Curriculum Statement
Intent
Our curriculum at Longney CE Primary Academy is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It is set within a Christian context, which recognises the uniqueness of every child and which serves to prepare them for their future. We are committed to sustaining high quality educational provision that provides opportunities for our children to develop as independent, confident and successful learners who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. Our curriculum is underpinned by our four drivers: initiative, creative arts, environment and spirituality as well as our four core values: respect, perseverance, courage and friendship. Through these, we ensure that our children are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
Implementation
The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school. The curriculum provides children with memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills.
Our staff value the different ways in which pupils learn and plan lessons to account for these differences. Our subjects are taught through a connected curriculum which enables pupils to make links across a range of subjects. We use P4C to encourage our pupils to think and the ‘big questions’ in life, to be able to listen to the opinions of others and, where appropriate, to disagree respectfully and offer their own point of view.
Teachers use different learning resources to teach core content, e.g. IT, video, educational visits. By using different techniques, we intend on keeping pupils engaged with learning and accommodate pupils who learn differently to their peers. The school takes pride in providing a highly inclusive environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and most make very good progress in most subjects and areas of learning. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged and supported through being offered tasks which provide opportunities for greater depth and those who struggle are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.
We provide a variety of extra-curricular activities for pupils that enhance their learning experience. The activities range from after-school clubs to educational trips and visits. The activities are designed to enhance pupils’ learning experience, form personal connections between pupils and their peers and teach skills essential for life after school.
The outdoor environment is considered an opportunity for active learning for all our children. Pupils take part in Active Maths and all regularly access our Forest School. We ensure that all learners have access to good quality educational experiences beyond the classroom walls and ensure frequent and progressive learning outside the classroom opportunities are integrated into the curriculum.
Music and performance have a high profile in the school. All pupils take part in a drama production each year and there is the opportunity to join the drama club. Pupils have the opportunity to participate in the local dance festivals and debating events. There is a school choir and a variety of instrumental lessons are on offer taught by peripatetic staff. Pupils also learn an instrument within whole class music lessons in Year 3 and 4. They take part in concerts such as Young Voices and the Gloucester Cathedral singing project. Sport is a very important part of school life Children will work with specialist coaches and have the opportunity to compete in wide range of sports including indoor rowing and archery. We have achieved the School Games Gold Mark in 2018/2019. 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.
Subject leaders play an important part in the success of the curriculum by leading a regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review and the celebration of good practice contributes to the ongoing commitment to evolve and improve further. All subject leaders are given training and the opportunity to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding, so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school.
Impact
Longney CE Primary Academy provides a strong foundation and opportunities for children to collaborate and develop social skills both indoors and out. This curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and small groups of children can be met within the environment of high quality first wave teaching, supported by targeted, proven interventions where appropriate. In this way, it can be seen to impact in a very positive way on children’s outcomes. Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour and children feel safe to try new things, developing growth mind set and learn how to push themselves outside their comfort zone.
