Curriculum
Curriculum Intent
‘Teachers who love to teach… children who love to learn’
At West Byfleet Infant school, 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. Our curriculum is knowledge focused and we want children to 'know more and remember more'. We encourage children to develop their knowledge and interests by exploring and explaining their understanding to develop successful discussion and effective communication.
We have created a positive learning environment whereby children are confident and intrinsically motivated to take risks and challenge themselves. Through a combination of learning approaches, we aim to ensure pupils enjoy learning and feel prepared for life after school. We encourage community links and celebrate diversity within our school community. We offer a wide variety of activities and experiences to build resilience, confidence and self-esteem.
We recognise that pupils should be challenged in their schooling; learning from mistakes, feeling inspired to develop ideas and ask questions and celebrate successes.
Curriculum Implementation
Our carefully crafted curriculum balances the National expectations and an all encompassing range of experiences allowing our children to fulfil their potential and celebrate achievements promoting success in all aspects. Clear strategic planning allows the curriculum to be dynamic and adapt to the context of the school and children’s needs by using a reflective plan-do-review cycle of improvement. Age related expectations combine the acquisition of knowledge and development of skills to create a purposeful and exciting learning journey for every child. The curriculum has high expectations to combine transferable skills, demonstrate a breadth of vocabulary and develop strong cross curricular links. Inviting classroom environments stimulate and engage quality thinking and reasoning. Explicit daily, weekly and medium term planning is responsive to children’s needs; incorporating holistic approaches to teaching and learning.
You can see the National Curriculum on the Dfe website by clicking here. You can always speak to your child's class teacher for more information on the Curriculum.
Curriculum Impact
Our senior leadership, middle leadership and core subject leadership team carefully review learning, evaluate pupil voice, provide individual feedback to move practice forward, celebrate positives and highlight areas of development. Our whole school team strengthen our vision as we work together to reflect upon our curriculum and share outcomes driving forward next steps. We don’t confuse coverage with progress when assessing as learning is measured through careful analysis of the application of skills across the curriculum and the retention of knowledge through focused projects over time - we aim for children to 'know more and remember more' throughout their learning journey. Class teachers facilitate the development of characteristics of an effective learner in order for pupils to be independent, resilient and self-motivated to always improve and have high aspirations. As a diverse and multi-cultural school community, we believe our children possess unique talents, skills and qualities. As such, they have the right to succeed, the right to recognise their own greatness and the right to develop who they are in a respectful and nurturing environment.
Cornerstones Curriculum
We use Cornerstones to support the planning and resourcing of our curriculum. Cornerstones four-stage pedagogy is built on academic research and years of practical teaching experience. It has four key elements to it: thus four - (corner), ‘stones’. Should you wish to find out more about our curriculum please contact Sam Dudley - office@wbis.org.uk.
Engage- 'Let's think!' This is to ‘hook’ learners in with a memorable experience. Sets the scene and provides the context for learning. Asks questions to find out children's interests. |
Develop- 'Let's learn!' This section is focused on teaching facts and information for deeper understanding and knowledge. Demonstrate new skills and allow time for consolidation. Provide creative opportunities for making and doing. |
Innovate- 'Let's explore!' This area provides imaginative scenarios that encourage creative thinking. Enables children to apply previously learned skills. Encourages enterprise and independent thinking. |
Express- Let's show how we know!' This section provides environments for reflective talk. Creates opportunities for shared evaluation. Celebrates and share children's success. Identifies next steps for learning. |
Whole School Curriculum Overview Map
Curriculum Blocks
Please see below for our Medium Term plans for Autumn term. These will give you greater detail of how our curriculum is delivered.