Our vision for the curriculum at Holy Family

Intent

Learning at Holy Family is Values-based. We have four School Values; We care about respect, Passionate about learning, Growing our hearts and minds and Together we succeed. Our values shape how we behave, what we say, how we build relationships and how we learn. They are incorporated in every aspect of life at Holy Family. They are a focus in assemblies, behaviour and learning activities.

At Holy Family,  we pride ourselves on creating a curriculum which is broad, balanced and inclusive considering our school’s unique characteristics: the diversity of our community, school location and the interests of our children. Our curriculum is based on the Early Years Framework and the National Curriculum for Years 1-6. The curriculum is timetabled so that all subjects of the national curriculum are taught, this enables a broad and balanced curriculum. Each subject leader, together with the staff have developed a curriculum which is dynamic, robust and challenging; underpinned by the knowledge, skills and understanding relevant for each year group. 

Careful consideration has been given to the sequencing of knowledge and skills within each subject from Reception to Year 6, and from one year group to the next, towards clearly defined end points. Our curriculum in EYFS prepares pupils for Year 1. Prior curriculum knowledge and skills shapes their readiness for the next stage in learning.  Our curriculum has been planned to be engaging and promotes a love of learning. It is a curriculum that is enriched by connecting learners to the local, national and global world, opening doors to new experiences and opportunities.

Our well resourced curriculum is enriched by first hand experiences, so that pupils embed their learning and gain in cultural capital. Each National Curriculum subject has its own progression grid, outlining the learning, knowledge, skills and vocabulary in each year group. These build on previous learning so that children can make sense of new concepts and that learning moves to their long term memory.

The curriculum is planned to take into account our local context. Pupils develop a growth mind set approach by challenging themselves. Pupils become more resilient by recovering from any setbacks they experience. Throughout our curriculum, pupils live out our Catholic mission by engaging in charitable work and considering how they can follow in the footsteps of Jesus. 

We have categorised the behaviours of our curriculum into our four school values. These behaviours are the backbone to how and what we teach the children, underpinning our curriculum.

Implement

Learning is sequenced and built upon, so children know more and remember more. We deliver creative and engaging lessons. Recap and recall forms a key part of the lesson, ensuring children have remembered prior knowledge and skills so that knowledge can be built upon, so it moves to the long-term memory.

Early reading and the development of vocabulary are at the heart of our curriculum. Our phonics scheme Little Wandle ensures children learn to read in a systematic way. Phonically matched books are part of this process. Reading development is carefully monitored so that reading fluency and comprehension is achieved.

Teachers check and embed what pupils already know. Teachers know how new knowledge fits into the sequence of learning. Lessons enable pupils to demonstrate their understanding of key knowledge and skills as they apply their learning through different means of recording and discussion.

We are an inclusive school. Teaching is carefully adapted to meet the needs of all children, including those with SEND. We provide a range of curriculum enrichment in the form of speakers and educational visits. Pupils are fully engaged in lessons. 

Our extra-curricular activities also help to build skills and character. Pupils lead the charitable work in the school as Mini Vinnies. Pupil leadership opportunities include prefect roles, wellbeing ambassadors, communication team, sports leaders digital leaders and the GIFT team who support other classes with worship sessions. These teams help pupils to make a tangible difference to the experiences of their peers.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum is shown in the understanding and retention of knowledge and skills across the curriculum, together with the attainment and progress of our pupils. This is reflected in pupil work, end points, behaviour and attitudes to learning. Pupils understand, retain and call recall information so that they perform well in assessments. Outcomes are good and are in line with local and national averages. Disadvantaged pupils including those with SEND are given the best opportunities to progress and achieve well. Pupils are prepared well for the next stage of education and are equipped with the necessary life skills in order to support them as they move on. Impact is measured using a range of strategies. These include:

• Formative assessments via questioning, marking, quizzes, recall activities.
• Summative assessments in the form of unit assessments.
• Senior Leadership Team and Subject Leader learning walks and drop in sessions
• Subject Leader ‘Friday Flick’ monitoring
• Observation of quality first teaching in lessons checking learning and attitudes to learning.
• Book Looks/work scrutiny
• Exploring how pupils know more and remember more.
• Formal tracking detailing attainment and progress completed termly
• Pupil Progress meetings and Pupil Premium and SEND meetings
• Evaluation of interventions
• Knowledge checks
• National testing