Curriculum Policy

Policy details

• Date created - 04/09/2021
• Date reviewed - 27/09/2023
• Date approved - xx/xx/xxxx
• Next review date - 27/09/2025
• Policy owner - Michelle Khambhaita

1. Aims
2. Legislation and Guidance
3. Roles and Responsibilities
4. Organisation and Planning
5. Inclusion
6. Monitoring Arrangements
7. Links with other policies

Section 1 - Aims

Our curriculum aims to:

• Promote the physical and mental well- being of all pupils.

• Reflect the local context.

• Provide children with learning experiences that they would otherwise be unable to access.

• Promote oracy skills and understanding of the English language.

• Develop children’s understanding of the world around them.

• Secure substantial improvement in outcomes for all pupils.

• Demonstrate high aspirations and high expectation

• Provide a broad and balanced education for all pupils

• Promote a positive attitude towards learning

• Promote the learning and development of our youngest children and ensure they are ready for Key Stage 1

Section 2 - Legislation and guidance

This policy reflects the requirements for inclusion and equality as set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2014 and Equality Act 2010, and refers to curriculum-related expectations of governing boards set out in the Department for Education’s Governance Handbook

In addition, this policy acknowledges the requirements for promoting the learning and development of children set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

Section 3 - Roles and responsibilities

The Academy Governing Council:

The AGC will monitor the effectiveness of this policy and hold the headteacher to account for its implementation.

The AGC will also ensure that:

• A robust framework is in place for setting curriculum priorities and aspirational targets
• Enough teaching time is provided for pupils to cover the National Curriculum and other statutory requirements

 Headteacher

• The headteacher is responsible for ensuring that this policy is adhered to, and that:
• All required elements of the curriculum, and those subjects which the school chooses to offer, have aims and objectives which reflect the aims of the school and indicate how the needs of individual pupils will be met
• The amount of time provided for teaching the required elements of the curriculum is adequate and is reviewed by the AGC
• They manage requests to withdraw children from curriculum subjects, where appropriate
• The school’s procedures for assessment meet all legal requirements
• The AGC is fully involved in decision-making processes that relate to the breadth and balance of the curriculum
• The AGC is advised on whole-school targets in order to make informed decisions
• Proper provision is in place for pupils with different abilities and needs, including children with SEN

Other staff

• Other staff will ensure that the school curriculum is implemented in accordance with this policy.

Section 4 - Organisation and planning

Co-op Academy Penny Oaks has developed a thematic curriculum which is based on termly cross curricular topics for all year groups. The school recognises the importance of each subject as a discipline and aims to provide pupils with subject specific vocabulary and knowledge which will allow them to build links and enhance their learning from other subjects. The combination of topics planned over a year will teach the statutory programmes of study for the National Curriculum. The Curriculum places an emphasis on the development of a range of skills which pupils will need for future learning, whilst recognising the value of knowledge in helping children to apply these skills and developing their understanding of the world around them.

The Curriculum is underpinned by the need to promote mental and physical well-being and consequently it is expected that children will be encouraged to be active when-ever possible. PE has a high priority within the curriculum and children have the opportunity to take part in physical activity before school, at lunchtime and after school

The curriculum reflects the local context and it is expected that every topic will include one or more visits within the local Community. The expectation is that children will walk to visit areas of interest within the locality. The Curriculum aims to expose children to as wide a range of experiences as possible and visits beyond the local area are also a key feature

See our EYFS policy for information on how our early year’s curriculum is delivered.

Section 5 - Inclusion

Teachers set high expectations for all pupils. They will use appropriate assessment to set ambitious targets and plan challenging work for all groups, including:

• More able pupils
• Pupils with low prior attainment
• Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Pupils with SEN.
• Pupils with English as an additional language (EAL)

Teachers will plan lessons so that pupils with SEN and/or disabilities can study every National Curriculum subject, wherever possible, and ensure that there are no barriers to every pupil achieving.

Teachers will also take account of the needs of pupils whose first language is not English. Lessons will be planned so that teaching opportunities help pupils to develop their English, and to support pupils to take part in all subjects.

Further information can be found in our statement of equality information and objectives, and in our SEN policy and information report.

 Section 6 - Monitoring arrangements

Governors monitor coverage of National Curriculum subjects and compliance with other statutory requirements through:

• School visits,
• Reports from subject leaders
• Headteacher’s report.

School leaders monitor coverage of National Curriculum subjects and compliance with other statutory requirements through:

• Learning walks
• Book scrutinies
• Pupil voice
• Lesson observations.

This policy will be reviewed every two years by the headteacher. At every review, the policy will be shared with the full governing board.

Section 7 - Links with other policies

This policy links to the following policies and procedures:

• EYFS policy
• SEN policy