Witheridge Academy School Curriculum

CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION

For many years now at Witheridge Academy we have developed a globally thematic Big Event curriculum which we believe is inspirational and awe-inspiring. In order to continue to build on this work, we made the decision to combine the exciting Cornerstones creative curriculum with our own.

The Cornerstones Curriculum is a creative and thematic approach to learning that is mapped to the National Curriculum to ensure comprehensive coverage of national expectations. The learning journey is mapped out year by year, subject-specific content ensures there is clear progression, consolidation and extension of skills and knowledge. Knowledge Rich Projects (KRPs) and Imaginative Learning Projects (ILPs) provide exciting learning activities across all subjects. The KRPs and ILPs deliver the content of the Cornerstones Curriculum and deliver a thematic and cross-curricular teaching plan. Each KRP/ILP contains a vast range of lessons and activities directly related to the National Curriculum programmes of study.

The approach we take is based on the following four key components of learning:

The use of these four components across the schools provides us with a common focus for learning. We believe that children learn best in different ways and therefore we aim to create a high-quality learning environment in which the four components can flourish. 

Engage

Our pupils will :

• get to take part in a memorable experience through a Big Event. Each topic begins with an event that stimulates the children’s curiosity and enthusiasm. These events usually involve a class educational visit or inviting an expert into the classroom. Examples of our previous Big Events range from taking the children 100 metres below ground into the coal mines of the Big Pit in South Wales to taking the whole school to Lundy Island on the HMS Oldenburg. 
• be introduced in exciting ways to the new topic or theme
• begin initial research and set enquiry questions
• have lots of opportunities to make observations
• develop spoken language skills
• have lots of fun, allowing them to fully ‘engage’ with their new topic

Develop  

Our children will :

• dig much deeper to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of a topic across the curriculum
• practice their  skills
• compose, make, do, build, investigate, explore, write for different purposes, read across the curriculum
• research their own questions and those posed by others
• follow new pathways of enquiry based on their own interests

Innovate

Our pupils will :

• apply previous skills, knowledge and understanding in real-life contexts
• be challenged with real or imagined problems to see if they can use knowledge and skills from the earlier stages in order to solve them.
• be inspired with imaginative and creative opportunities
• have time to review skills, knowledge and understanding not grasped during the development stage
• have the opportunity to take on different roles using Mantle of the Expert

Express

Our children will :

• share their achievements with others in many different ways with parents, class peers and the community
• evaluate finished products/processes