomplished, comprehending readers; developing the habit of silent reading and a love of reading for life. Each class has a designated reading area to help promote the love and high importance that reading holds in our school. They can enjoy exploring a wide selection of reading books, which helps them to develop an appreciation of our rich literary heritage.
We have now fully embedded the 'Power of Reading' scheme into our curriculum. This has placed high quality literature at the heart of our English lessons. This continues to motivate the children and develop a wonderfully positive attitude towards reading.
From Reception, phonics is taught through the use of Read, Write inc. and this is then continued through Y1 and 2. Across the school we use a range of reading schemes, which incorporate fiction and non-fiction texts. Book bands are used to grade the texts according to the national book-banding scheme. Guided reading is also an integral part of our English curriculum, where groups of children engage with a number of carefully planned sessions working with a teacher or independently, exploring their comprehension and understanding of the books being read.
Writing:
Spelling, Handwriting and Composition – These strands go hand in hand throughout the Curriculum. As they mature, children develop a growing ability to write in different styles, for different audiences and purposes, e.g. stories, diaries, letters, invitations, captions, posters, plans, reporting on projects and poetry. Cohesively planned, modeled and implemented by all staff, writing genres and conventions are creatively developed throughout both key stages. The children are provided with many opportunities to apply their writing skills, especially with cross-curricular tasks. Emphasis is laid upon drafting, as a process to encourage children to improve the construction, spelling and layout of their written work. All classes have access to computers, which are also used to develop the children’s writing. Much of their writing is developed from the use of high quality literature, as the children respond to plot, character, illustration and ideas. This is combined with resources such as 'Pobble 365', as well as topics encountered in the Dimensions curriculum.
They are taught the rudiments of grammar, progressively from Reception through to Year 6, both discretely, as well as in the context of the literature they are studying. Attention to grammatical rules being studied are also noted as they are encountered in all areas of the curriculum. The handwriting scheme 'Letter-join' is accessed for the teaching of handwriting. This can be accessed at home, with our subscription to the 'Home/school edition, providing the facility to practise letter formation on I-pads, tablets and computers.
The teaching of spelling is enhanced by our subscription to 'Read Write Inc. - Spelling', which introduces all the required spelling rules, by way of a lively, interactive series of cartoon characters and on screen activities. We constantly strive to create a variety of daily spelling activities, which are visual, auditory and engaging for the children. Our aim, over time is to ensure our children become accomplished proficient spellers.
Mathematics
Each class is well equipped with mathematics apparatus, games and in Reception, special areas, e.g. shop corner or house corner. These enable the children not only to understand the basic concepts of mathematics, but also ensure that their experiences are enjoyable.
Our main aims in Mathematics are to give children the knowledge and ability of basic mathematical skills, sufficient that they can use their knowledge and apply it to the world in which they live and to actively encourage our children to reach their full potential in mathematics.
Science
In keeping with the instructions of the Department of Education and the demands of the National Curriculum, the school provides a varied programme of practical investigative science in which children can explore how and why the world in which we live functions as it does. We use a variety of resources to deliver science throughout the school. Science activities are also drawn from other sources. The scientific programme is structured to stimulate curiosity and interest, develop scientific thinking and skills, lead to a firm understanding of science concepts and encourage good attitudes and imaginative, original work. Work in science is strongly linked to other subjects, particularly the design and problem-solving aspects of technology and mathematics as well as language development.
Computing
In our increasingly technological age, I.C.T. is experiencing a high profile within the curriculum.
We have a refurbished computer suite which has 30 computers and an interactive whiteboard, which classes can use every day. In each classroom there is an interactive whiteboard. Pupils also have access to ipads to enhance learning across all subjects, and to ensure all pupils see ICT in action and as an essential skill in life. In addition, the ipads are used for animation, video and audio editing, further enhancing how children can present their learning in a range of multi-media formats.
Physical Education
Physical Education, which includes gymnastics, dance, swimming and games, is an important part of the school curriculum and the National Curriculum. It is the only subject which, through the use and knowledge of the body and its movements, contributes to all aspects of the education of young people.
PE is taught on a minimum of 2 hours a week and the aim in all of its range of activities is to develop all the physical skills, to encourage an enjoyment of sport and to establish an attitude of perseverance and an acceptance of rules and decisions.
The school has a well-equipped school hall and large playing field. Year 5 and 6 classes each have a block of swimming lessons, which lasts a term and a half. These sessions take place in Kingsway Swimming Baths.
We are affiliated to the Halton Sports Association, giving us opportunities to regularly compete with schools across the borough. Through the inter-school activities we enter a range of competitions such as, cross-country, swimming and athletics. We also compete in sporting events run between schools in other local authorities.
Special Needs
In accordance with the requirements of the Special Needs Code of Practice, the school has worked hard to implement the stages of the Code. Our SEN co-ordinator is Mrs A Heston.
For children with special educational needs, differentiation of task is essential both for the child who is able and for the child with learning difficulties. Teachers’ planning for both English and Maths lessons allow for each child to progress according to their own pace and ability. In other subjects the teacher provides tasks for the children working at different stages. This may be devising work programmes to be used at home with members of the family.
Modern Foreign Language
French is taught in Key Stage 2 by an experienced French teacher, Madame Buckley. A virtual learning platform is also used to support the way children are taught by means of drama, performance, rhymes and stories. Children will develop their conversational skills as the years progress and begin to extend their ability to write simple sentences and questions. In addition, children will gain an understanding of the cultural differences and traditions of European countries.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION (PSHE)
All schools must make provision for personal, social, health and economic education of children in order for them to:
- Develop children’s confidence and responsibility
- Prepare children to enable them to play an active role as citizens
- Develop a healthier/safer lifestyle
- Develop relationships and respect differences between people.
Here at Our Lady’s PSHE is delivered using Dimensions - Learning Means the World Curriculum. As we are a Catholic School, we also follow the Liverpool Archdiocese scheme Journey in Love to deliver the relationship aspect of this important part of the curriculum. Forming relationships are central to PSHE education and children's Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development. PSHE is closely linked to other subjects particularly Science and RE and Humanities.
Our Reception children follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, this comprises of seven key areas of learning and development.
These are:
Three Prime Areas:
- Personal, Social & Emotional Development,
- Physical Development
- Communication & Language.
Four Specific Areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts & Design