Our Curriculum at Manor Wood Primary School

In line with Government guidelines, our curriculum at Manor Wood has been fully reviewed. This process has involved all subject leaders and also pupil voice and has been led by the Deputy Headteachers. 

To meet the requirements of the National Curriculum, classes from Year 1 – 6 follow a number of themes with a focus on history, geography, science or design technology (DT) which is shared with parents each term by class teachers.

This approach to the curriculum means that, where appropriate, we make as many cross curricular links as possible and the topics we choose take into account:

• The requirements of the National Curriculum in terms of skills and knowledge.
• The interests and needs of our children.
• The opportunity to embed literacy and numeracy skills in real-life activities.
• The core values of our school as illustrated by our ethos statement. 

The National Curriculum sets out the minimum content. However, at Manor Wood Primary School, we work hard to ensure that our children have the opportunity to learn a wealth of additional skills and to develop their knowledge and understanding fully. For example:

• We offer a wide range of after-school clubs.
• We take part in sports leagues and sports opportunities in the locality and across the city.
• We have a specialist music teacher to lead music across the school.
• Specialist teachers also provide a variety of instrument lessons including violin, cello, viola, keyboards, flute, clarinet and percussion. A choir is also in place.
• An art specialist teaches across Key Stage 2.
• Practitioners with a particular skill and expertise in PE teach the Year 5 and 6 classes.
• Current local / national or international events regularly provide a basis for learning.
• Independence and personal responsibility are taught through Restorative Practice and many of our children are RP reps, promoting and supporting good behaviour across school.
• All children are involved in electing Team Captains from Year 6 who put themselves forward for these positions and take a leading role in school.
• Eco Champions from the pupil body promote environmental awareness and responsibility.
• Higher attaining children are not restricted by the National Curriculum and are encouraged to think flexibly, take risks with their learning and to pursue excellence in particular areas.

Although the National Curriculum is in place and we are required to follow the programmes of study, we can interpret it in such a way that it meets the needs and interests of our children. Our curriculum is delivered using an annual cycle and is taught by class teachers with the exception of art.

Staffing is generous and a team of 23 teachers (plus Deputy and Headteacher) are responsible for teaching 16 classes, including Nursery. They are effectively supported by talented cover supervisors and teaching assistants. This enables large classes to be taught in very small groups.

Core Areas of the Curriculum

Mathematics and Literacy

In mathematics, although we teach using Mastery Maths, we focus on the core skills to ensure that key concepts are embedded. This is also true of literacy and we encourage parents to support their children at home by practising:

• times tables and number bonds
• spellings from the year group lists
• regular reading
• taking the time to communicate with your children.

We have a very wide range of reading texts for the children including an extensive library of free reading materials. 

Our phonics scheme is "FFT Success for All."

Additional homework is set by teachers each week which children are expected to complete.

Science

Science is taught as a discrete subject with each year group following the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for each Key Stage. In addition, all opportunities for cross curricular links are planned for. We are fortunate to have a well-equipped STEM lab where many of our STEM sessions take place.

Computing

As well as dedicated Computing lessons, which form part of the statutory National Curriculum, there are many more lessons in which information and communication technology (ICT) is used as a ‘vehicle’ to learn in other areas.

The Foundation Subjects

These subjects include history, geography, art, music, Design Technology, Modern Foreign Languages, PE and Religious Education and a long term plan is in place to ensure all the skills and knowledge are addressed.

Personal and social education (PSE)

PSE is taught both discretely through assemblies and restorative practice, through the study of key texts across school, and through the day to day life of the school. As a school we are committed to ensuring that our children have every opportunity to develop socially and emotionally as empathy and understanding are integral to their future development as rounded people.

This is not a separate area of the National Curriculum but PSE runs seamlessly through all we do.