Curriculum
We provide a rich, broad, balanced curriculum delivered in a creative, exciting and imaginative way. We ensure children have opportunities for first hand experiences, practical work, investigation and encourage learning through play.
Full details of our school curriculum for each academic year for all subjects are listed below.
Should you require more information, our school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum.
Mathematics
Our curriculum is designed with the aim of all pupils achieving mastery in Mathematics; developing a love of the subject and an ability to connect areas of learning to solve problems. We want our children to become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, through varied and frequent practice, so that they develop conceptual understanding and are able to recall and apply their knowledge rapidly and accurately. Mathematics is taught in mixed ability groups that focus on the life skills of collaboration, growth mind-set, resilience and problem solving as much as discrete mathematical knowledge.
The NCETM’s White Rose planning facilitates appropriate coverage of the mathematics curriculum. We also supplement this through Power Maths resources. We use a wide range of high-quality resources to ensure every learning intention is taught to maximise learning. Additional resources including Times Table Rockstars and Numbots are utilised to support children’s recall of key number facts.
English
PHONICS
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds is used daily to teach reading and phonics in Reception and Year 1. Children in Year 1 will take a national test in phonics (known as the Phonics Screening) where they will encounter a mix of real words and ‘alien’ words. In Year 2, children who did not pass the phonics screening, will take part in Little Wandle ‘Rapid Catch-up’ sessions.
READING
Reading enables children to access texts for pleasure and to achieve across the curriculum. Each classroom has an engaging reading area designed to inspire reading with intriguing and exciting texts to help spark children’s imagination and foster a motivation to read. We also have a Literacy Mill in our outdoor environment to encourage children to read outside the classroom.
Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 have reading books which closely match their current phonic knowledge. From Year 2 onwards, they progress to Big Cat Reading Fluency Books or Reading Practice Books. In addition to this the children take home a reading for pleasure book, to read independently or share with a grown-up.
We encourage parents to read and share books regularly with their child. Guided and shared reading takes place across the school and these are opportunities for the class teacher to listen to children read and develop their skills as readers. These skills included retrieval, inference, prediction, comparing and contrasting.
WRITING
We have a text based approach to the teaching of writing and use Read to Write from Literacy Counts. This provides engaging, vocabulary-rich texts, with a wealth of writing opportunities within and across the curriculum. Each text includes vocabulary learning and contextualised spelling, grammar and punctuation opportunities and is carefully and explicitly linked to the national curriculum outcomes for each year group. Shared and guided writing are important elements of the teaching sequence and are key steps between whole-class teaching and independent writing. Independent writing is planned for and carried out throughout the school at varying amounts of time during each week.
HANDWRITING
In Reception, letter formation is taught in line with Little Wandle Letters and Sounds. There is a focus on physical development and pencil grip which is usually secure by the end of their first year. From Year 1, the children begin to use cursive letter formation and when children are forming letters clearly and correctly, they will start to learn to join their letters. Children can usually join their handwriting by the end of Year 2.
SPEAKING AND LISTENING
Spoken language underpins the development of reading and writing. Interactive teaching strategies are used to engage all pupils in order to develop their confidence in the use of vocabulary and grammar, raising reading and writing standards. Role play, hot seating activities, presentations and recitals, oral rehearsal of sentences, discussion and debate are key features of teaching and learning in our school. Children are encouraged to develop effective communication skills in readiness for later life.
Science
We recognise the importance of science in every aspect of daily life. We aim to increase pupils’ knowledge and understanding of our world, and develop skills associated with science as a process of enquiry. Studying science develops the natural curiosity of the child, encourages respect for living organisms and the physical environment and provides opportunities for critical evaluation of evidence. We strive to deepen children’s scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. We develop an enthusiasm and enjoyment of scientific learning and discovery.
History
At Willaston CE Primary School we strive to provide a high-quality history education which will help children to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Our curriculum not only inspires children’s curiosity to know more about the past but it also helps them to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.
Geography
The aim of geography teaching at Willaston CE Primary School is to stimulate the children’s interest, understanding and awe and wonder about the created world around them. It is our intent to inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We use the school grounds, local environment and travel further afield to conduct geographical fieldwork. At Willaston CE Primary School we teach a geographical curriculum that endorses the importance of outdoor learning to encourage a curiosity for learning.
Our International School Award shows our commitment to embed international awareness and understanding within our school. It demonstrates how our pupils develop an increased knowledge, awareness and tolerance about other countries, cultures and languages.
Physical Education (PE)
In Physical Education we aim to equip children with the skills and knowledge required to fulfil a balanced, active, healthy lifestyle and the competence to excel in a range of activities. We also aim to inspire lifelong participation in sport and physical activity. The progressive nature of our PE planning aims to ensure children develop fundamental movement skills and apply these in a variety of increasingly challenging contexts, both competitive and cooperative. Carefully structured, engaging PE lessons encompass invasion games, net games, striking and fielding games, athletics, gymnastics, dance, outdoor adventurous activities and swimming.
Religious Education (RE)
At Willaston CE Primary School, we follow the Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) locally agreed syllabus. As a Church of England school, we also incorporate a scheme from the Diocese of Chester to support the teaching of Christianity. Children also learn the essential knowledge of other religions and worldviews, as well as the skills and attitudes such as critical thinking and empathy. We take the opportunities provided by teaching about religions and worldviews to help us to develop the social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding of all pupils. We also promote British values of acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself, encouraging tolerance, mutual respect and positive attitudes towards diversity. We develop an understanding of the importance of individual liberty and explore the importance of fairness and democracy; the rule of law and justice.
Art
We value the important role creativity plays in the delivery of all areas of the curriculum. In art we provide a progressive curriculum, providing knowledge about a range of artists from across the decades who have used a wide range of different inspirations for their work. Children are taught about the influence culture has on artistic styles. Our art curriculum develops skills in painting, drawing, collage, printing, 3D and textiles and provides children with the opportunity to explore, develop and refine skills using a range of different media.
Design and Technology (DT)
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. DT encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. We support children to be active learners with the confidence to ‘have a go,’ and the resilience to persist with a project when challenges occur.
Our DT curriculum combines skills, knowledge, concepts and values to enable children to tackle real problems. It can improve critical analysis, problem solving, and practical capability and evaluation skills. We encourage children to become innovators and risk-takers.
Modern Foreign Language (MFl)
The core modern foreign language taught at Willaston CE Primary School is Spanish. All children in KS2 and in Year 2 will access quality first teaching in Spanish by the language specialist in order to adequately prepare children for KS3. We aim to prepare children to be a global citizen now and in their future roles. Increased capability in the use of MFL promotes initiative, confidence and independent learning and encourages diversity within society.
Music
At Willaston CE Primary School we believe music is a unique way of communicating and expression. The teaching and learning of music can enable children to better understand the world they live in and how they can relate to it. It also plays an important part in helping children feel part of a community. We provide opportunities for all children to create, play, perform and enjoy music, through the teaching of music lessons and providing opportunities to expose our children to a diverse breadth and range of musical experiences.
Computing
The aims of the computing curriculum are to equip future generations with the necessary skills for adult life and employment within the ever-changing technological environment we live in. We teach three clear aspects of the computing curriculum: Computer Science, Information Technology and Digital Literacy. Children will also be given the chance to explore what the internet really is, looking at how it works and how information is sent from one place to another. Online safety is a critical part of our computing curriculum.
Relationships and Health Education (RHE) / PSHE & Life Skills
We strive to provide age appropriate relationships education which explores attitudes, values and skills. This allows children to develop individually, empowering them to make positive decisions about their health-related behaviour. Our curriculum helps children to question, understand and make sense of their place in the world. We support our children and families to create a positive mental wellbeing culture by using ‘My Happy Mind’. Life skills are taught through a programme of social action projects. We enrich our curriculum by organising activities to enhance learning opportunities. For example, healthy eating cookery workshops, road and personal safety talks from our local police community support officer.
Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) Education
We promote the social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils and actively promote fundamental British values through collective worship, a broad and balanced curriculum and a strong school ethos and values supported by effective relationships.
We teach pupils to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance. We help pupils to understand that while different people may hold different views about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, all people living in England are subject to its law.
We promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
We support pupils in challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values in a diplomatic, respectful way.
Outdoor Learning
We have established Forest School and outdoor learning at Willaston CE Primary School to give all children regular opportunities to learn, achieve, develop self-esteem and confidence in an outdoor setting. Forest school activities are planned to link closely to learning in the classroom, developing themes and ideas in a different setting. We are fortunate to have Willaston Meadow on our doorstep, which is a fantastic resource to teach the children about our local environment. We hope that by giving the children memorable learning experiences, they will develop a love and respect for their environment which they will take with them into their adult life.
Home Learning
Class teachers set weekly homework tasks which are given to children every Monday. Children have the freedom and the flexibility to respond in a number of different ways. Tasks are often open-ended, problem solving, practical tasks designed to reinforce or enhance the learning taking place in the classroom. We encourage parents to support and talk to their child about their learning as this dialogue reinforces understanding.
Links to additional on-line learning activities across all areas of the curriculum can be found in ‘Home Learning‘ on the home page of our website.
Extra-Curricular Activities
CLUBS
We are delighted to offer a wide range of lunchtime and after-school clubs. Click on the link below to see the clubs on offer for this term.
MUSIC FOR LIFE LESSONS
Parents who think their child may be interested to try lessons on a musical instrument please register your interest with Music for Life. Please phone 01978 761162, or email admin@musicforlife.org.uk or go to the website – www.musicforlife.org.uk