Lairg Primary School Curriculum Rationale - · PDF fileOur vision At Lairg Primary School we...

Lairg Primary School

Curriculum Rationale

Our vision At Lairg Primary School we strive to provide a secure, happy, welcoming environment where everyone is included and respected as individuals. We aspire to develop an exciting, creative, challenging curriculum which motivates and enthuses children, providing them with life skills in order to reach their full potential. Our aim is to foster independence whilst also teaching children the importance of how to integrate into the local and wider global community.

Our Aims Lairg

•To remember everyone is important. •To provide a wide range of experiences and opportunities so that we can develop skills to help us look after ourselves and others in the future. •To make sure we keep the Golden Rules and show respect to everyone at Lairg Primary School. •To encourage pupils to work confidently by ourselves and with others . •To set ourselves targets to improve and always strive to do better . •To keep in contact with parents and make sure parents know how we are doing. •To keep good links with other schools and groups in the community.

Designing our curriculum plan- a rationale “We aspire to develop an exciting, creative, challenging curriculum which motivates and enthuses children, providing them with life skills in order to reach their full potential.”

Breadth

Coherence

Progression

Challenge

Enjoyment

Personalisation & Choice

Relevance

Depth

Four Capacities

CfE

Principles for our curriculum design

GIRFEC

Four Contexts for Learning

Community

Links

Enrichment activities eg Visits and Visitors

Enterprise School

Ethos

Health &

Wellbeing

Interdisciplinary Learning

Self Evaluation

Personal

Achievements,

PLPs

AiFl

Languages &

Literacy

Mathematics

& Numeracy

Pupil Voice &

Responsibility

Learning for Sustainability

Outdoor Education

Creativity

Global

Awareness

Citizenship

Four Capacities

CfE GIRFEC

Key elements of our Curriculum Rationale

Four Contexts for Learning

EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Performance opportunities- Lairg music festival, Rotary Club Quiz, Sports

tournaments and events eg basketball, cross country, dance, Highland Games,

Mini Games for P1-3

Achievement awards- Star of the Week(linked to Four Capacities), Best Work,

House Point systems, Junior Road Safety Officers, Golden Time

Celebrating personal achievements with the wider community in achievement

assemblies and Achievement board

PLP input

Risk taking, working collaboratively, promoting a positive response towards

personal well-being –e.g. enterprise activities, “Run the Mile”

Assemblies- child led assemblies

P7 trip – eg personal challenge Go- Karting, Sailing

Learning with multi-age groups-parent led clubs, curricular afternoons

School as a signpost for opportunities in the community- e.g. working as part of

“Reading Between the Lines” with Lairg Learning Centre

Confident

Individuals

At Lairg Primary School we provide a curriculum which fully embraces the

four capacities for learning which are at the heart of Curriculum for

Excellence

EXAMPLES OF OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTRIBUTE

TO THE ETHOS AND LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

This includes opportunities to participate responsibly in

decision-making, to contribute as leaders and role models,

offering support and service to others and playing an active

part in putting the values of the school community into

practice.

Playground l Buddies/leadership training

Class monitor roles

Eco Committee

Pupil Council representatives

Participation in Pupil Focus Groups [ contributing to

decision making]

JRSO representatives – contributions to assemblies

Gardening Club – maintaining our school grounds

Charity work- Comic Relief/Sport Relief, Children in

Need etc

House Captains, Vice Captains – contributions to

assemblies

EXAMPLES OF PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHERS

WHICH SUPPORTS PUPILS’ LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENTS

We provide regular opportunities for our local community to work with us and for

our pupils to work with the local community. These include:

Our local community work with us:

• Working with Eden Court staff to provide additional opportunities for drama.

• Working with Countryside Ranger and parental volunteers to develop our outside

learning environment.

• Working with the Forestry Commission

• Working with local Learning Centre to develop pupils’ awareness of the history of

their local area eg Sutherland, World War 1 “Reading between the lines” project.

• Working with local businesses who support school events

• Highlife Highland Officer/ Volunteers

Our work with the local community:

• Working with other local primary schools.

• Working with the staff at the local High School.

• Working to support our local community - organizing tea parties, fund raisers

such as “Fun Day”, coffee mornings, charitable giving ,discos, contributing to local

gala, Community Christmas concert

• Working with Lairg Learning Centre

• Providing opportunities for the community to visit school eg Open Afternoons,

Christmas Play, Final Assembly of the year

• Working with the local Library – supporting Summer Reading Projects

• Working with local faith groups eg Lairg Christian Fellowship Summer Club and

Saturday Clubs

• Crofting connections

Effective

Contributors

Responsible

Citizens

SUBJECTS

Whole school progressions/

SALs for:

• Literacy Coverage

• Numeracy Coverage

• Health and Wellbeing

• Other Curricular Areas

IDL CROSS CURRICULAR TOPICS

• Planned on a rolling programme for

each class

• E’s and O’s coverage mapped out

• Curricular subject links made where

appropriate

• SALs used to bundle ‘Es & Os into

chunks of learning

WHOLE SCHOOL IDL PROJECTS

• Enterprise/ECO/Global/Learning for

Sustainability

• Health and Wellbeing focus

Successful

Learners

SUBJECTS

Literacy & English Literacy - Talking and Listening • Through implementation of Highland Council Language Progression- Talking and Listening , taking into consideration Significant

Aspects of Learning [CfE Experiences and Outcomes provide core framework] • Resources such as board games, listening tapes, computer games support learning • Pupils from P4 – 7 are required to prepare and deliver a presentation on a regular basis, including projects of their own choosing

and progressing to talks linked to key IDL topics • There is daily opportunities for pupils to discuss aspects of learning through paired/group/class activities, discussions • Opportunities for pupils to share news, take part in ‘Show and Tell sessions

Literacy & English

Literacy - Reading • Through implementation of an agreed Reading Progression taking into account Significant Aspects of Learning

[CfE Experiences and Outcomes provide core framework] • The learning and teaching of Reading will be planned using Highland Literacy toolkit • Key resources :- Early Level - Oxford Reading Tree, Jolly Phonics First Level – Oxford Reading Tree,Jolly Phonics, Ginn Second Level – Ginn, Kingscourt, Literacy Links, ‘selection of appropriate novels ASN - Materials selected by SfL teacher/Class Teacher eg Code Cracker, Toe by Toe, Wellington Square, Fuzz Buzz, Speedy Readers(Literacy Toolkit) IT program when implemented by Highland Council • Pupils at all levels also have access to a broad range of novels [ fiction and non-fiction] comics, newspapers,

manuals, magazines, etc • They also make use of the school’s library to select books for class and home reading. • Unsupported pieces of work which show readers’ understanding of text are used for moderation and

assessment and for reflection with the teacher, peer or parent. These support pupils and teachers in identifying clear next steps / targets for future learning.

• Children will take part in AfE testing of reading in line with Highland Council policy Phonics • Progression of phonics through the Jolly Phonics scheme (systematic phonics approach). This should continue

into P4-7 to meet individual needs.

Literacy & English

Literacy - Writing • Through implementation of an agreed Writing progression with consideration given to Significant Aspects of Learning,

[CfE Experiences and Outcomes provide core framework] • Writing will be taught using Big Writing approach [ VCOP and WOW words etc] • Additional support materials are used from Highland Literacy (Writer’s Craft materials) • Unsupported pieces of writing [ variety of genre] are used for moderation and assessment and for self reflection with

the teacher/peer. These support pupils and teachers in identifying clear next steps / targets for future learning. This writing will be produced in Big Writing sessions.

• Writing activities are often linked to IDL activities and cover a range of genres.

Spelling • The beginnings of spellings will be taught through our phonics programme [ Jolly Phonics] using the spelling lists

linked to the scheme • Nelson Spelling Programme is used for at later stages of learning to spell • Additional materials to support spelling from Highland Literacy spelling strategy guidelines- particularly common

words

Grammar • The beginnings of grammar will be taught through Jolly Grammar • Nelson Grammar Programme is used for at later stages of learning to Grammar. • Additional materials to support grammar is used from Highland Literacy/Big Writing guidelines

Handwriting • Children will begin to learn the mechanics of writing through use of the Jolly Phonics programme, learning and

practising letter shapes. Highland Literacy provides further support and guidance. • Handwriting activities will usually occur daily in Nursery/P1-3 through fine and gross motor control activities eg

painting, cutting as well as more formal letter practice for P1-3

Mathematics

• Key elements of Numeracy work are taught through the implementation of the Highland Numeracy Progression, taking into account Significant Aspects of Learning [CfE Experiences and Outcomes provide core framework]

• Other aspects of Mathematics eg Measurement, Time, Data Handling are taught using additional progressions produced by Highland Council.

• Mathematics activities are often linked to IDL activities and cover a range of aspects of learning eg data handling • Mathematics activities also include ‘real life’ problems to support the children in making links to learning and skills

needed for life long learning. • Maths lessons are active and should not be based on using worksheets. Carefully selected materials are used to

support learning including Scottish Heinemann, Tee-Jay and Education City IT programmes when appropriate for a learner or group of learners.

• We encourage pupils to use their Mathematical skills in everyday activities in school eg School meals monitor roles, house points totals for Celebration Assembly

• Unsupported pieces of work which show pupils’ progress in Numeracy and Maths are used for moderation and assessment and for reflection with the teacher, peer or parent. These support pupils and teachers in identifying clear next steps / targets for future learning.

• We use AfE Mathematics testing in line with Highland Council policy to track the progress of pupils

Health & Well Being

• We use Highland Council‘s progressions for all aspects of Health and Well Being, taking into consideration Significant Aspects of Learning [CfE Experiences and Outcomes provide core framework].

• We follow Highland P.E programme, ensuring that class teachers plan and deliver learning for the two hours of physical activity for pupils each week. In P4-7 lessons also follow key aspects of teaching and coaching to support pupils taking part in East Sutherland Schools Sport Association calendar of tournaments and events.

• Additional opportunities for personal achievement are offered through after-school competitions e.g. football, bench ball, basket ball, dancing

• In addition, pupils in P1-7 access swimming lessons for six weeks each academic session [ Highlife Highland supporting delivery].

• Through a local volunteer arranged by Highlife Highland we receive additional coaching support for a range of sporting activities.

• A local Golf Club offer free after school golfing lessons in the Summer term each year. • We plan a charity day every two years linked to Sport’s Relief – this involves bringing in specialist coaches for children

to experience a wider range of sports.

• Puberty/Sex Education lessons are organised with the School Nurse. • Classes run regular Circle Time sessions for children to share any issues they have. • Pupils also develop skills in emotional literacy through the Resilient Kids programme. • School operates a Playground Buddy system to support pupils in break time sessions. • A ‘Worry Box’ is situated in an open area of school so that children can write any concerns they have – worries are

followed up by class teachers/Head Teacher

Literacy – Modern Languages • Through implementation of the Highland MLPS programme [ CfE Experiences and Outcomes at Second Level provide core framework].

Social Studies • Through implementation a rolling programme of key IDL themes we ensure progression and coverage of Significant Aspects of Learning and CfE Experiences and Outcomes [ Es and Os] at Early, First and Second Level. Where Es and Os cannot be delivered through a linked topic they will be taught within stand-alone lessons.

• Our links with the local Countryside Ranger, Crofting Connections and Eco Projects will also provide quality contexts for learning in this area. Science • Through implementation of the Highland Science Programme [ through both discrete subject sessions and IDL lessons] we ensure progression

and coverage of Significant Aspects of Learning and CfE Experiences and Outcomes [ Es and Os] at Early, First and Second Level.

Religious and Moral Education • Through implementation of Highland Council Religious and Moral Education programme and guidelines. • In addition to the above, pupils will have opportunities for religious worship in school assemblies during the school session. The local Ministers

in the area support the school during these assemblies to support learning and teaching of Christian themes. • We ensure, through IDL themes, that information about other World Religions are shared with the children.

Technology ICT Technological Developments Food technology

E-Safety

• Through implementation of the school’s Technology progressions we ensure progression and coverage of Significant Aspects of Learning and

CfE Experiences and Outcomes [ Es and Os] at Early, First and Second Level. Wherever possible, learning in all aspects of Technology is contextualized.

• Children have regular opportunities to learn cookery and baking skills. These opportunities are also often linked to charity events or annual celebrations such as Mother’s Day

• There are opportunities to learn about planting and growing through both curriculum opportunities and through the school’s Gardening Club. • Through use of the CEOP materials - http://ceop.police.uk/

Expressive Arts Art and design Music Dance , Drama and Role Play

• Through implementation of the school’s Expressive Arts progressions we ensure progression and coverage of Significant Asp ects of Learning

and CfE Experiences and Outcomes [ Es and Os] at Early, First and Second Level. Wherever possible, learning in all aspects of Expressive Arts is contextualized.

• All children take part in an annual Christmas production which involves singing, dancing and acting • Additional learning opportunities will also be provided by Feis and Kodaly instructors. • School also tries to maximise as many creative learning opportunities as possible organised by such groups as Highlife Highland, Eden Court eg

FizzPop Fairies session, Gaelic Singing, BLAS festival, Ullapool Dance festival

The following curricular areas are delivered through IDL topics or stand-alone lessons [where no natural links exist]. Wherever possible, staff will plan contextualized opportunities for Numeracy, Literacy and Health and Well-Being within these IDL topics. The cross cutting themes of Learning for Sustainability, [ including citizenship [ global etc], outdoor learning, enterprise and creativity education will be woven into themes, as and when appropriate.

http://ceop.police.uk/







Interdisciplinary learning

• Outwith discrete subject sessions IDL is used throughout school to support contextual learning opportunities.

• Use of the school’s agreed progressions ensures that progress is made from Early level onwards for pupils as they move through school from Nursery to P7. We track coverage of Es and Os to ensure a balanced programme of learning for our pupils.

• A rolling programme of themes has been developed and includes opportunities for pupils to lead their own learning through both pre- planned themes and also topics which are individually led at key times during the programme.

• It is recognised, however, that certain topics/themes may come to light that staff/pupils/parents were not aware of at the time of developing the rolling programme. It is prudent to allow for a certain amount of flexibility within the programme of work to ensure learning opportunities are not missed because of planning so far ahead.

AUTUMN TERM WINTER TERM SPRING TERM SUMMER TERM

YEAR 1 Topic will be guided by pupil

interest – this may be a short or

longer term project. Es/Os will be

tracked and monitored through a

planning overview by Nursery

staff

Topic will be guided by pupil





staff

Christmas Production-

Alternative Play

Creative Christmas






staff






staff

YEAR 2 Topic will be guided by pupil





staff






staff

The Spirit of Christmas

Christmas Traditions and

Customs in UK






staff






staff

IDL CROSS CURRICULAR TOPICS - NURSERY


YEAR 1 Where the Wild Things Are

Life Processes, Humans and

Animals

Science, Technologies

Gunn’s Wood Project x 6

mornings

Learning for Sustainability,

Science, Social Studies

Toys

Changes to our ways of life

Social Studies, Expressive Arts,

Technologies


Christmas Story

RME, Expressive Arts, Learning for

Sustainability

A Night at the Movies

Expressive Arts, Literacy

High 5

H & WB, Health Promoting Schools,

Expressive Arts, Technologies

Commonwealth Games

H & WB, Social Studies

YEAR 2 This is Me!

Science, Learning for

Sustainability, Social Studies,

H & WB, Health Promoting

Schools

Neighbourhood Watch

Where we live

Social Studies, Technologies,

Expressive Arts, Mathematics

Bright Sparks!

Light, Festivals of Light, Electricity

Science, Technologies, RME

Come and Join

the Celebration

Creative Christmas

Expressive Arts, Learning for

Sustainability

The Famous Five

Famous People, where they came from

and Events – Scottish famous people, UK

famous people, famous people from

overseas

Social Studies, Learning for

Sustainability

How does your Garden Grow?

Plants, Living things in their Environment

Science, Technologies, Social Studies,


Pupil Choice Project

YEAR 3 Fairies, Frogs and Witches…oh

my!

Exploring Stories through the

Arts

Literacy, Expressive Arts, H & WB

The Circus

Expressive Arts, Learning for

Sustainability, H & WB

Come and Join

the Celebration

Creative Christmas

Expressive Arts, RME, Literacy

Whatever the Weather

Materials


Healthy Heroes

Growth, Health and Fitness

Science, Technologies,

Health and Wellbeing

Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside!

Creatures, holidays, travel, water, forces,

pirates

Social Studies, Technologies, Science,

Learning for Sustainability, Expressive

Arts

Pupil Choice Project

IDL CROSS CURRICULAR TOPICS P1-3


YEAR 1 Order, Order!

Rights and Responsibilities, Learning for

Sustainability, RME

Gunn’s Wood Project- Forest Schools (4

mornings )

Science, Learning for Sustainability

Music, Lights, Action!

Sound and Light, Electricity, Forces

Science , Technology

Christmas Production- Alternative Play

Creative Christmas

Expressive Arts, RME

Magic Castle

Social Studies, Literacy, Technology

World War I Project with Lairg Learning

Centre

Social Studies, Learning for Sustainability

High 5

H & WB, Health Promoting Schools,

Expressive Arts, Technologies

Commonwealth Games

H & WB, Social Studies

Pupil Personal

Research Project

YEAR 2 A Right Royal Battle!

Periods, Events and Changes in History

Social Studies

(Including 1 x week Scottish Independence

vote)


May the Force be With You!

Forces of Nature



Christmas Traditions and Customs in

UK/Europe

Social Studies, RME, Expressive Arts

Out of the Box

Social Enterprise Education, Health Promoting

Schools

Health and Wellbeing, Science, Technologies

Kidnapped

Social Studies, Science, Mathematics,


Pupil Personal

Research Project

YEAR 3 Spaced Out!

Earth and the Solar System


Under Attack!

Invaders and Settlers

Social Studies

Come and Join the Celebration

Creative Christmas

Expressive Arts

That’s Life

Life and Living Things in the differing

environments/Rainforest

Science, Technology, Social Studies

It’s All Greek/Egyptian/Roman to Me!

Ancient Civilizations

Social Studies

Pupil Personal

Research Project

YEAR 4 Titanic

Social Studies, Technologies, Expressive Arts

Abracadabra!

Material Behaviour


Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Literacy, Technologies, Expressive Arts


Christmas Traditions and Further Customs

from around the world

Three Giant Steps…

Scotland, European country and wider world

choice Social Studies, Expressive Arts,

Languages

eg Scotland/France/China or Kenya

comparison

The Very Important Bear

Creating films

Expressive Arts, Literacy, Learning for

Sustainability

Pupil Personal

Research Project

IDL CROSS CURRICULAR TOPICS P4-7


Education for

Citizenship

Sustainable

Development

Education

International

Education Outdoor

Learning

School links with other schools

Rights Respecting Schools

Scotland/ Highland Culture,

Homecoming 2014

Eco Schools

Community Links

Olympic & Commonwealth Games

Fairtrade

Health Promoting Schools

John Muir Award Charity work

Pupil Voice

Forest Schools Social Enterprise in

Education

Through delivery of our curriculum pupils will develop a range of skills. Pupils will constantly reflect on

the development of their skills as part of their on-going reflection about learning.

Skills for Life, Learning and Work

• We continue to develop the use of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) at the heart of our planning:-

• Remembering – . Analysing -

• Understanding -

. Evaluating -

. Creating -

• Applying -

Developing skills for life

Recognising

Recalling Retrieving

Interpreting

Exemplifying

Classifying

Summarising

Inferring

Comparing

Explaining

Synthesising

Executing

Implementing

Differentiating

Organising

Attributing

Distinguishing

Generating

Planning

Producing

Reorganising

Critical

thinking

Checking

Critiquing

Examples of providing further learning opportunities

and celebrating wider achievements

Sports Pathways School/ESSSA/ Highland/National competitions School/fundraising activities Extra-curricular clubs Local Sports Clubs Volunteer sports activities

Dance/Performance pathways School activities eg Christmas Performance Extra-curricular Dancing Club Local /national awards Visits from Eden Court Drama coaches Visits from performers eg BLAS, Links with

Highlife Highland Creative Learning opportunities eg FizzPop Fairies

Outdoor learning Pathways Forestry Commission projects Use of local environment – school grounds, Gunn’s

Wood, Ferry Croft Centre Regular contact with Countryside Ranger - links to

IDL projects Residential opportunity

Music Pathways Opportunities for learning Chanter /Pipes, String

Instruments Access to Kodaly provision – P1-3 Access to Feis provision – P4-7 Participation in Christmas Performance

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