Curriculum

OUR CURRICULUM

Educating to ‘promote life in all its fullness’.

Although our Schools’ follow all the requirements of the National Curriculum, we are proud to offer a much wider and richer curriculum, making the most of the many and varied opportunities to both broaden and enrich the learning opportunities for all our children.

We have developed a curriculum pledge which outlines how our Christian School Vision and Values shape and direct our curriculum.

The outline of knowledge, skills and understanding that schools are required to cover is provided by The National Curriculum (revised in Sept 2014).  Much of this is taught through creative, cross-curricular themes where children will learn different elements from a range of subjects, all within one common theme.

OUR CURRICULUM

The National Curriculum comprises core and foundation subjects. The three major core subjects are English, mathematics and science and these take up a larger share of curriculum teaching time. As church schools, we also regard religious education and worship as part of our core provision. The foundation subjects are: art and design, computing, design and technology, languages (KS2), geography, history, music and physical education. This curriculum is extended with other aspects of learning, including personal, social and health education. We also place significant emphasis on social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of our children.

Sport and music further enrich the life of our children and a wide range of sporting opportunities are offered, particularly for our older children and some of our teams have proved to be very successful.

Participation in musical activities begins with glockenspiels and hand-bells in Years 1 and 2, leading to the whole of Year 3 learning to play the recorder. Children continue to gain further musical experiences in Years 4 and 5 through djembe and glockenspiel work, and learning basic keyboard skills in Year 6. Children can also choose individual musical tuition in Years 3 to 6 – currently this includes keyboard, guitar, drums, brass and woodwind.  SongSquad, our junior school choir is also a key part of school life. As well as singing in school and church they have participated in big public events such as the Music for Youth festival at the Adrian Boult Hall.

Curriculum Overview

Our Curriculum Pledge

At the Federation of St Alphege Church of England Infant, Nursery and Junior Schools we believe ‘a good education must promote life in all its fullness’.

We hope to offer this for all children and be true to our inclusive Christian School Vision and Values. Integral to this will be our worship in church and in school which provides children and adults the opportunity to come together to learn, reflect and pray, sing, share and communicate their joys and sorrows with one another and with God.

Through our curriculum, we aim to educate the whole child for ‘wisdom, knowledge and skills, for hope and aspiration, for community and living well together, and for dignity and respect.’

During their time at the Federation of St Alphege Church of England Infant, Nursery and Junior Schools, we believe each child should be afforded a rich curriculum with lots of meaningful, engaging learning experiences.

We Will Visit

  • a museum
  • an animal kingdom
  • the seaside
  • an art gallery
  • the theatre
  • libraries
  • local parks
  • a local area attraction
  • different places of worship
  • a sporting event
  • a residential trip
  • the town hall
  • the Palace of Westminster
  • a business / industry

Have the opportunity to

  • learn to play a musical instrument
  • perform to an audience
  • be taught be specialist teachers, for example sports coaches
  • represent the school through sporting events
  • be in a choir
  • play in an orchestra
  • take art in enterprise activities
  • work with an artist in residence
  • to make a short film or video
  • watch a pantomime
  • study a range of cultures and faiths
  • to share learning with a school overseas
  • undertake cycling proficiency
  • undertake first aid training
  • taste and make a variety of foods
  • work alongside a professional writer or storyteller
  • participate in a community celebration
  • learn about the world through scientific exploration

Have access to a range of special visitors, such as

  • past pupils who have excelled and want to share their achievements
  • representatives from a range of faiths
  • RNLI
  • Police
  • Fire Service
  • RSPB
  • local medical professionals
  • librarians
  • local secondary and grammar schools.
  • Mayor and MP

Summary of Our Pledge

This pledge makes the Federation of St Alphege Church of England Infant, Nursery and Junior Schools unique. Our curriculum will enable the children to experience ‘life in all its fullness.’

Our curriculum is centered on our Christian School Vision and Values and is relevant, exciting, broad and balanced and one, which provides each child with the skills to be socially mobile and resilient in an ever demanding, challenging world.

Above all, the experiences detailed in our curriculum pledge will encourage in each child gratitude, courage and particularly service.

Each child will grow, develop and reach their potential in a caring Christian community.