At Gateford Park Primary School we offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced and which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children, whatever their starting points, as they progress through each Key Stage. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum 2014 and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the pupils in our school. The aim of our curriculum is for pupils to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education.

Pupils consolidate the Early Learning Goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum as they enter Year 1.  Then over the first half of the Autumn Term the majority of children progress to the National Curriculum. Throughout this period and beyond all children are still developing their phonic knowledge through the Letters and Sounds Programme and developing their fluency in reading.

The National Curriculum is delivered through the school’s curriculum to ensure coverage and progression throughout the school.   The more able are challenged further to deepen their learning and children who find aspects of their learning more difficult are appropriately supported so that they too are enabled to experience success. National requirements are mapped out as a whole school, from Year One to Year Six and then individual year groups plan the topics for their pupils accordingly. The curriculum is underpinned by the school’s Golden Values and these are embedded through many areas of the curriculum, including assemblies. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils and their understanding of the core values of our society are woven into every aspect of school life.

The English and mathematics curriculum are taught discretely but where possible link to foundation subjects and topics.  These subjects are taught in mixed ability classes throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and are driven by pre-assessment or 'cold' tasks that assess what children do and do not know within a new concept.   In all year groups there are small group interventions in order to support pupils in gaining the key skills to become successful readers, writers and mathematicians.

Subject leaders are given the opportunity to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school. Some aspects of physical education are supported by specialist coaches.

Themed days, weeks, whole school activities and opportunities within and outside school all enrich and develop the children’s learning. Educational and enrichment visits and visitors are a key aspect of our curriculum, giving children valuable opportunities to learn about and link with communities beyond their own.  After school clubs and events are a daily part of school life. 

The outdoor environment and the local and wider community are considered an opportunity for active learning for all our pupils. The school grounds are used to enrich different curriculum areas and we encourage all of our children to be responsible global citizens. Pupils have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through school-based performances, competitions and events involving other schools and communities. Developing their independence, motivation, perseverance and resilience as learners is at the heart of our teaching and learning.

During one half term each academic year, the topic is school-wide and there is a planned  themed week involving activities for children and their grown ups.

Please see our other curriculum information, in individual subject areas in the 'Curriculum' section of the website for further details of each area.