All maintained schools are required to provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all children which:
- Promotes their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development.
- Prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
- Teaches the National Curriculum and Religious Education through approaches that promote excellence and enjoyment.
Recently schools have been increasingly encouraged to be creative in how they build their own unique and distinctive curriculum within these guidelines. At St Andrew’s CE Primary School, our timetable is not etched in stone but shows flexibility and dynamism, responding to the needs of individuals within a variety of teaching approaches. It also reflects the best use of our resources, both physical and human.
Our curriculum also takes into account our unique community, its evolution, traditions and heritage, whilst balancing this with the diverse multi-cultural world in which we live, with its ever-changing technological wizardry.
We also recognise that learning opportunities are not limited to the confines of the timetabled day. Our wide range of extra-curricular activities ensures that such opportunities are not lost. We are convinced that this philosophy best meets the needs, talents and aspirations of the children in our school. Our curriculum may be open to change but always stays deeply rooted within the ‘Core Values’ of the school.
The precise details of our curriculum subject plans can be seen in school and are regularly reviewed by staff and governors to ensure that National Curriculum and LEA Guidance and Strategies are embedded within our practice. This is an essential piece of business to maintain progression, continuity and the highest quality of teaching and learning we can offer, where the child is at the centre of our thoughts.
The children are taught each of the Core Subjects (English, Maths & Science) RE and the Foundation Subjects (History, Geography, Computing, Art, Design Technology, Music and PE) in addition to Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) and Spanish in KS2.
Our long term plans reflect the DCSF recommended percentages of time for each of these areas, ensuring that cross curricular links are made where possible to integrate learning and make it meaningful to the children. As an example, within the History topic of World War 2 might come elements of Literacy, Numeracy, Science, Design Technology, ICT, Music and PSHCE. When relevant, day and residential visits are included in the programme to provide first hand learning experiences. On other occasions visiting specialists or speakers are brought in to stimulate learning and make school an exciting, dynamic place to be.
The development of Literacy and Numeracy underpins much of what we do in school. The ‘National Frameworks’ for the development of these key areas are prominent features of all schools. We hope parents will take advantage of meetings and workshops to gain a greater insight into these key areas and how they can help their child in their development.
Religious Education
There is a long-established bond between the School and Immanuel Church in Oswaldtwistle. Visiting speakers take our worship on a regular basis. Our assemblies, on planned themes, offer a rich and varied diet of collective worship and reflective thought. Children are also taught about other world religions to help them understand different communities, draw comparisons and come to terms with the diverse world in which they live.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE and worship but we would urge them to allow their children to take part. If you are uncertain about your child’s involvement in RE or worship please speak to the Headteacher.
Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE)
The school places great importance on the development of each pupil through pastoral care and through a structured programme of study into personal relationships which includes many aspects of personal growth. PSHCE enables our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We provide our children with opportunities for them to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community.
