At Great Alne Primary we have planned a progressive, localised curriculum which is designed to inspire our pupils. Our rolling curriculum has been carefully planned and structured and is mapped coherently and deliberately to build knowledge and skills year-on-year whilst making links between subjects and reinforcing key concepts and vocabulary and ensuring full coverage of the National Curriculum. SMSC links and Fundamental British Values are carefully interweaved throughout our curriculum. Each half-term has either a history or a geography focus and, where possible, class texts are linked to encourage a strong love of reading.

Our long-term plans and curriculum policy is available on the website. They will give you more information about each area of the curriculum.

We aim to give our pupils a breadth of experiences through:

• Outdoor learning - we have access to the school forest, Heart of England forest at Spernal Lane and Great Alne Retirement Village. We look to enrich opportunities through visits and visitors to widen children's understanding and skills.
• Communities (local, global and cultural perspective) - through our connections with Great Alne Retirement Village, links to businesses, other schools in the locality to develop the pupils as global citizens.
• Use of technologies - the pupils have access to laptops. 
• Creative arts - we participate in Stratford Literary Festival, music festivals, invite visitors such as artists to share skills, look for opportunities to extend the children's musical ability and have our very own piano suite and music room.
• High expectations & academic standards are key to our curriculum development. We teach the children that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve. We help them to develop their skills and knowledge in all areas.

Central to our whole curriculum are the core subjects - English, Maths and Science. We follow key objectives as set out in The National Curriculum (2014)

We have fidelity to the phonics scheme, Read, Write, Inc; use The Literacy Tree as a foundation for writing, speaking and listening and reading; White Rose Maths as a foundation for Maths Mastery teaching; Kapow for Science, Computing, Music, PSHE, History, Geography, Art and Design and DT.

Staff use Rosenshine Principles to deliver an effective approach to instruction in the class, including daily reviews, small steps, questioning, live modelling, guided practice, scaffolding and weekly and monthly reviews.

English is taught every day with a strong focus on acquiring excellent key skills, phonics, keywords and spelling as well as covering other aspects of the National Curriculum. We follow a text based curriculum, using high-quality, ambitious texts to inspire and excite pupils. Children are encouraged to listen carefully and speak with confidence. They read from a wide variety of books and develop their reading skills using reading VIPERS as part of their whole class reading. Throughout the school we encourage excellence in handwriting and presentation.

Maths is also taught every day during maths lessons and also as part of our theme, where strategically planned. Pupils develop their understanding through a variety of small-step, sequenced activities. There is a strong emphasis on mental calculation and fluency. Children are encouraged to develop the ability to solve problems and use their maths skills in everyday situations. Children also have a separate fluency session each day.

Scientific enquiry skills are developed throughout each science topic. Children cover life processes, materials and physical processes. Investigations are carried out, enabling pupils to gather, analyse, and consider evidence. Children are encouraged to develop scientific skills, knowledge and vocabulary.

Art and design follows the Kapow Primary scheme. Children use a variety of mediums, materials and techniques and are introduced to famous artists. Artwork is displayed with pride around the school.

History is taught in all classes following the Kapow Primary scheme. Children are encouraged to think, question and acquire knowledge of key historical events. Primary and secondary sources are used to develop children’s understanding of the past and how it influences the present. Children learn to evaluate from photographs, census returns and the internet to argue their point of view.  Geography looks at the natural and human world through the study of contrasting places. Children are encouraged to hypothesise, analyse and develop decision-making skills. Geography inspires children to think about their place in the world.

Music offers many opportunities for singing and playing instruments. Following Kapow, as a foundation for teaching, the children enjoy weekly music lessons and have an opportunity to play in small music groups and can have individual lessons too. 

In Physical Education, pupils develop individual and team skills and an awareness of health and fitness. Activities include dance, gymnastics, games sessions, outdoor activities, athletics and swimming. Sports coaches, from Fitt4Kids, are employed for specialised coaching in all year groups. KS2 also have the opportunity for swimming lessons throughout the year.

We follow Kapow Primary for teaching Religious Education, covering Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism, giving children knowledge and understanding of different faiths and contributing towards their spiritual, personal and social development.

In Computing, pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Teachers follow Kapow as a foundation for teaching the computing curriculum. Pupils learn how to use, express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology. Online safety is a key focus and learning how to keep safe when using different digital technologies is paramount.

In KS2, children learn to speak French in their Modern Foreign Languages lessons. The school has chosen to focus on French Language and culture and specific French lessons are delivered by class teachers using the Kapow scheme.

PSHE, Citizenship and RSE is taught in all years through relevant themes using Kapow Scheme of work.

In the summer term, children from EYFS-Year 6 take part in RSE lessons.

Spirituality & reflection - mindfulness sessions, opportunities for debate, the big questions, promoting mental health & well-being.

Cultural - we visit different places of worship or invite visitors in, explore different cultures, follow Kapow Primary to ensure all children have opportunities to ask questions and understand about different religions and beliefs. 

We are diligent to show our connection with, and care for, the world in which we all live and care for the people who live in it:

• Charities of significance to our children;
• Strong links with St Mary Magdalen Church;
• Student Council who seek the views of pupils as to which causes we want to support;
• Developing links with schools locally;
• Strong FOS with community events such as Christmas and Summer Fayres, discos and film nights;
• School advertises and supports local events;
• Strong links with local pre-schools and nurseries;
• Head Teacher writes school newsletters for the school and local community;
• Community links with Stratford Herald Newspaper to reach out to the community.