The Curriculum at Willow Tree Primary School
The School Curriculum
The Primary curriculum has 3 stages: Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception),
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6).
There is a whole school curriculum plan, which is reviewed and developed bi annually by the teaching staff. Each class has a basic timetable and curriculum
scheme appropriate to the level of the children's ability and needs. The school
curriculum consists of the National Curriculum, which is taught through a creative
and cross-curricular way, and other learning opportunities such as Personal, Social
and Health Education (PSHE), Citizenship and Spanish in KS2.
Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage curriculum is planned and assessed using the areas of
learning. It is based on ongoing observation and assessment in the three prime and
four specific areas of learning, and the three learning characteristics, set out below:
The prime areas of learning:
• communication and language
• physical development
• personal, social and emotional development
The specific areas of learning:
• literacy
• mathematics
• understanding the world
• expressive arts and design
The Foundation curriculum leads on to the National Curriculum which is more
subject based, but taught in an integrated way through a topic-based approach
National Curriculum (NC)
The National Curriculum is central to our planning and assessment procedure. The
staff work closely together to prepare a structured programme of learning based on
the National Curriculum, which is both broad and balanced and is delivered through
subject teaching and cross-curriculum topic work.
The core subjects are Maths, English, Science and Computing.
The foundation subjects are Music, Art, Physical Education, History, Technology,
Geography and Religious Education (RE).
For each subject and Key Stage, programmes of study set out what pupils should be
taught and attainment targets set out the expected standards of pupils' performance.
We continually assess the children's learning throughout the year to ensure progress
and continuity in their development. Assessment is also vital to inform our planning.
Children are assessed for NC purposes at the age of 7 (Key Stage 1) and 11 (Key
Stage 2).
English
We aim to provide a curriculum that enables all children to attain their full potential in
literacy. We provide the experience of language within a structured, progressive,
balanced and varied programme of study.
In Spoken Language, children have opportunities to participate in a wide range of
activities, for example, collaborative work in groups or pairs, sharing opinions,
questioning, role play, performing to an audience in school productions.
We teach the skills that enable children to become confident and competent readers.
Our library provides a rich and diverse selection of reading materials.
We teach children to write in a meaningful way for a variety of purposes and
audiences.
Mathematics
In the teaching of mathematics we aim to enable children to be actively involved in
experiencing the mathematical curriculum in a variety of ways. It is important that not
only do they develop their understanding of mathematical concepts, but they also
acquire skills that they will need to use in everyday situations.
From Foundation stage to Year 6, children are given opportunities to develop mental
and oral skills, to learn and practise basic skills in number, shape, space, measures
and handling data and to apply those skills to problem solving tasks and
investigations.
Science
Science is an integral part of modern life and we aim to challenge our pupils and
stretch their imaginations.
In KS1 pupils are involved in:
 asking simple questions and recognising that they can be answered in
different ways
 observing closely, using simple equipment
 performing simple tests
 identifying and classifying
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using their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
gathering and recording data to help in answering questions.
During years 3 and 4, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific
methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study
content:
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asking relevant questions and using different types of scientific enquiries to
answer them
setting up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
making systematic and careful observations and, where appropriate, taking
accurate measurements using standard units, using a range of equipment,
including thermometers and data loggers
gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data in a variety of ways to
help in answering questions
recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled
diagrams, keys, bar charts, and tables
reporting on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations,
displays or presentations of results and conclusions
using results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values,
suggest improvements and raise further questions
identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas
and processes
using straightforward scientific evidence to answer questions or to support
their findings.
During years 5 and 6, pupils should be taught to use the following practical scientific
methods, processes and skills through the teaching of the programme of study
content:
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planning different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including
recognising and controlling variables where necessary
taking measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing
accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
recording data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams
and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs
using test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair
tests
reporting and presenting findings from enquiries, including conclusions,
causal relationships and explanations of and degree of trust in results, in oral
and written forms such as displays and other presentations
identifying scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or
arguments.
Computing
We believe that ICT is a key part of our children's learning. Wherever possible, the
technical skills they acquire through specific ICT teaching are set in a cross
curricular context. This learning commitment is supported by the school's networked
computing system which links the classroom and the ICT suite computers to the
Internet.
Art & Design
By observation and experiment, children develop an awareness of colour, shape and
texture in the world around them and an ability to express their response to it through
the use of different materials. Children are given experience of a range of artistic
styles through being introduced to the work of artists from different periods. Our
children's work is displayed around the school, in classrooms and on the school
website.
Music
All of our children have a class music lessons in which they play a wide variety of
games encompassing listening, composing and performing. We hold a KS1 and KS2
music assembly each week where we learn new songs together.
Lots of extra-curricular musical activities take place at Willow Tree. Music teachers
offer tuition on the guitar, piano, drums, woodwind, string and brass instruments and
we have an active Choir.
Design and Technology
Children are given the opportunity to develop their design and technology skills by
combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in
order to design and make products.
From an early age our children enjoy constructing models and are asked to explain
processes they have gone through. Children are encouraged to plan their designs
and choose the materials they will need from a wide selection of resources.
During their making they are encouraged to discuss and evaluate their progress in
order to improve their design where it is needed.
History
Through History we aim to foster in the children an appreciation of change and
continuity, an awareness of the nature of evidence, an empathy with the past, an
ability to pose historical questions and a sense of chronology and time.
Our children learn about famous people, events and developments in British history,
and also study an ancient civilisation. Our curriculum aims are supported and
enhanced by visits to places of interest, visiting speakers and special curriculum
days during which the staff and children dress up and take part in historical role play
activities
Geography
Geography is the study of the environment, local to global, and the physical and
human forces that shape it. In order to develop a true understanding of their
environment, we encourage our children to ask questions about and show an
interest in their surroundings.
The children develop a knowledge of distant places and different cultures and are
encouraged to care about the world they live in, appreciating the effects that humans
have upon it.
Map skills and aspects of physical Geography are taught in the context of the places
studied.
Physical Education
Our Sporting Aims are to help children to:
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Participate in physical activity and a healthy lifestyle
Develop and understand the importance of good sporting behaviour
Learn how to be part of a team
Value both group and individual achievements
Take part in competitive activities
In addition to the National Curriculum programme of study for PE and Games,
children in Key Stage 2 take part in district and school competitions in the following
sports: netball, rounders, football, cricket, athletics, rugby and swimming.
All children from FS2 to Y6 swim in our school pool weekly.
Religious Education
Our children also learn about all the major world religions and we aim to foster links
with other faith communities.
The ethos of the school forms the basis of the moral education at Willow Tree. We
expect everyone in the school to show consideration and tolerance for others.
We follow the agreed North Yorkshire syllabus for R.E., which aims to teach children
about religion and to ensure that they learn from the moral teachings of religions.
Assemblies are held every day and take a variety of forms, including class
assemblies. We like to end the week with a Star Award assembly where we can
share in the work and achievements of the children.
Should parents not wish their children to attend collective worship or Religious
Education, they can be withdrawn and suitable arrangements may be made following
consultation with the Headteacher.
Spanish
All Key Stage 2 children are taught Spanish.
Personal, social, Health & Citizenship Edication (PSHCE)
This programme of study incorporates Drug education and Sex education. PSHCE
provides essential knowledge, skills and understanding for all our pupils. It
comprises of three strands:
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Social and moral responsibility
Community development
Political literacy
In our school we aim to ensure that all our pupils will value their achievements, deal
with risks, meet the challenges of life now and in the future and identify their values
and strive to live up to them.
Pupils are encouraged to become involved in the running of the school through our
School Council. This includes decision-making, taking responsibility and learning
about democracy.