Westwood Farm Schools
Curriculum statement
Intent
At Westwood Farm Schools, we have designed our curriculum with pupils’ learning at the centre. We recognise that a curriculum has to be broad, balanced and offer pupils opportunities to grow as individuals as well as learners.
A vision of our curriculum is summed up by Martin Robinson in Trivium 21c:
KNOW, EXPLORE COMMUNICATE.
Through a combination of learning techniques, we aim to ensure pupils enjoy learning and feel prepared for life after school. We also intend to offer our pupils new and exciting experiences through extra-curricular activities that are designed to build resilience, confidence and self-esteem.
We recognise that pupils should be challenged in their schooling; learning from mistakes and failures and celebrating successes. We intend for our curriculum to be empowering, enabling pupils to develop their interpersonal skills, creativity and independence.
Big ideas
Humankind
Understanding what it means to be human and how human behaviour has shaped the world.Processes
Understanding the many dynamic and physical processes that shape the world.Creativity
Understanding the creative process and how everyday and exceptional creativity can shape the world.Investigation
Understanding the importance of investigation and how this has led to significant change in the world.Materials
Understanding the properties of all matter, living and non-living.Nature
Understanding the complexities of the plant and animal species that inhabit the world.Place and space
Understanding the visual, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of places around the world.Comparison
Understanding how and why things are the same or different.Significance
Understanding why significant people, places, events and inventions matter and how they have shaped the world.Change
Understanding why and how things have changed over time.Mission statement
Working Together, Learning Together, Growing Together
General principlesOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • Understand the purpose and value of their learning, and see its clear links and relevance to the past, present and future aspects of learning, within a coherent and progressive framework |
| • Develop a rich and deep subject knowledge and new skills, through a variety of interesting contexts |
| • Experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning and to demonstrate their creativity |
| • Explore the breadth and depth of the national curriculum |
SMSC/FBVOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • Moral - Recognise right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views |
| • Social - Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict |
| • Cultural - Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity |
| • Spiritual - Explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences |
| • Tolerance and respect - To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others |
| • Democracy - Be part of a system where everyone plays an equal part |
| • Individual liberty - Be free to express views or ideas |
| • Rule of law - Learn that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable for their actions and behaviour |
Well-beingOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • Develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities, and recognise that people are good at different things |
| • Learn how to respect themselves and others, and build respectful relationships |
| • Learn in a peaceful and supportive environment, and follow their own interests |
| • Reflect and think mindfully about their learning |
Pupil voiceOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • Express their opinions on a range of different topics and issues, by taking part in age-appropriate discussions |
| • Contribute to planning their own learning, and make choices about things that are important to them, including likes and dislikes |
| • Make a positive contribution to the school and local community, exploring ways of becoming an active citizen |
PedagogyOur curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that: |
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| • Excites, promotes and sustains children's interests, and fosters their natural curiosity |
| • Enables children to reflect on, and evaluate their learning |
| • Promotes problem solving, creativity, innovation and communication |
EnrichmentWe will enrich our curriculum by: |
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| • Using quality resources in and out of the classroom |
| • Providing on and off-site subject or topic related activities, and offering opportunities for children to learn outdoors (when appropriate) |
| • Holding specialist curriculum days or weeks, and developing partnerships with external providers to extend children's opportunities for learning |
| • Welcoming parents and carers to take part in children's learning and experiences |
| • Entitlement; We have agreed there should be at least two, paid educational visits per year, as well as various other, less costly trips throughout the year |
| • Memorable experiences should be something to stimulate the children’s thinking connected to the particular topic – for example, this may be a trip to start the topic, a visitor, an imaginary event or an exciting story |