The Witheridge Academy Big Event Curriculum

Curriculum Statement of Intent

Intent

At Witheridge C of E Academy, we aspire to encourage one another and build each other up to be the best that we can be: the best learners, the best friends, the best people, in school and in the wider community, now and in the future. This aspiration is underpinned by our 6 core School Christian Values that we try to follow in school; Thankfulness, Compassion, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Courage and Friendship. In order to achieve this, we have created a curriculum built on four drivers: Building Learning Power, Building Communities, Building Self-Esteem and Building Futures. It is through our drivers that we seek to raise children's personal aspirations by providing them with the skills, knowledge and understanding to realise their ambitions.  The Big Event curriculum provides opportunities for the children to develop a sense of pride in their locality and at the same time supports them in gaining a secure understanding of other cultures from around the world. Our curriculum is rich, exciting and diverse, but most importantly, it is accessible to all because we ensure all children have the skills they need to engage with their learning at every level. At Witheridge C of E Academy we provide a topic-based approach to teaching and learning built around the Cornerstones Curriculum, a nationally recognised approach for delivering outstanding learning opportunities for children. At Witheridge C of E Academy we provide a topic-based approach to teaching and learning build around the Cornerstones Curriculum, a nationally recognised approach for delivering outstanding learning opportunities for children. 

 

The larger concepts of the National Curriculum are delivered through ten 'Big Ideas' as follows:

General Principles

The Witheridge Academy Big Event Curriculum will give our pupils the opportunity to:

• explore the breadth and depth of the national curriculum
• develop a rich and deep subject knowledge
• experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning
• learn within a coherent and progressive framework
• provide opportunities for children to lead their own learning in order to enable them to become confident, resourceful, creative and  enquiring independent learners.

SMSC

The Witheridge Academy Big Event Curriculum will give our pupils the opportunity to:

• Spiritual - Explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences
• Moral - Recognise right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views
• Social - Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict
• Cultural - Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity
• Tolerance and respect - To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others

Wellbeing

The Witheridge Academy Big Event Curriculum will give our pupils the opportunity to:

• learn in a peaceful and supportive environment
• foster children’s self-esteem and help them build positive relationships with other people
• Follow their interests and be themselves

Pupil Voice

Our curriculum will give the children the opportunity to:

• explore ways of becoming an active citizen
• make a positive contribution to the school and local community

• express their opinions on a range of different issues.
• feel confident when speaking to larger groups of peers/adults

Pedagogy

Our curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that:

• excites, promotes and sustains children’s interest
• enables children to reflect on and evaluate their learning
• promotes problem solving, creativity and communication
• offers all children a memorable Big Event experience at the start of every topic.

Enrichment

We will enrich our curriculum by:

• developing global partnerships with schools in Europe, India and Africa which extend children's opportunities for learning.
• opportunities for learning outdoors
• welcoming parents and carers to take part in children’s learning and experiences
• holding specialist curriculum days or weeks
• developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning

Purpose

As a Church of England School, we are fully inclusive and welcome children from all faiths and cultures. Our curriculum is broad and balanced and is designed to ensure that all children are actively involved in their learning, develop both socially and academically and experience the curriculum through learning that is real and relevant.

We are a globally outward-looking school and we strive to ensure our children grow up knowing about the world in which they live and in addition to this have an understanding of the responsibilities as global citizens.

It is our aim that by the time the children leave Witheridge Academy and transition onto the next stage of their education, they are equipped with the academic skills and knowledge, and have developed the personal attributes needed to enable them to become successful citizens of the future.

 

 

 

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