Southfield Curriculum
THE HEART OF THE CURRICULUM (INTENT)
Story-Centred Curriculum:
We believe that story and narrative are conduits to learning and absorbing knowledge and ideas allowing us to make sense of the world and others around us. Through story Southfielders develop a narrative sense of self and a voice through which they can reflect both abstractly through thought and in writing.
Contextualised Curriculum:
ffers children an enhanced understanding of why they learn and the context for that learning in everyday life and in its broader context. Embedding knowledge and understanding in children’s long term memory is an essential tenet of pedagogical practice at Southfield. Neurologically the brain is stimulated by making connections to previous learning and an understanding of where learning fits in this continuum.
Knowledge Rich:
Our curriculum aims to spark a creative flair for rigorous knowledge through the use of ambitious vocabulary and to gain access to cultural literacy through shared frames of references; learning about artists, mathematicians, scientists and poets all of whom have added to the body of cultural knowledge. From this we believe creativity will flourish.
Personal Growth
Personal Growth
The final foundation stone to our curriculum is the belief in a personal growth model of teaching exemplifying our TRUE values and school motto Ex Corde Vita. We consider the experiences and values children bring to their learning as important and how through their time at Southfield develop as moral, spiritual and academic people ready to be the best they can be and make a difference in the world through the knowledge they have accumulated.
The final foundation stone to our curriculum is the belief in a personal growth model of teaching exemplifying our TRUE values and school motto Ex Corde Vita. We consider the experiences and values children bring to their learning as important and how through their time at Southfield they develop as moral, spiritual and academic people ready to be the best they can be and make a difference in the world through the knowledge and values they have accumulated.
CURRICULUM IN ACTION (IMPLEMENTATION)
Story-Based Curriculum: All subjects across the curriculum are inspired by a story:
English – novels and picture books inspire pupils’ writing, drama, speaking and listening abilities. Great poets and writers of the past and present support children’s cultural literacy ability and allow them to forge meaning through written and oral traditions. Creative Writing – bi-weekly use of multi-layered picture books stimulate children’s thought processes on a range of polemic issues and through their imagination allow children to develop their narrative voice and begin to imprint an understanding of themselves in the world. Maths Through Story – everyday mathematical situations are introduced to children through story to stimulate understanding around abstract mathematical concepts. History, Science, Geography and RE topics are inspired through story as a way of learning and understanding.
Contextualised: Making connections between previous learning and placing learning in context through:
Real Life Maths – using real life scenarios to inspire mathematics learning bi weekly to place mathematics in context. Science – in addition to NC science we promote science in the natural world and place science in context through our wildlife garden and learning about trees, flowers, pond life, weather and our science themed week. History— children make strong linear connections with the past and cumulatively understand how the present has been shaped by the past. Theatre visits, dressing up in character, using historical artefacts and exploring food and tastes from periods allow children to place the past in present context and why we learn about historical periods. Geography –practical use of atlases, compass, orienteering maps and understanding about countries, rivers and mountains of the UK and the world instil an understanding of children’s position in the world.
Knowledge:
Children explore a rigorous knowledge curriculum rich in high quality vocabulary. In all subjects children are nourished on a rich diet of vocabulary both technical and stylistic to be able to discern and express understanding and emotion. Creativity is displayed through rigorous engagement in knowledge in all subjects and children gain high levels of cultural literacy through shared frames of references and understanding of the world through a range of disciplines.
Personal Growth:
Creative Writing – the use of multi-layered picture books allow children to develop a sense of self and build on their knowledge of story. Shared reading opportunities throughout the timetable offer reflective moments to engage critically with issues of character. Themed week curricular opportunities to reflect engagement with TRUE values such as charities week. Specialist drama lessons engage children to explore values, modern language and classics allow children to be inspired culturally and RE days and collective assemblies and multi-layered picture books nourish children spiritually. Head Boy/Girl/House Captains allow children to explore responsibility for the school along with school council opportunities. The Junior Award Scheme for Schools in Yr 3-6, which aims to build confident, young learners and celebrate wider achievements and allow children to demonstrate a range of skill and understanding which empowers them to reflect on how they can be the best people they can through helping others.
A FLOURISHING CURRICULUM IN ACTION (IMPACT)
The curriculum is the beating heart of the school and we measure success through the knowledge and understanding acquired by the children through rigorous and creative lessons.
The impact of the curriculum is more widely measured through statutory assessments, external partnerships and governor visits.
Specific ways include:
Outcomes – we are an outcome driven school. We believe that knowledge accumulated in lessons will be reflected through outstanding engagement in outcomes in children’s books
Pupil Voice with discussions with Headteacher and SLT
Lesson observations
Research active pedagogy
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