Curriculum Plan

Last updated: May 2021
 
Please see below overviews for each class and whole school guides for Maths, Religious Education (RE) and Physical Education (PE). We have worked as a team to make our learning journeys even more creative, immersive and engaging for our pupils.
 
Inspired by 'A Curriculum of Hope' by Debra Kidd, we have planned this term's learning with a deeper focus. The overviews are not merely a breakdown of tasks we plan to share, but insights into the thinking behind our learning journeys.
 
Each class overview includes key outcomes, texts and vocabulary for the main learning in each class. 'Curriculum intent' shares why we are learning what we are learning. 'Narrative hooks' are challenges and problems which we hope children will find engaging to explore. Our school values are embedded through the curriculum to keep our learning values-led.
 
Each class will focus on core concepts and inquiry questions to help us explore our understanding at a deeper level.
 
The five core elements of learning are then broken down to explore how this works with our children:
 
Credibility - what will we learn?
Creativity - how will we show our understanding in multiple ways?
Coherence - how does this connect to our past and future learning?
Compassion - embedding empathy and understanding into our learning
Community - what links can we make across our school, village, local area, the UK, Europe and the world?
 
All of the learning is based on the National Curriculum but we are evolving our curriculum to excite and interest pupils by bringing more meaning and value. We are not just learning dates to recall facts, we hope to explore the humanity behind events in history and geography, for example, to give us more reasons for hope as our children develop their skills and knowledge to make the world a better place.
 
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments and we look forward to sharing this exciting new chapter of our curriculum.
 

We follow the 2014 National Curriculum; we write to parents every term with a 'Curriculum Overview' describing the learning planned.Please see the latest copies above.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the curriculum studied at Twineham CofE School, please speak to your Class Teacher or Mr Reece. 

 

Teaching and Learning

We believe that children learn best when they are happy and secure and are given appropriate, challenging activities to help them develop their full potential. We plan our teaching to reflect many different learning styles and the different levels of ability in each class. We use a variety of different teaching strategies as appropriate, including whole class, group, paired and individual teaching - all designed to suit different preferred learning styles. We are constantly reviewing our teaching, learning and curriculum to enable children to learn to the best of their ability.

We believe strongly that partnership with parents is a key factor in education. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their child's education and our staff aim to be as approachable as possible. Teachers are usually available on an informal basis when children leave school, or appointments can be made with class teachers or the Headteacher to discuss an issue privately or at greater length. At Twineham we aim to be a 'learning community', encouraging not only pupils, but also staff, parents and governors to be learners for life, and to enjoy their learning! We are "building learning power" at school.

The Early Years

The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Profile summarises and discribes chuildren's attainment at the end of the EYFS. It is based on ongoing observation and assessment in the three prime and four specific areas of learning, and the three learning characteristics, set out below:

The prime areas of learning:

  • communication and language
  • physical development
  • personal, social and emotional development

The specific areas of learning:

  • literacy
  • mathmatics
  • understanding the world
  • expressive arts and design

The learning characteristics:

  • playing and exploring
  • active learning
  • creating and thinking ctitically

The National Curriculum

Programmes of study for 5-11 year olds follow learning objectives set out in the National Curriculum. Whilst considerable importance is placed on the basic skills of literacy and numeracy with children having a daily, dedicated session in these two areas, we also recognise the value of all the other areas of education and make considerable effort to give every pupil a rounded educational experience.

Religious Education and Collective Worship

Children learn about the principal beliefs of Christian life and other major religions. They are introduced to the concepts of meaning and purpose of life, people's values and commitments in the light of their learning. Collective worship takes place daily for all pupils, with the Rector and church members participating in school assemblies very frequently. We hold services at Twineham Church at least once a term. If parents wish to withdraw their child from Religious Education lessons and assemblies, they should contact the Headteacher.

Special Needs

Great attention is paid to providing a curriculum which is differentiated and meets all children's needs. In some cases, however, extra support and/or advice are needed. Initially, in school support is offered based on an individual education plan. Extra, focused support may be given to such pupils in small working groups or even individually. The school is also able to draw on the advice given by outside agencies such as educational psychologists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. We are keen to involve parents as much as possible should children need extra support in school.

More Able Pupils

Identified pupils who are very able in specific areas of the curriculum are entered on our More Able Pupil register. Staff use a variety of teaching strategies to enable all pupils to reach their full potential. Besides differentiating the curriculum in school, these pupils are often offered enrichment courses at the weekend held by West Sussex County Council, the Nears Network, CIC locality or through our own school provision. Our able mathematicians have taken part in Maths competitions against local schools. Recently some of our able writers have been attending workshops led by well-known authors.

Assessment

Teachers assess the progress of pupils regularly and use these assessments to inform future planning and targets. Pupils undertake statutory assessments at the end of Year 6, which are reported to parents. Our results are very pleasing and children make good progress. For Year 2 children, a Teacher's Assessment is reported to parents. All pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 take reading writing and maths tests each year to check on pupils' progress. Our Y1 children undertake a phonics check and again our children perform very well in this. All this information enables us to follow the progress of individual pupils and ensure that each child continues to make good progress.

Progress and attainment of children

Parents are welcome to make an appointment to discuss the progress of their child/ren at any time. We hold two formal consultation evenings each year and annual reports go home during the Summer Term.

 

Classes have regular opportunities to extend classroom learning through educational visits. Places of interest have included: The Sealife Centre, Preston Manor, The London Museum and Legoland. We are also lucky to have a farm so close so the children harvest the plums from the garden to make jam for our Harvest festival. We follow West Sussex County Council guidance in relation to Health and Safety matters regarding all these visits.

Extra Curricular Activities


For a small school we are very fortunate that we are able to offer an extensive range of clubs to Key Stage 2 pupils. We believe it is vital to offer children the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities. Members of the teaching staff or trained coaches run clubs after school or at lunchtime with parent volunteers. The clubs available are listed in a letter sent to parents and carers at the beginning of each term. Activities include performing arts, crafts, recorders, ICT sewing and gardening. Sports clubs include cricket, football (girls and boys), hockey, netball, tag rugby, zumba, cross country, arts, crafts, recorders, gardening, ICT, sewing, bible club- Little Fishes and sports clubs include football, tag rugby, cricket, netball, zumba, cross-country, and mixed sports. Clubs and activities are subject to change. Clubs and activities vary each year.

Cycling Proficiency (Bike Ability)

Every year we run a Bike Ability Course for children in Year 6. A Road Safety Officer teaches children their Road Safety.

Residential Visit

Every two years we offer pupils in Years 5 and 6 the opportunity to spend a week at an activity centre. Besides the educational opportunities, this is an extremely valuable experience in terms of developing social skills and levels of independence.