Curriculum Subjects

Mathematics Policy

Mathematics Coverage Overview

Mathematics Progression

 

For more information regarding our maths curriculum, please visit whiterosemaths.com or talk to your child's class teacher, or Miss Robinson.

Computing Policy

Computing Coverage Overview

Computing Progression

 

For more information regarding our computing curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher, Mrs. Waters or Miss Wilkinson.

Geography At Welholme Academy 

In short, we want pupils at Welholme Academy to develop a love of Geography and become inquisitive, motivated, enthusiastic learners with a genuine thirst for knowledge plus a keen interest in the world in which they live, making connections and forming opinions based on findings. We will give them opportunities to broaden both their knowledge base and skills set by covering the requirements of the National Curriculum whilst delivering this via topic-based enquiry learning which will capture the pupils’ interest and make learning relevant, plus current. Curriculum links will made with other subject areas such as Science, Maths, History, Art, English and PE (when appropriate) to make learning cohesive. The following key headings are taken from the National Curriculum: 

· Locational knowledge; 

· Place knowledge; 

· Human and physical geography; 

and 

· Geographical skills plus fieldwork. 

Pupils within each year group will focus upon these and aspects that have been identified within the broad headings, ensuring that whilst learning is progressive, there is ample opportunity to recap knowledge and skills gained year on year; pupils will therefore have plenty of opportunities to make links between the broad areas listed as well as links between year groups, constantly building upon previous knowledge and skills whilst striding forward to pose questions, investigate ideas and learn new geographical information and skills. 

Armed with an ever growing and well retained knowledge and skills base, our pupils will be able to communicate both confidently and effectively in a geographical manner, whether verbally or in a more hands on, practical way, demonstrating what they have learned and more importantly, making themselves understood whilst maintaining clarity and geographical accuracy. 

We aim for our pupils to be equipped with the geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 as well as life as an adult in the wider world. We wish for our pupils to have thoroughly enjoyed studying Geography at Welholme Academy, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences and interests both now and in the future. 

By reading our Geography intent, you will learn more about our curriculum.

 

Geography Policy

Geography Coverage Overview

Geography Progression

 

For more information regarding our geography curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher or Mrs. Rabbetts.

At Welholme Academy we shape our History curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to provide a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum that encompasses British values; ensuring the progressive development of historical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for the children to study life in the past. We believe the study of History inspires children’s curiosity, encourages them to ask critical questions and enables them to have a better understanding of the society in which they live and that of the wider world. 

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in History, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. History is taught as part of a half-termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum.  These half-termly topics are formed around an enquiry question and focus on both local and world History.  Topics are planned to make links between previous History topics which have been taught.

 

History Policy

History Coverage Overview

History Progression

 

For more information regarding our history curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher, Mrs. Simpson or Mrs. Harrison.

At Welholme, we teach basic French in KS2. French Language lessons are taught using the 'CGP Salut!' programme.

 

MFL Policy

French Coverage Overview

French Progression

 

For more information regarding our French curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher or Mrs. Clarke.

RE Policy

RE Coverage Overview

RE Progression

RE Right to Withdraw

 

For more information regarding our RE curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher or Mrs. Yarborough.

PSHE lies embedded at the heart of Welholme Academy’s curriculum. Our staff are dedicated to ensuring every child is recognised as a unique individual and we aim to inspire our pupils so that they truly believe they can achieve in our ever changing world. 

Our happy and nurturing environment enables our pupils to develop their full potential both as successful learners and responsible citizens for the future. We aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions. 

The PSHE and RE education is taught through a carefully planned program called JIGSAW which adopts a whole school themed approach that delivers up to date, carefully planned lessons designed to reflect the age and needs of all our pupils from foundation through to the end of Key Stage 2. 

Alongside PSHE lessons in class, children who need extra support can also access a wide range of interventions designed to help their emotional development and self-esteem.

 

PSHE Policy

PSHE Coverage Overview

PSHE Progression

 

For more information regarding our PSHE curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher, Miss Cochrane or Miss Ormond.

British Values

 

The Department for Education emphasise the important role that British values can play in education and have stated the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

 

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy, and these values were reiterated in 2014. At Welholme Academy British Values are promoted in much of what we do, during school assemblies, Religious Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) sessions. The values are also integral to our vision and values.

 

As well as actively promoting British Values, the opposite also applies: we would actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

 

The British values we promote are not unique to Britain. We acknowledge that they differ in no way from the values of the many countries and the cultural backgrounds represented by families at the school.

 

Being Part of Britain

As a school, we value and celebrate the diverse heritages of everybody at Welholme Academy. Alongside this, we value and celebrate living in, and being part of, Britain. In general terms, this means that we celebrate traditions and customs in the course of the year; for example, Harvest Festival during the autumn term; Remembrance Day; our infant nativity at Christmas; Easter, etc. We also value and celebrate national events such as royal celebrations, a general election, etc.

 

Children also learn about being part of Britain from different perspectives. Specific examples of when we teach about being part of Britain are:

 

Geographically: We ensure that children have a better understanding of what Britain is, learning more about its coasts, rivers and mountains: where Britain is in relation to the rest of Europe and other countries in the world.

 

Historically: Key moments in British history are studied in the topics such as the Great Fire of London and significant historical figures such Guy Fawkes and Grace Darling. Our timeline includes key events of British history.

 

Democracy

Children, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Welholme Academy. Democracy is central to how we operate. This includes:

 

• Voting – for example school council and eco council
• Looking at how democracy started in Ancient Greece
• Pupil voice meetings
• Staff and parent surveys

 

Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage pupils to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our pupils.

 

Rules and Laws

Rules and the function they serve are key to helping children understand how society works. The children need to be aware of this in order to become successful members of society We develop their understanding in various ways:

 

• The development of rules and the purpose they serve is explored through looking at school rules, class rules, PE rules, e-safety rules, etc.
• Visits from authority figures and key services such as the police and fire service
• The rules followed by different faith groups

 

The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and reinforced often, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. Pupils are taught from an early age the rules of the school. At the start of the school year, each class discusses the school rules and class routines, principles that are clearly understood by all and seen to be necessary to ensure that every class member is able to learn in a safe and ordered environment.

 

Children are rewarded not only for achievement in curriculum areas, but for behaviour and general adherence to the school or class rules. Rewards are given in the form certificates and badges/pins. Children’s achievements are recognised during our weekly ‘Star of the Week’ assembly.

 

Individual Liberty

Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely. For example:

 

• Discussions and debates within the curriculum
• Managing their own behaviour and making good choices
• The freedom to make choices around voting for the school councillors
• Participation in extra-curricular activities

 

Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our e-safety and PSHE lessons. They also understand that with rights come responsibilities.

 

Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

Welholme serves an area which is not culturally diverse. It is therefore essential that we promote and celebrate different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are all important. This is achieved by:

 

• Ensuring an understanding and appreciation of other faiths in RE
• Celebrating difference – for example in anti-bullying week
• Discussion in PSHE lessons
• Celebrating diversity and cultural differences in assemblies
• Looking at a range of celebrations and festivals such as Harvest, Easter, Diwali, etc.

 

Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Children learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

 

Whilst instances contrary to our values are relatively rare, no school can guarantee that there will never be instances which are contrary to our values. Each is treated seriously in line with our policies and expectations.

 

British Values in the Curriculum

DT Policy

DT Curriculum Overview

DT Progression

For more information regarding our DT curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher or Mrs. Blakeman.

Music at Welholme Academy 

At Welholme, we aim to develop a love of music and make the learning an enjoyable experience for all.

At Welholme, we are committed to ensuring that our children understand the value and importance of music within school, the wider community and in British culture. And that they are able to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of ways.

To develop the curiosity for the subject, as well of the understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music.

And an unbiased respect for the role that music may wish to be expressed in any person’s life.

Music lessons can be linked to the current topic being taught or are stand alone, discreet lessons.

We encourage all children to take part in lessons that cover the aims of The National Curriculum and EYS Early Learning Goals:

 

EYS

· Join in with songs and Nursery rhymes and poems with actions

· Explore sound makers/instruments with increasing control

· Listen with increased attention

· Express thoughts and feelings about what they hear

· Remember and sing entire songs

· Sing the pitch of a tone or melodic shape of a song

· Create own song or improvise one heard

· Sing in a group or on own

· Move in time to a piece of music

 

Key Stage One

• use their voices expressively and creatively

• play tuned and untuned instruments musically

• listen with concentration and understanding

• experiment with, create, select and combine sounds

 

Key Stage Two

• play and perform in solo and ensemble contexts, using their voices and playing

musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression

• improvise and compose music for a range of purposes

• listen with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory

• use and understand staff and other musical notations

• appreciate and understand a wide range of high-quality live and recorded music

drawn from different traditions and from great composers and musicians

• develop an understanding of the history of music.

 

Music Policy

Music Curriculum Overview

Music Progression

 

Our school has been nominated by our local Music Service to become a Music Mark School. They have recognised the value that we place on music in our school.

 

For more information regarding our music curriculum, please talk to your child's class teacher or Mrs. Sawden.

At Welholme Academy, Drama is used as a key tool in developing: 

· Oral skills 

· Vocabulary 

· Building confidence and self-esteem 

· Exploration of characters 

· Making history come alive 

· Developing imagination in order to aid writing 

 

Drama is used throughout the curriculum and really allows pupils to experience an unfamiliar situation or become a character that is being studied. 

Hot seating, response in role, freeze frame and conscience alley are all used in our Power of Reading lessons, history topics and PSHE Jigsaw scheme. We believe that through drama and role-play- children can imagine a character’s body language, behaviour, tone of voice and thoughts which they can later draw on when they write. 

There are opportunities for all children to take part in year group productions every year which are proudly performed to parents. These can range from plays, sketches, performance poetry, songs and celebrating work.