Curriculum
Our Curriculum Intent
At Thorpe Acre Junior School, we put the child at the centre of our caring school. Our curriculum is ambitious, designed to meet pupils' needs and takes into account the full range of subjects and legal requirements of the primary National Curriculum.
We consider the extent to which we provide all learners, particularly our most disadvantaged, SEND and high needs pupils, with enriching experiences that equip them with the essential knowledge they need to succeed in life. We recognise the importance of investing in their cultural capital, our core values and the vital information they need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said and helping to generate an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.
Central to this are the key academic, personal and vocational skills which prepare learners for the next stage of their lives. We inspire pupils to challenge themselves, to be confident, resilient, independent learners who recognise they can learn from their mistakes and who show empathy and compassion to others. We promote the celebration of everyone's achievements and encourage all pupils to take pride in their work.
Teaching and learning opportunities are carefully planned and sequenced to enable pupils to gather the necessary knowledge and skills for future learning, assist them to be 'next year' ready and enable them to make successful, positive contributions to the world. As a school, we have determined that our definition of learning is a change to the long term memory. This means the way we implement our curriculum enables pupils to revisit, apply and deepen their learning across and within subject areas, whilst maintaining each subject as an individual discipline, with its own unique set of skills. For learning to stick in the long term memory, we teach knowledge in meaningful contexts and in a connected way. Above all, we aim for our curriculum to give all learners the best possible education and allow every pupil to aspire to reach their next, and future, goals.
Subjects and Themes
English and Maths are taught daily, discretely, with a focus on key skills and independence. Where relevant and appropriate, links to the theme being taught are also made. We aim for the children to develop their stamina for reading, writing and recording in Maths and for their themed work to show real evidence of extended, purposeful cross-curricular writing.
Science is taught discretely on a weekly basis but also linked to our themes wherever possible. Our curriculum encourages the use and application of digital media and computing skills. All other subjects are largely taught through the theme ensuring a high age-related standard in each year group with skills being built on progressively year on year.
KEY SKILLS
ENGLISH We want to deliver an innovative English curriculum which enables and empowers children’s written and oral communication and creativity. Throughout the school pupils are taught to read easily and with understanding, developing the ability and desire to read widely and deeply for pleasure and information. They acquire and can apply the key skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling. They write clearly, accurately, coherently and neatly.
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MATHS We want to ensure that pupils become fluent in the fundamentals of Maths, know and confidently apply key skills and reason mathematically. It is essential that all children have a secure and confident grasp of age-appropriate key skills and mathematical vocabulary which allows them to access a deeper understanding and make links between areas of maths, applying their mathematical knowledge to Science and other subjects.
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND VALUE
PERSONAL SKILLS We want to provide opportunities for, and to encourage, all pupils to develop their skills of: Leadership, resilience, independence, commitment, self-reliance, team-work and perseverance.
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FUNDAMENTAL BRITISH VALUES We want to support a welcoming, loving and caring environment built on honesty, trust and reliability which promotes: Democracy, individual liberty, pride, mutual respect, the rule of law, tolerance and inclusiveness.
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CREATIVITY
ART AND DESIGN We want our pupils to be creative and confident in the use of colour and different artistic mediums. Pupils need to develop their artistic skills in drawing, painting, printing, sculpting, designing and digital art and appreciate artists through confident creativity. |
EXPRESSIVE ARTS, LANGUAGES AND PE We want our pupils to appreciate music, dance, drama, languages and sports as essential elements of their cultural capital. We place great emphasis and value on pupils’ ability to express themselves through the Arts, languages and sports so these are well promoted through the curriculum. |
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY We want our pupils to use a broad range of skills and understanding to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems in a variety of contexts. This also allows for pupils to engage in enterprise activities.
HISTORY AND HERITAGE
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CULTURAL HERITAGE We feel it is important our pupils understand and value their own identity and heritage. This includes their cultural roots, as citizens of Leicestershire, the UK and as members of a global society.
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD
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GEOGRAPHY Our Geography curriculum engages pupils in studying the wider world, people, places and the environment. There is an emphasis on pupils asking, and finding the answers to, key geographical questions. Pupils need to have a knowledge of the world they live in –oceans, continents, major countries and cities, social and physical geography, the environment and sustainability.
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COMPUTING AND TECHNOLOGY It is important our pupils are able to understand and apply the fundamental principles of computing. This will include abstraction, logic, algorithms and data representation as well as digital technology. |
Please see the curriculum overview to see what child is learning this year.
If you have any questions about what this, or how best to support their learning at home, do not hesitate to arrange a time to discuss it further with your child’s teacher.
What does your child learn at school?
Thorpe Acre Junior School’s Curriculum Map
2019-2020
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 | Block 4 | Block 5 | Block 6 |
Year 3
| Extreme Survival Adapting to different climates and environments
| Tomb Raiders Ancient Egyptians
| China Modern and historical China
| Transport Aviation and exploration
| Meet the Flintstones Britain in the Stone, Bronze and Iron Age | Journey through Europe Climate and culture
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Year 4
| The World’s Kitchen Food and farming around the World
| Reign over Us The power of the monarchy
| The Great War Your country needs you
| Crime and Punishment Changes in social history
| Roman Rule The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain
| Journey through Europe Climate and culture
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Year 5
| Wild Waters Rivers and coasts
| Walls and Barricades Borders or barriers? To defend or to divide?
| Invaders Angles, Saxons and Scots
| Mexico and the Mayans Modern and Ancient Mexico
| Wonder Women Hidden figures
| Journey through Europe The European Union |
Year 6
| Yes Minister British politics and parliament
| Out of this World Solar system, universe, space exploration
| Disaster! Earthquakes and volcanoes
| Rule Britannia The Viking and Saxon battle for the throne of England
| Wonder Women Hidden figures
| Journey through Europe The European Union
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French Curriculum map: Unit Planner for the Academic Years:
2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 and onwards.
The following plan is in place so that children progress through language learning acquiring the key 5 skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar. The aim is to ensure a challenging curriculum where children make good or better progress.
2020-21 | Year 3 and year 4 (Early Language Units) | Year 5 and Year 6 (intermediate Language Units) |
Autumn 1 | I'm Learning French | Presenting Myself |
Autumn 2 | Animals | Family |
Spring 1 | Fruits | My Home |
Spring 2 | Musical Instruments | At The Café |
Summer 1 | Little Red Riding Hood | The Classroom |
Summer 2 | I Can… (dance, sing, watch etc..) | Habitats |
For details of other subjects please go to your child's class page.