Curriculum Statement

Governing bodies are required to produce a curriculum statement annually. This replaces the requirement under the School Framework and Standards Act 1998 for a curriculum plan.  Please note we are currently reviewing and redesigning our curriculum and will update this section as we progress.

At West Street this statement sets out the principles underpinning the curriculum and reflects the school’s commitment to developing all aspects of their pupils’ lives.

Curriculum Statement

At West Street Primary School we aim for our children to:

• Develop inquisitive minds, a spirit of curiosity and a passion for learning
• Be equipped with the skills to fully participate in an ever changing world
• Be respectful and productive members of the community
• Have high expectations and self belief to enable them to fulfil their potential
• Persevere and learn from their mistakes
• Develop an understanding and respect for the world around them
• Have the courage and confidence to take calculated risks
• Know about keeping healthy and safe
• This is the philosophy of how we want to work and learn. These aims underpin all of the learning that takes place in our school. The five outcomes of Every Child Matters, Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoying and Achieving, Economic Well Being and Making a Contribution are reflected in our policies and procedures.

We also have a Teaching and Learning Policy which over-arches all of our curriculum policies.

We are in the process of developing a carefully designed and balanced curriculum offer to provide pupils with a global curriculum that we feel is relevant for the 21st Century. We believe that global learning helps pupils make sense of the increasingly complex and rapidly changing world in which they live. Our curriculum will enable pupils to think critically about world issues and to develop an awareness of the impact our own actions can have on others. It will also address the social disadvantage and barriers to learning that many of our pupils face, raise aspirations, support mental health and well being, educate on personal safety, promote equality, accountability and prepare pupils for life in today’s society and how to contribute positively.

There are seven themes that children across all year groups will be exposed to:

• Social justice and equity
• Identity and diversity
• Globalisation and interdependence
• Sustainable development
• Peace and conflict
• Human rights
• Power and governance

The subject content follows the national curriculum, the themes above and also encompasses the wider aspects of learning. We have a strong focus on social and emotional and personal development; aspects which underpin the ability to learn. Within our new curriculum we aim to drive learning through high quality texts taken from the Power of Reading, a programme we use to teach writing and aspects of reading.

Focus is placed upon the core subjects and basic skills in the EYFS and KS1 whilst greater breadth is in place across KS2.

The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils and their understanding of the core values of our society are woven through the curriculum.