Our Curriculum
“Everything is possible for one who believes.” – Mark 9:23
Curriculum Intent
In our school, through our Christian ethos, we appreciate the uniqueness of everyone in our community. We strive for them to meet their full potential with a curriculum that creates a passion and excitement for learning.
We build the foundations for life-long learning by providing a range of memorable first-hand experiences that teach the skills needed to become independent and resilient learners recognising that mistakes lead to success.
Our learning environment is nurturing and inclusive; the children thrive because staff know them so well.
Communication is at the heart of our curriculum, language development is encouraged through all aspects of learning. We endeavor to allow all of our children to develop a strong set of communication skills and feel empowered to contribute to the school and its wider community.
Reading is an integral part of every individuals learning journey and we believe that it is a passport to countless adventures.
Each child is a unique individual and we seek to nurture their whole self through opportunities that develop social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
A strong partnership with our families is essential and we value their involvement in the life of our school.
Curriculum Implementation
In our school children experience hands-on real life memorable experiences to embed lifelong learning. Our Christian and school values of hope, friendship, trust, love, happiness, peace and courage are woven into all aspects of school life. We encourage children to develop academically and holistically through providing an environment where risk taking and learning from mistakes are natured and valued.
We provide a highly inclusive curriculum, which is mapped to the 2014 primary national curriculum to ensure comprehensive coverage of National expectations. There is a greater rigour in improving phonics and early reading to ensure children have the skills to access the whole curriculum as they move through the school. Each subject has a half-termly detailed plan, which teachers use to sequence and plot their daily teaching, these include:
*Adaptations and reasonable adjustments for SEND
*Common errors and misconceptions
*Opportunities for communication, negotiation and collaboration as part of a team
*First hand memorable experiences- opportunities to collaborate with parents/families and the wider community
*Prior learning
*Future learning
*Quality texts linking to the area
*Development of vocabulary
Curriculum Impact
When children leave our school, they are resilient and inquisitive learners who can communicate confidently and effectively. They will have a passion and thirst for learning that will equip them to apply the skills and knowledge needed for their next stages in learning.
We understand that our curriculum is under constant review and will be adapted to reflect the ever-evolving needs of our children and the world around them.
Our children are well-rounded individuals who have a strong sense of community and value, respect and appreciate all individuals in their world.
Ofsted January 2019
Pupils are making strong progress in writing from their starting points because of effective teaching and support.
[The school has] consulted pupils and created new curriculum themes that include pupils’ interests.
SIAMS July 2019
The curriculum is creatively designed to enable pupils to enjoy learning and achieve their best. Consequently, pupils love to come to school.
At Dereham Church Of England Infant and Nursery Academy, as well as giving the children the essential tools for learning, we believe education is about children experiencing the joy of discovery, solving problems, being creative in thinking, writing, art, music, developing their self confidence as learners and maturing socially and emotionally.
Our school curriculum takes a knowledge and skills based approach centered around speaking and listening and first hand experiences.
Through a rich and stimulating curriculum we encourage each child to become:
- successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
- confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
- responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society
The principles of learning and teaching in our school:
Good learning and teaching should:
- Ensure every child succeeds: provide an inclusive education with a culture of high expectations.
- Build on what learners already know: structure and pace teaching so that students know what is to be learnt, how and why.
- Make learning vivid and real: develop understanding through enquiry, creativity, e-learning and group problem solving.
- Make learning an enjoyable and challenging experience: stimulate learning through matching teaching techniques and strategies to a range of learning styles.
- Enrich the learning experience: build learning skills across the curriculum.
- Promote assessment for learning: make children partners in their learning.
