Our Curriculum Overview

At Elmstead Wood Primary School we have a rich curriculum. In English our learning is centred around quality texts, mostly taken from the CLPE Power of Reading programme. These immerse children into different worlds with exciting characters and language. We use teaching approaches that create engagement and a love of literacy. The teaching of grammar, punctuation and spelling/phonics is taught through a separate session as well as being integrated into the English lesson. In Reception and Key Stage 1 children have daily Phonics sessions in smaller groups to allow focused teaching. We use Read Write Inc to give learners rich, quality phonics provision. The children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 receive one to one reading as well as group reading sessions. The children in Key Stage 2 are taught reading and comprehension skills through whole class reading. Children who need additional reading skills teaching will receive additional one to one and group reaching sessions. In Maths we identify the next steps learners need to make and then focus on closing those gaps. As mathematical skills become secure we apply them in a range of contexts. 

The teaching of British values (democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith) is interwoven throughout our curriculum as part of our social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) teaching. British values are also taught through our personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme ‘Jigsaw', which looks at how young people apply these values in every day scenarios. The school also enhances this learning through pupil’s experience such as the ‘Life bus’, or half-termly whole school days focusing on social, moral, spiritual and cultural learning. Our foundation curriculum and the texts we use to teach English are carefully planned to offer opportunities for our pupils to explore contemporary issues in modern life.

Our PE sessions involve input from specialist PE coaches to provide enriching sporting activities both indoors and out. In Computing we use digital tools across all areas of learning and additionally we spend time developing our Computer Science and ICT ability.