Our Curriculum Intent

At our school, our learning is based on a broad and balanced curriculum and delivered on the wide and varied learning platform of the EYFS ‘Characteristics of Learning’ throughout the entire primary stage. We are fully committed to developing each child’s unique potential within a secure and caring environment. Our curriculum is very much based on enriching the lives of our learners through the great outdoors and experiences beyond the classroom. Learning is enhanced by our school forest and outdoor learning spaces, educational and residential visits, global learning, topic days, workshops, assemblies, school council, clubs, sports, fundraising and community work. Outcomes may be designed to meet the requirements of the new National Curriculum but also importantly to develop the skills needed for learning and life.

Our Curriculum Implementation

How do we consider the content and teaching sequence in each subject?

Our vibrant and rich curriculum is designed so that the subject specific skills are scaffolded within a crosscurricular theme or context. In order to ensure that progression and balance is maintained, the 2 yearly programmes of study are then developed into medium term plans which clearly highlight the learning objectives, assessment opportunities, differentiated tasks as well as links to other subjects and the thinking skills and aspects of learning most appropriate. Teachers then translate these plans into smaller units – half term, weekly, daily plans where the specific needs of the learners are addressed. We regularly review better ways of meeting and assessing children’s needs and measuring impact on progress and attainment and, as such, teaching is carefully tailored to meet the needs of all the children.

Playtimes are an important part of our pupils being happy, healthy and ready to learn. We have Play Leaders who encourage and develop play within our playgrounds, a sports field and an outdoor area specifically for the EYFS children. Our KS2 children can choose to become mentors to our younger children in EYFS. We aim to provide educational experiences that take into account the individual needs of children, appropriate to their level of ability.

Special Educational Needs (SEND) at Upton Cross we have developed a programme of early intervention in order to identify pupils who have special educational needs. This process is co-ordinated by our SENDCo and SENDCo assistant, who are also supported in their work by outside agencies, which provide specialist advice.

Homework is seen as an important extension of our work in school and all classes provide a topic grid of activities that embrace all areas of the curriculum as well as reading, writing and maths tasks.

Our Curriculum Impact

How well are our pupils learning the content within our curriculum?

We measure and develop the aspects of the ‘Characteristics of learning’ through the questions below:

Playing and Exploring

• Are our children finding out and exploring?
• Are they playing with what they know?
• Being willing to ‘have a go’?

Creating and Thinking Critically

• Are they being involved and concentrating?
• Do they keep trying?
• Do our learners enjoy achieving what they set out to do?

Active Learning

• Do our learners have their own ideas?
• Are they making links in their learning?
• Are our learners choosing ways to do things?

Assessment is an on-going process within our school, the aim of which is to help your child achieve his or her maximum potential. This takes many forms including observation, written evidence and discussion between teacher and child. Annual questionnaires are in place for pupils, parents, staff and governors to help us analyse the impact, interests and support of our curriculum and school. Unified approaches of Tapestry in EYFS and Insight in KS1 and 2 allow consistency in our assessments. Formal assessment within the National Curriculum will take place at ages 7 and 11.

If you have any further queries regarding your child's curriculum, please do not hesitate to speak to their class teacher or Miss Goodey (Headteacher). Please find the 2 year rolling programme and mapping of skills with ‘Our approach to the curriculum’ folders of our website.

International Links

Upton Cross ACE Academy has been partnered with Magola School in Uganda for several years. This has been through the Connecting Classrooms project funded by the British Council. 

During the academic year 2019/20, Miss Davies (Caradon Class teacher) went out to Uganda to visit Magola School for 2 weeks and her aim was to embed Global Learning into our school and focus on Sustainable Development Goal 'Zero Hunger' and our link project. 

We were excited to host Mathew (Garden Teacher) from Magola in June of the following year. 

The project has been set up by the 'Learning Beyond the Classroom' Kernow Learning Trust Leads. 

 

Please click here to view the Equalities Statement, Accessibility Plan, Racial Equality Policy and the Equality and Diversity Policy.  Please also refer to the Everyone's Included pages of the website where you can find an information report detailing how our school identifies, assesses, and makes provision for children with Special Educational Needs and disabilities.

If you would like to find out more information about the curriculum at Upton Cross Academy please contact the school office by emailing uptoncross@kernowlearning.co.uk