Our Curriculum
“ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18 New Revised Standard Version)
The curriculum is all the planned activities that we organise in order to promote learning, personal growth and development. It includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the range of extra-curricular activities that the school organises. Children’s time at Wootton St. Peter’s is rich with experiences to open horizons of hope and aspiration. We want to ensure that they have every opportunity to be successful in the next stage of their education and beyond. We believe that the curriculum will equip our children with the confidence to grow, meet challenges and give them the knowledge that can change the world and make a difference.
Our children become the rocks upon which a better world can be built.
The curriculum is all the planned activities that we organise in order to promote learning, personal growth and development. It includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the range of extra-curricular activities that the school organises. Children’s time at Wootton St. Peter’s is rich with experiences to open horizons of hope and aspiration. We want to ensure that they have every opportunity to be successful in the next stage of their education and beyond. We believe that the curriculum will equip our children with the confidence to grow, meet challenges and give them the knowledge that can change the world and make a difference.
Our children become the rocks upon which a better world can be built.
To find out more about Curriculum Enrichment click here
The National Curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens. It introduces pupils to the best that has been thought and said and helps engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.
The National Curriculum is just one element in the education of every child. There is time and space in the school day and in each week, term and year to extend beyond the National Curriculum specifications. The National Curriculum provides an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote the development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum.
The National Curriculum is taught to all children from year one. It consists of five core subjects:
Mathematics, English, Science, Computing and Religious Education
The foundation subjects are: History, Geography, Art & Design, PE, Music, PSHCE and Design Technology.
At Wootton St Peter’s the delivery of the curriculum is constantly reviewed so that it is broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated. Subjects are taught both individually and in a cross curricular way. Many teaching methods and approaches are used throughout the school, recognising that children learn in a variety of ways. Follow the link to find out more about our topics and long term planning.
The National Curriculum is just one element in the education of every child. There is time and space in the school day and in each week, term and year to extend beyond the National Curriculum specifications. The National Curriculum provides an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote the development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum.
The National Curriculum is taught to all children from year one. It consists of five core subjects:
Mathematics, English, Science, Computing and Religious Education
The foundation subjects are: History, Geography, Art & Design, PE, Music, PSHCE and Design Technology.
At Wootton St Peter’s the delivery of the curriculum is constantly reviewed so that it is broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated. Subjects are taught both individually and in a cross curricular way. Many teaching methods and approaches are used throughout the school, recognising that children learn in a variety of ways. Follow the link to find out more about our topics and long term planning.
Click on the links for information on our curriculum at Wootton School.
Curriculum policy .pdf
For more information on the National Curriculum, click on the links below.
National Curriculum Parent Guide Scholastic
National Curriculum Parent Guide Rising Stars
Class teachers send out a letter at the beginning of each term with detailed information about what the children are studying in all subjects. These letters, along with class curriculum maps, can also be found on the individual class pages (links below):
Little Gems
Opal
Jade
Moonstone
The Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which covers the first years of school in nursery and reception, has seven areas of learning:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Literacy
- Maths
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Mathematics
Mathematics provides a foundation for understanding the world, and is an essential part of most forms of employment, with very specific links to science, engineering and technology.
The ability to reason mathematically, as well as to appreciate the beauty and power of mathematics, should be at the basis of all teaching and learning.
The documents linked outline how we teach Mathematics at Wootton School.
Teaching calculation
National Curriculum Maths
White Rose Mathematics Skills Progression
English
At Wootton St Peter’s we make learning English a creative and engaging experience. We have adopted a book-led approach and therefore high-quality texts are at the heart of our curriculum. Our English provision aims to support our work as a Thinking School and encourage children to become critical thinkers and reflective life-long learners. We ensure children develop the key skills in spoken language, reading and writing that will empower them to become the rocks upon which a better world can be built.
Our curriculum is designed to give all children the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. We aim to achieve this through the diverse range of texts that children are exposed to, linking learning in English with other subjects and planning opportunities for additional rich learning experiences. More information is available in our English document.
Reading
Reading is a skill essential for life and at Wootton we want our children to leave school with a love and appreciation of reading. Reading is a habit, and that habit needs to be grounded in what we do at school. Reading allows us to discover more about our world, which we are all citizens of, and pupils are encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live in, establish an appreciation and love of reading and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. Reading widely and often increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens a treasure-house of wonder and joy for curious minds. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. They can acquire all the skills of language that are essential to participating fully as a member of society. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. A team of reading counsellors supports us and there are plenty of books for you to share with your child at home. We aim for our children to become confident and independent readers, who see reading as a worthwhile and pleasurable experience.
At Wootton St Peter’s School we use the Read Write Inc. phonics system to teach our children to read. Links to the website and other useful websites can be found by clicking on the link below:
Reading is a skill essential for life and at Wootton we want our children to leave school with a love and appreciation of reading. Reading is a habit, and that habit needs to be grounded in what we do at school. Reading allows us to discover more about our world, which we are all citizens of, and pupils are encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live in, establish an appreciation and love of reading and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. Reading widely and often increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens a treasure-house of wonder and joy for curious minds. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. They can acquire all the skills of language that are essential to participating fully as a member of society. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. A team of reading counsellors supports us and there are plenty of books for you to share with your child at home. We aim for our children to become confident and independent readers, who see reading as a worthwhile and pleasurable experience.
At Wootton St Peter’s School we use the Read Write Inc. phonics system to teach our children to read. Links to the website and other useful websites can be found by clicking on the link below:
Phonics websites
We have developed a reading spine so that our children are exposed to a broad, diverse and inclusive range of books. To find out more click on the links below:
Little Gems Reading Spine
Opal class Reading Spine
Jade class Reading Spine
Moonstone class Reading Spine
Reading Progression of skills
Read Write Inc Progression of Skills
Writing
Writing is an essential part of our curriculum and of high importance at Wootton to prepare children for the next stage of their education.
Writing is taught daily across the school. In EYFS, children at the beginning of their writing journey are taught to write words and sentences linked to the current sound that they are learning in their RWI sessions. In EYFS, children also have ‘Drawing Club’ sessions daily. Each week a new book is explored and children discuss the character, setting and events in detail. New vocabulary linked to the text is taught. Children are then invited to draw a key character or setting from the story and when they are ready, begin to label and write sentences linked to what they have read.
Writing and mark making is also encouraged as part of children’s play within continuous provision. Teachers and teaching assistants explicitly model writing for a range of purposes and audiences and discuss this with the children.
In KS1 and KS2 each writing unit is anchored in a core text from our Reading Spine. The core text is chosen to inspire and engage children in their writing and is linked, where appropriate, to the current topic/theme that they are studying in other subjects. Core texts are often also explored at the same time in reading skills sessions, enabling children to move from ‘reading as a reader’, to ‘reading as a writer’ and exploring the writer’s craft before using the skills and techniques in their own writing.
Children are provided with the skills to write to write a range of fiction and non-fiction text types which are mapped out in long-term planning.
Writing is an essential part of our curriculum and of high importance at Wootton to prepare children for the next stage of their education.
Writing is taught daily across the school. In EYFS, children at the beginning of their writing journey are taught to write words and sentences linked to the current sound that they are learning in their RWI sessions. In EYFS, children also have ‘Drawing Club’ sessions daily. Each week a new book is explored and children discuss the character, setting and events in detail. New vocabulary linked to the text is taught. Children are then invited to draw a key character or setting from the story and when they are ready, begin to label and write sentences linked to what they have read.
Writing and mark making is also encouraged as part of children’s play within continuous provision. Teachers and teaching assistants explicitly model writing for a range of purposes and audiences and discuss this with the children.
In KS1 and KS2 each writing unit is anchored in a core text from our Reading Spine. The core text is chosen to inspire and engage children in their writing and is linked, where appropriate, to the current topic/theme that they are studying in other subjects. Core texts are often also explored at the same time in reading skills sessions, enabling children to move from ‘reading as a reader’, to ‘reading as a writer’ and exploring the writer’s craft before using the skills and techniques in their own writing.
Children are provided with the skills to write to write a range of fiction and non-fiction text types which are mapped out in long-term planning.
Writing Progression of Skills
Science
Science is taught using three broad categories:
life processes and living things, materials and their properties and physical processes
We encourage our children to observe, question and respond to a variety of investigations, related where possible to their everyday experience and knowledge. Science is essentially a practical subject where processes and outcomes are equally important.
Science Progression of Skills
Computing
Computing prepares children to participate in a rapidly changing technological world. Our children experience the benefits of computers on a daily basis with interactive whiteboards in each classroom. Numeracy and literacy work is enhanced by specifically designed software that children can use independently. Pupils are taught to specific computing skills and learn to use them confidently across the curriculum. They can use a wide range of computing tools and information sources, including the Internet, to support their work. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends the school has 18 iPads which are used constantly in the classroom to enhance learning. We have 30 notebooks, and have recently purchased 16 chrome books, keeping our computer hardware up to date.
Computing Progression of skills
Religious Education
We follow the Oxfordshire County Council agreed syllabus, introducing the children to the customs, clothing, artefacts and beliefs of four faiths – Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam. Pupils take part in a daily Christian act of worship in a whole school assembly or in class. Parents may withdraw their children from Christian worship and religious education. We aim to foster a child’s sense of wonder at the beauty of the world around them in religious education and across the curriculum. The school celebrates important Christian occasions in St Peter’s Church and the rector, the Revd. Jon Williams is a much welcomed and valued visitor to the school.
RE Progression of Skills
History and Geography
These subjects are mostly taught through topic work, often with first-hand experience and observations. By stimulating their interest in people and places, both today and in the past, we hope to enhance their sense of responsibility for the world and its people.
History Progression of Skills
Geography Progression of Skills
Art & Design
Art & Design is taught and enjoyed in its own right and is also used to enhance the learning in other curriculum areas. The children are shown how to use a wide range of media, skills and tools in a 2-D and 3-D context. Their enthusiasm, talent and creativity are celebrated around the school on the display areas. Art is also a wonderful way of appreciating other times and cultures.
Art and Design Progression of skills
Physical Education
Through a carefully planned PE program, we aim to encourage fitness and improve the skill levels of all our children. Indoor PE, which takes place in the school hall, includes gymnastics and dance. Outdoor PE on the playground or field includes athletics and games such as football, netball, rounders, hockey, cricket and rugby. The competition is natural, children are taught to play fairly and with good sportsmanship. It is important that each child has a sense of achievement and enjoyment from PE. Children in years 2 – 6 receive swimming lessons at Westminster College during terms three to six. May pole and country dancing is enjoyed by all children.
PE Progression of skills
Modern Foreign languages – German
Learning about the culture and language of other countries is essential to broaden our understanding and appreciation of the wider world. We are vey fortunate that Ms Klepac is a native German speaker, so she teaches German to the children in Jade and Moonstone classes. She also teaches songs and rhymes to children in Reception and Key Stage 1, so that they can start Year 3 listening and speaking with confidence and understanding.
MFL German Progression of skills.
Music
Wootton St. Peter’s is awash with the happy singing voices of our children. Opportunities to enjoy and shine in performances are plentiful, and include Christmas and Easter productions and performances with other local schools. Older children have the chance to receive instrumental tuition from visiting music teachers for example clarinet, piano, cornet. The music curriculum involves: singing, playing and making music, listening to and appreciating music, composing. The children are exposed to a variety of styles and genres of music and have access to a variety of percussion instruments. All year three and four children learn to play the recorder in their weekly lessons. Some go on to play their preferred instrument with a specialist in the upper juniors.
Music Progression of Skills
PSHE
At Wootton St Peter’s Primary School we use SCARF, a comprehensive scheme of work for PSHE and Wellbeing education. An overview of SCARF can be found in the links below.
It covers all of the DfE’s new statutory requirements for Relationships Education and Health Education, including non-statutory Sex Education, and the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study’s recommended learning opportunities, as well as contributing to different subject areas in the National Curriculum.
PSHE RSE Information for parents
PSHE RSE Long Term Plan
PSHE RSE Medium term plan Reception
PSHE RSE Medium Term Plans KS1 & 2
Homework
Children benefit enormously from support with their work at home. Appropriate levels of literacy and numeracy homework, and later topic work, are provided to reinforce work covered at school.