Green Park Primary School

Curriculum Statement

Mission Statement

“Happily learning together… preparing for life”

At Green Park School we offer our children a broad and balanced curriculum

that fulfils the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014. Our

aim is to deliver a curriculum that is lively, engaging and centred on high

quality first hand experiences. We have high expectations of our children in

all subjects, work is presented to high standard and informative marking

ensures children know how to improve their work.

Children and adults work in an environment of mutual respect and trust and

this contributes to a very positive learning environment.

Within our curriculum we promote the fundamental British Values. Children

are expected to follow the school rules and the law, respect the rights of

others, treat others fairly, care for themselves and their family and look after

their environment. These values are promoted through everyday life at Green

Park and through many areas of the curriculum in particular our Personal,

Social, Health and Citizenship programme.

The statutory curriculum is complemented by a wide range of extra-curricular

opportunities including a wide range of sports, music, crafts and IT. We also

offer Chess within the curriculum and children in Year 5 and 6 engage in

enterprise projects. Outside expertise and visitors are used to broaden and

enhances children’s learning.

English High quality texts are used as a basis of English teaching to allow for opportunities to read for pleasure and to model and stimulate the children's work. Where appropriate, other curriculum subjects are used to extend writing opportunities. Speaking, listening and drama activities are inbuilt into the various phases of the reading and writing process to enhance and deepen understanding. Evernote files are used to store examples of children's work for the child's own self-evaluation and also to support effective teacher assessment. Daily phonics sessions are delivered to all children in Key Stage 1 following the Letters and Sounds Programme. Lessons are interactive, practical and stimulating. The teaching of Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar form an important part

of the English curriculum. In Key Stage 2 there is a dedicated timeslot to the

discrete teaching of these aspects which are also followed up within the main

body of English lessons to embed a contextual understanding.

Guided reading is timetabled 5 days per week and children are provided with the opportunity to read silently, complete comprehension tasks independently and once per week, engage in a teacher guided focussed activity. Each child has a reading journal where tasks are recorded.

There is a systematic approach to the teaching of spelling across the school.

There is discrete teaching this is then carried through into all subjects.

In the Foundation Stage spelling lists will be sent home when deemed

appropriate by class teacher.

In Key Stage one and two children receive teaching inputs based around their

spelling lists over the course of the 2 weeks. Spelling lists are sent home from

the Spellzoo scheme. Spelling tests take the form of a dictation test.

Handwriting is taught following “Pen Pals for Writing” this is a systematic whole school approach to writing.

Mathematics Mathematics at Green Park is delivered in a variety of ways in order to ensure that our children have the opportunity to use and apply their knowledge and skills in a range of contexts. The delivery and content of our mathematics teaching is derived from and compliant with the standards of the new National Curriculum 2014. The following outlines the various sections of mathematics teaching:

Daily Maths - each morning, the children begin their day with a fifteen minute daily maths session, which allows them to practice concepts and skills that have previously been taught and learned. This time provides the children with an opportunity to refine and enhance their learning, ask questions or complete corrections with a teacher or teaching assistant.

Mathematics Lesson - following on from daily maths, the children receive their day-to-day mathematics lesson whereby new learning is taught. Green Park School follows a whole school long term mathematics plan which is then broken down into medium term and weekly planning. The mathematics session includes opportunities to practice and use new concepts in an engaging way and by using cross-curricular links whenever possible.

Rote learning - At Green Park, we have identified the importance of 'rote learning' in order to fully embed number facts, counting, times tables and a range of other mental recall opportunities. Therefore, five minutes for rote learning is incorporated into the end of each mathematics lesson once the knowledge and understanding of each concept has been taught.  

Foundation Curriculum

At Green Park School we aim to provide the children with a broad, well

balanced, stimulating curriculum which provides first hand experiences and

builds on the children’s prior knowledge. We will encourage all of our pupils

to become independent, confident learners and help prepare them for the

next stage of their lives.

The statutory National Curriculum 2014 programmes of study are covered

across Key Stages 1 & 2. (Except for Years 2 & 6, for this year only.) We use

Sefton’s agreed syllabus for delivering Religious Education and have a

structured personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)

programme. Details of what is covered in each year group can be found on

our Curriculum Maps.

A Themed approach to learning is used wherever possible. The length of time

spent on a theme may vary. Our Medium Term plans show how subjects are

linked or if they need to be delivered as a ‘stand alone.’ Subjects may be

covered in a weekly lesson or in a block e.g Science Day or Design &

Technology Week. We use trips to a variety of places and organise visitors to

school to help create enthusiasm for learning and to provide academic, social

and cultural experiences.

Each Key Stage use specific books for recording work. From Year 2 pupils are

encouraged to also use their individual Google accounts which can be shared

with their peers and staff. Videos and photographs are also used to record

the children’s work. These are often shared with parents and can be found on

our blog, in Evernote and Tapestry.

Technology Using technology is a very important and essential feature of the teaching and learning that takes place at Green Park Primary School. ICT is used across the curriculum with teachers and pupils using it in the way they would with any resource. A variety of online services are used to develop and enhance a strong and positive home school link for work, ideas and communication. These currently include being a Google Apps for Education school and “Mathletics”. We seek out innovative and inspirational ways of delivering the curriculum and assessing learning. We broadcast our school activities locally, nationally and internationally through our blogs and Twitter account. Professional development of staff skills is a paramount feature of developing a successful and positive approach to the use of existing and future technologies. We believe ICT at Green Park will allow the children to become confident users of technology equipping them to become successful and productive

learners. Our current range of technology is purposely varied and includes Chromebooks, iPads and Windows PC’s.

Spanish

At Green Park we foster an early understanding of the Spanish language and enable children to speak with increasing confidence, fluency and accuracy. We aim to teach children to read and write increasingly complex sentences and build an understanding of key grammatical features.

We also foster an appreciation of the culture and traditions of Spain and its writers, artists and musicians.

To achieve these aims we have a progression of vocabulary and concepts which are delivered where appropriate and incorporated into the daily language of children in Nursery to Year 2.

In Key Stage 2 the teaching of Spanish is carried out by a bilingual Spanish teacher, who delivers weekly lessons including speaking, listening, reading, writing and learning about Spain and its traditions. Teachers participate in these lessons and reinforce new vocabulary throughout daily activities where applicable.

All Spanish lessons include games, songs and a highly motivating style of teaching to foster an enthusiasm for learning the language.

PE

All children have two timetabled PE lessons each week, coverage is carefully

mapped out offering a broad and balanced curriculum. The school sports

funding is used to enhance the quality of teaching and learning by working in

partnership with our local High School. Teachers from the PE department of

the local High School work alongside teachers at Green Park for two half days

Deyes High School work alongside our teachers each week supporting with

planning, assessment and the delivery of high quality lessons.

Swimming is a statutory element of the curriculum. All children are assessed

on their ability to swim 25 meters and carry out basic life saving techniques

before leaving Green Park

The children enter a wide range of local and regional competitions which also

provide opportunity to access competition at a national level.

We take pride in ensuring our children understand the importance of exercise

in living a healthy and active life.