Torrisholme Community Primary School

Parents’ Curriculum Evening

October 2014

Curriculum Implementation

• The new National Curriculum introduced September 2014

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum• Includes: English, Mathematics and Science

(‘Core Subjects’)• Art & Design, Computing, Design & Technology,

Languages, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education (‘Foundation Subjects’).

The National Curriculum

“The National Curriculum is just one element in the education of every child. There is time and space in the school day and in each week, term and year to range beyond the National Curriculum specifications. The National Curriculum provides an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum.”

The National Curriculum in England DFE

Our Curriculum

“The school curriculum comprises all learning and other experiences that each school plans for its pupils. The National Curriculum forms one part of the school curriculum.”

The National Curriculum in England DFE

Designing Our School Curriculum

• The new National Curriculum consists mainly of knowledge and content

• As a staff, we considered the other elements we wanted to provide for the children of Torrisholme

• We used the analogy of a ‘rucksack’ that the children would take with them when they leave at the end of Year 6

These were divided into:

Skills – that we wanted pupils to develop, practise and apply.

Attributes – that we wanted to instil in pupils.

Experiences – that we felt pupils should have during their time at Torrisholme.

Involving families…

Questionnaires were sent out to all families and were also completed/discussed by children in their classes.

These asked about things the children had really enjoyed doing/learning about and things they would like to do/learn about.

We received a huge number of responses from families, with lots of great ideas!

Skillsteam work independence social skills

problem solving organise finances enquiry/research

road safety critical thinking literate

numerate communication ICT

cooking creativity practical/fixing

science skills common sense emotional intelligence

adaptability enterprising first aid

investigative flexibility internet safety

Attributesto have dreams ambitious high expectations

positive responsible passionate

honest resilient self aware

respectful imaginative self-esteem

sense of right /wrong challenge stereotypes member of local community

perseverance dedication committed

friendly loving generous

happy successful culturally aware

manners laugh at oneself kind

empathetic sense of humour grounded

nurturing open-minded inquisitive

realistic determined confident

forward thinking self-reliant have self belief

enthusiastic have pride motivated

tolerant understanding inquisitive

Experiences ‘The Torrisholme Bucket List!’

A visit to the theatre A live music concertCookingVisit a farmLearn to swimRaise money for charityCultural residentialTrain rideOpen top bus rideBoat rideCamping outside School sleepover Visit different places of worshipVisit an art galleryVisit a castle

Film makingWalk up a hill/mountainCompetitive sportsSchool swapOutdoor activities such as canoeing, climbing, den building etcEntrepreneurshipCareer taster sessionsVisit the Power StationOutdoor residentialVisit the seasideA live sports eventMeet with people in the community – police/fire/lifeboatsBirdwatching

How does our curriculum look?

• Learning is based around topics e.g. Space• Very often, whilst a topic will involve most

subjects, some will be more prominent than others e.g. Space – Science

• The core subjects of English and Maths are taught daily

• English is very well linked to topics, Maths tends to be ‘discrete’ but links are made where possible

How does our curriculum look?

• Other subjects, which don’t necessarily link to topics are taught in other ways– Some are taught ‘discretely’ during a regular

timetabled session e.g. PE or Music– Sometimes aspects of subjects are ‘blocked’ e.g. a

Science or DT week• The coverage of subjects is balanced over

the school year

How will our curriculum look?

• The length of topics and timetables are flexible

• Looking for opportunities for trips and visitors• Using ‘hooks’ to start a topic off• Providing a purpose/audience for topic work• Presentation/reflection/celebration

opportunities, sometimes involving parents