Curriculum
Curriculum Intent
At Wistaston Academy we believe that all children have the right to:
- A broad and balanced education that meets their individual needs and gives them the skills, knowledge and understanding to prepare them for their future lives.
- A curriculum that offers the opportunity for academic success, creativity and problem solving, reliability, responsibility and resilience, as well as physical development, well-being and mental health. These are the key elements that support their development and promotes a positive attitude to learning.
- A curriculum that celebrates the diversity and utilises the skills, knowledge and cultural wealth of the community while supporting the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Curriculum Implementation
At Wistaston Academy we offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced and which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points, as they progress through each Key Stage. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the pupils in our school. The aim of our curriculum is for pupils to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education and their future lives. It is important that the curriculum considers the development of the whole child, not only concentrating on academic success.
The curriculum is underpinned by the school’s Core Values (Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Justice, Integrity and Compassion) and these are taught on their own and through other areas of the curriculum, including assemblies, in addition to British Values. 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.
In KS1 the National Curriculum is delivered using an integrated topic approach and assessed against this as a basis to ensure coverage and progression throughout the Key Stage. The more able are challenged further in their learning and children who find aspects more difficult are appropriately supported so that they too are enabled to experience success.
The English curriculum in EYFS and KS1 is taught through Read, Write Inc (phonics programme). From Year 2 upwards, Talk for Writing (which develops children’s writing skills through imitation, innovation and independence) is followed. Alongside this, children experience lessons on grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting.
Daily Supported Reading in EYFS and KS1 through RWI forms the basis of our teaching of reading, in addition to hot-listing of targeted children and a reading book programme linked to a specific topic. Once children have completed the RWI programme, they move onto the Accelerated Reader Programme and participate in half-hour daily Guided Reading sessions. Volunteers from the local community regularly listen to our children read in Key Stage 2. In all classes, Reading for Pleasure takes place daily just before home-time.
The mathematics curriculum is currently delivered using the White Rose Scheme of Work. Daily maths lessons include arithmetic and counting at the start of each lesson before a recap of their previous learning. The use of technological programmes supports teaching and learning and provides opportunities for children to extend this at home.
Specialist teachers and instructors support Music, Art and Physical Education. All subject leaders are given training and opportunity to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school. Theme weeks, whole school activities and opportunities within and outside school all enrich and develop the children’s learning. After school clubs and events extend these opportunities further. Additional whole school programmes and approaches support quality teaching and learning and the school is well resourced in terms of learning materials, books, staffing and technology.
Children with special educational needs benefit from support through private agencies, including an Educational Psychologist and a Speech and Language Therapist. In addition, we have introduced a Development Hub which accommodates children with specific educational needs who require a more bespoke curriculum.
The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an opportunity for active learning for all our pupils. The school grounds have been developed so they can enrich different curriculum areas, particularly Science and Outdoor Learning. The children benefit from the use of an all-weather pitch, changing facilities, extensive grounds, play equipment and Solardome.
Pupils have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through school-based and external exhibitions, performances, competitions and events involving other schools. Developing their independence and motivation as learners and their sense of responsibility is at the heart of what we do!
Curriculum Impact
From their different starting points, all children will make good progress academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Knowledge, understanding and skills will be secured and embedded so that children attain highly and are fully prepared for secondary school. They will have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and will listen respectfully and with tolerance to the views of others. They will take pride in all that they do, always striving to do their best. They will demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge. They will develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities. They will be kind, respectful and honest, demonstrate inclusive attitudes and have a sense of their role in our wider society.
