Curriculum
Our Curriculum Intent
At Thorpe Acre Junior School we consider the extent to which we are equipping pupils with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Central to this are the key academic, personal and vocational skills which prepare them for the next stage of their lives. We recognise the importance of investing in their cultural capital, our core values and the essential knowledge 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.
We aim for our curriculum to be structured and sequenced in such as a way as to help children remember what they have been taught and for them to make links with their learning. We aim for it to be imaginative and inspiring and for it to embrace our school context, making good use of resources, the locality and “the outdoor classroom.” Pride and quality presentation of pupils’ own work is central to our learning ethos and work is celebrated in books, through high quality cross curricular displays and in assemblies to reinforce this.
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
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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
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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
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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. |
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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. |
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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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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
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Block 1 |
Block 2 |
Block 3 |
Block 4 |
Block 5 |
Block 6 |
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Year 3
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Extreme Survival Adapting to different climates and environments
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Tomb Raiders Ancient Egyptians
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China Modern and historical China
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Transport Aviation and exploration
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Meet the Flintstones Britain in the Stone, Bronze and Iron Age |
Journey through Europe Climate and culture
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Year 4
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The World’s Kitchen Food and farming around the World
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Reign over Us The power of the monarchy
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The Great War Your country needs you
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Crime and Punishment Changes in social history
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Roman Rule The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain
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Journey through Europe Climate and culture
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Year 5
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Wild Waters Rivers and coasts
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Walls and Barricades Borders or barriers? To defend or to divide?
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Invaders Angles, Saxons and Scots
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Mexico and the Mayans Modern and Ancient Mexico
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Wonder Women Hidden figures
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Journey through Europe The European Union |
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Year 6
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Yes Minister British politics and parliament
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Out of this World Solar system, universe, space exploration
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Disaster! Earthquakes and volcanoes
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Rule Britannia The Viking and Saxon battle for the throne of England
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Wonder Women Hidden figures
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Journey through Europe The European Union
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