Curriculum
In our recent school inspection, September 2019, Ofsted reported that:
"The headteacher and senior leaders have improved the quality of the education since the previous inspection. They ensure that their well-designed curriculum is implemented by teachers and teaching assistants with purpose and enthusiasm."
"Pupils are creative." "Pupils describe school as 'fun' or 'great'."
"Pupils relish their termly educational trips. They told us that they like to participate in residential learning and adventure activities."
Our curriculum is underpinned by the Come and See Religious Education Programme and National Curriculum (2014), we enhance this with planned opportunities that make up the wider school curriculum. All of our classes from Y1 to Y6 teach the 2014 National Curriculum. We have carefully planned our curriculum so that it fulfils our school Mission, Vision and Values.
Our curriculum aims to ensure that children are learning for life (i.e. they learn things that they remember for the life and are able to keep learning for the whole of their lives). We aim to ensure that learning develops long term memorable knowledge and skills through meaningful and exciting contexts. Learners are encouraged to make links in learning because we know that long term, deeper knowledge grows when links are made between concepts which are built upon prior knowledge, children’s interests and are applied in different contexts.
Children rapidly begin to read in our Reception class by following a phonics programme called 'Letters and Sounds' which is taught systematically and daily. The ‘Letters and Sounds’ programme is continued into Key Stage 1. All children engage in a weekly guided reading sessions where they develop their reading and comprehension skills in addition to developing a command of all aspects of the English language. We use a variety of reading schemes which are book banded. Children are regularly assessed to ensure that they are reading within the correct book band.
At St Basil’s, the children benefit from weekly French lessons delivered by a specialist teacher. Music projects take place across the school. In Years 3, 4 and 5 pupils have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and take part in an orchestra. In addition, pupils have the opportunity to work with specialist art, dance and PE specialist teachers. In Years 3 to 6 pupils have the opportunity to attend residential trips. Where ever possible we enrich the curriculum with visits and visitors, many of which can be found on our news page.
Throughout the curriculum, we integrate learning from both the arts and humanities. A strong emphasis is placed upon the application of learning from across the child led curriculum. Each half term planning is sent to parents so that they can support their child’s learning.
Please find a copy of our curriculum statement which explains our curriculum in greater depth.