Curriculum Intent

At Aycliffe Community Primary School, our curriculum is underpinned by our school vision: Make a Difference.

We provide an ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum that enables all pupils, whatever their starting points or individual needs, to develop the knowledge, skills, vocabulary and learning behaviours they need to succeed in the next stage of their education and in later life. Our curriculum reflects our school values of being Ambitious, Respectful, Nurturing and Responsible and our commitment to ensuring that every child feels that they belong, can achieve and can make a positive difference.

As a Rights Respecting School, we want pupils to develop an understanding of themselves, their community and the wider world. We provide opportunities for children to understand their rights and responsibilities, express their views, listen respectfully to others and participate positively in school life and the wider community.

An ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum

Our curriculum meets the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and is organised through clearly defined subjects. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on what they already know and can do, developing increasingly secure and sophisticated knowledge and skills over time.

To support this sequencing, we draw upon high-quality curriculum programmes and resources. Art and Design, Computing, Design and Technology, Geography, History, PSHE, Religious Education and Spanish are taught through Kapow Primary, using its mixed-age curriculum pathways. Science follows the Kent Scheme of Work for Primary Science, Music follows the Sing Up curriculum, and PE is taught through our own progressive, school-developed curriculum. Teachers adapt teaching appropriately in response to pupils' needs while maintaining ambitious expectations for all.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children follow our own carefully planned EYFS curriculum. This provides the foundations for future learning through the seven areas of learning and development and prepares children for the knowledge, skills and experiences they will encounter as they progress through school.

English, mathematics and communication

English and mathematics are fundamental to our curriculum. Pupils are taught to become confident readers, writers and mathematicians and are provided with opportunities to apply these skills across the wider curriculum.

We place particular importance on developing pupils' language, vocabulary and oracy. Teachers explicitly introduce and revisit important vocabulary and provide opportunities for pupils to explain their thinking, discuss ideas, ask questions and communicate confidently with different audiences.

Knowing and remembering more

Our curriculum identifies the important knowledge and skills pupils need to learn. Teachers make connections with previous learning and provide regular opportunities for pupils to retrieve, revisit and apply what they have previously learned. This helps pupils to develop increasingly secure understanding and make meaningful connections between new and existing knowledge.

Assessment is an integral part of teaching. Teachers use questioning, discussion, pupils' work and other assessment opportunities to establish what pupils know and understand and to identify appropriate next steps. Within subjects taught through Kapow, end-of-unit assessment is used alongside teachers' professional judgement and evidence from pupils' work.

Inclusion and ambition for all

Aycliffe is an inclusive learning community and we recognise that pupils may experience different barriers to learning. Our curriculum remains ambitious for pupils with SEND and other additional needs.

Teachers use adaptive teaching, appropriate scaffolding and reasonable adjustments to enable pupils to access and participate in the curriculum alongside their peers. Where pupils require additional provision, this is identified through provision maps and, where appropriate, personalised plans. Our aim is not simply for pupils to access learning, but for all pupils to experience success and develop increasing confidence and independence.

Developing effective learners

Alongside subject knowledge and skills, we explicitly develop the behaviours that help children become successful learners. Our six learning behaviours are:

Engaged • Resourceful • Independent • Collaborative • Curious • Reflective

These behaviours encourage pupils to approach learning positively, persevere when faced with challenge, work effectively with others, ask questions, think about their learning and become increasingly independent.

Experiences beyond the classroom

The taught curriculum is enriched by experiences that broaden pupils' understanding of the world and enable them to apply their learning in meaningful contexts. Our Rights Respecting ethos, assemblies, pupil voice, Pupil Panels, Days for Change and wider enrichment opportunities give pupils opportunities to participate, contribute and develop confidence.

Through the combination of academic learning, personal development and wider experiences, we want pupils to leave Aycliffe as knowledgeable, confident, compassionate and increasingly independent young people who are ready for their next stage and ready to Make a Difference.

If you would like further information about our curriculum, please contact the school office on 01304 202 651.