Our Whole School Curriculum Plan

If you would like to find out more about the curriculum our school follows, please ask for the information from the office/reception located at the front of school.

Arundale uses the both the Foundation Curriculum and National Curriculum as a basis for curriculum delivery. At our school we cover three Key Stages:

• Foundation Stage for children aged 3 to 5 years.
• Key Stage 1 for children aged 5-7 years in Years 1 and 2 classes.
• Key Stage 2 for children aged 7-11 years in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes. 

Early Years Foundation Stage

At Arundale we provide a warm and welcoming environment for children starting at school.  Good communication between families and school helps to ensure a smooth transition, but also enables the teacher to learn about each child from the adult that knows them best.  Information from pre-schools will also help to ensure continuity of experience in the Foundation Stage.

At this stage, young children are developing rapidly and the Foundation Stage helps them to maximise their potential. Children vary greatly in their maturity and experiences and with this in mind the learning and developmental processes will have to be carefully planned to take account of their individual needs. Children may be engaged in some whole class activities, some individual learning opportunities, or playing co-operatively in small groups.

At Arundale we aim to nurture and build upon the natural energy, enthusiasm, curiosity and sense of humour of children. In the Foundation Stage, the children are exposed to the six areas of learning and with this as our basis we offer a variety of play opportunities which include imaginative play, designing and constructing, investigating and exploring sand and water, creative activities and energetic play both inside and outside. Through these experiences children's language will be enriched and their understanding of the natural and built world will be extended; physical abilities and co-ordination will develop; and levels of concentration and persistence will be raised. 

Key Stages 1 and 2

Our school curriculum helps to develop enjoyment of, and commitment to, learning as a means of encouraging and stimulating the best possible progress and the highest attainment for all pupils. It builds on pupils' strengths, interests and experiences and develops their confidence in their capacity to learn and work independently and collaboratively. It equips them with the essential learning skills of English, maths and computing, and helps to promote an enquiring mind and the capacity to think rationally.

By providing rich and varied contexts for pupils to acquire, develop and apply a broad range of knowledge, understanding and skills, the curriculum enables pupils to think creatively and critically, to solve problems and to make a difference for the better. It gives them the opportunity to become creative, innovative, enterprising and capable of leadership to equip them for their future lives as workers and citizens. It also helps to develop their physical skills and encourage them to recognise the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle and keeping themselves and others safe.

Our school curriculum also promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and, in particular, develops principles for distinguishing between right and wrong. It helps to develop their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their own and different beliefs and cultures, and how these influence individuals and societies. Our school curriculum passes on enduring values, develops pupils' integrity and autonomy and helps them to be responsible and caring citizens capable of contributing to the development of a just society. It promotes equal opportunities and enables pupils to challenge discrimination and stereotyping. We help our pupils to develop their awareness and understanding of, and respect for, the environments in which they live, and secure their commitment to sustainable development at a personal, local, national and global level.  

The school curriculum promotes pupils' self-esteem and emotional well-being and helps them to form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationships, based on respect for themselves and for others, at home, school, work and in the community.

At Key Stages 1 and 2 the same subjects are studied. These are:

• Core subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Phonics and Religious Education (RE).
• Foundation subjects: Computing, Geography, History, Music, PE (Physical Education), MFL (Modern Foreign Languages), Art and Design and Design and Technology. These are taught in a cross curricular approach via Topic based activities during our creative curriculum afternoons.
• Sex & Relationship Education (SRE), Personal Health, Social & Emotional (PHSE)  & Citizenship 
• All children must study religious education unless they have been withdrawn from lessons by their parents. Parents wishing to withdraw pupils from acts of worship and religious education are asked to contact the Head teacher. A room is provided for Pupils who wish to follow through acts of worship other than that  provided by the School.
• Relationship & Sex Education is taught through various elements of the National Curriculum. We use professionals to deliver specific aspects of sex education in Year 6 and we endeavour to answer children’s questions regarding sex, both honestly and frankly while taking into consideration the level of maturity and understanding that the child has. The school’s Sex Education Policy is followed by all staff. As with all school policies, a copy is available for parents to see if they wish.
• An alternative curriculum is provided for pupils from Year 1 to 6 that is designed to give them skills for life. 

For more information on our different interventions delivered to KS1 and KS2 please visit our interventions page here https://www.arundaleprimary.co.uk/interventions/