At Ainslie Wood Primary School we have developed a child centred enquiry based curriculum that is innovative, broad and varied. It enables children to use their imaginations, develop their creativity and become ‘experts’. We develop the children's individual abilities, interests and potential. We do this through a variety of teaching methods and by taking account of children's different learning styles. We also take note of what interests our children, and adapt our lessons and curriculum to accommodate this. We focus on reading, writing and mathematics as a foundation for all our learning. In years 1 and 2, children learn Phonics from the Letters and Sounds programme. Creativity is embedded into everyday teaching and learning.
Our unique, school-designed WE ARE Curriculum [Whole, Engaging, Active, Real, Exceeding expectations] is designed to provide a stimulating, challenging and rewarding learning journey so that all children become confident, competent and accomplished learners. This is taught through Project Based Learning (PBL) which covers science and most of the foundation subjects, whilst PE, RE, French and music are taught as stand-alone lessons.
Our curriculum threads SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) across all subject areas and school life, ensuring pupils are aware of the history and the values of Britain and ensuring pupils’ are prepared for life in modern Britain.
We teach children how to keep safe by a variety of means, which includes assemblies; and sessions on specific areas such as internet safety.
A big focus in Green Quad (Years 1 and 2), is widening children’s experiences. We incorporate this in to all aspects of our curriculum including Project Based Learning by providing opportunities and exposing children to things that they may not have experienced previously.
Phonics continues to be an essential tool for the development. In KS1, children continue to learn phonics every day using the Letters and Sounds program.
Click here to view the government produced Letters and Sounds materials
The following websites have excellent phonics activities;
http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/
http://www.familylearning.org.uk/phonics_games.html
http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/freeIndex.htm
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/5-7-years/letters-and-sounds
We believe a key life skill that should be taught explicitly to children in Red Quad (Years 3 and 4) is COLLABORATION. We incorporate this in to all of our subjects and Project Based Learning. The flexible walls in Red Quad and the shared learning space allow for collaboration across year groups as well as within year groups. We make full use of this amazing feature!
In Yellow Quad (Years 5 and 6), our focus is on Aspiration. The relentless drive to ensure all children fulfil their potential builds resilience and perseverance and creates a hardworking ethos amongst all children which helps to prepare them for a smooth transition into secondary school and beyond. We provide children with opportunities and experiences to ensure they develop key life skills and we introduce them to a range of careers and interests to inform and develop their aspirations.
We teach children how to keep safe in a variety of ways including assemblies, and sessions on specific areas such as internet safety and sex and relationship education (SRE).
Our systems include:
- Formative and summative assessment to improve teaching and learning and raise achievement.
- Accurate and moderated assessment drawing on a range of evidence from real learning experiences (we do not test our children until they learn test technique in Year 6)
- Regular evaluations of how well pupils' are doing against age related expectations.
- Identifying pupils who are at risk of falling behind and ensuring there is aspirational challenge for all learners.
We are currently delivering our curriculum through:
· A wide range of after school clubs and breakfast clubs, including art, cooking, variety of sports, dance and drama.
· Supporting all staff to deliver the WE ARE Curriculum.
· Educational visits linked to Project Based Learning
· Inviting experts in to work with our children in the school.
If you would like any further information on any aspect of our curriculum, please get in touch with Mr Bird, our Leader of Learning.