Curriculum

English curriculum

Reading

Our strategy for the teaching of early reading and phonics is to utilise Read Write Inc. This approach:

• Utilises simple and enjoyable mnemonics help all children to grasp the letter-sound correspondences quickly;
• Teaches high frequency words that are not phonically regular as 'tricky' words (we call them Red Words) and are practised frequently
• Ensures that our phonics books are closely matched to children's increasing knowledge of phonics and 'tricky' words so that, early on, they experience plenty of success.

From years 3 to 6, we teach reading comprehension using the VIPERS (vocabulary, inference, prediction, explanation, retrieval and summarise) approach. We utilise a range of high quality texts, and deliver group teaching to embed these skills through discrete teaching, and across our wider curriculum.

Writing

Our skills led curriculum is based around high-quality texts that cater for the needs and interests of our children. We ensure that all children have the opportunity to learn about and write a variety of genres including fiction, poetry, plays and non – fiction.

Quality first teaching is supported by focussed resources and working walls within the learning environment.

Children regularly compose longer written pieces that allow them to further develop the skills of planning, evaluating, editing and redrafting their work to achieve a higher standard.

Teachers ensure writing opportunities are available across the wider curriculum to allow children to demonstrate their writing abilities in a variety of contexts. 

Maths curriculum

At Shenley our approach to maths will enable all children to develop confidence in the necessary skills to become fluent and independent mathematicians. Over time, they will develop a positive attitude to maths alongside a deep and secure knowledge that will allow them to make links in their learning and understand the application of these skills in relation to their everyday lives.

Science

At Shenley we aim to provide a skills led science curriculum which promotes curiosity and inquisitive brains. Throughout the school, we provide children with opportunities to develop substantive (subject knowledge and conceptual understanding) and disciplinary (working scientifically) knowledge through thought provoking teaching and learning.

Art & Design

At Shenley we provide an Art and Design education that engages, inspires and challenges our children. Our aim is to equip children with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. In addition, our curriculum intends to extend opportunity, raise aspiration and open children’s eyes to the world beyond their immediate environment.

D&T

At Shenley we aspire to enable the children to become designers, craft makers, digital programmers, engineers and architects, who have an ever-changing effect on our future world. Our Design and Technology curriculum facilitates the use of the creativity and imagination, real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Our aim is to provide children with experiences to develop their skills through this inspiring, rigorous and practical subject.

Computing

Children at Shenley Primary School will engage in a computing curriculum that gives them the life-skills that will enable them to utilise and embrace new technologies in a safe and socially responsible way. We recognise that it is vital to equip our pupils with the knowledge that allows them to communicate effectively and safely in an ever-changing digital world. We create cross-curricular opportunities for children to practise and perfect their skills. We want our children to become digitally literate independent users of technology and become responsible digital citizens.

The Computing curriculum at Shenley Primary School is divided into three strands:

Computer Science- The study of computers as machines and how they operate including programming, algorithms, variables, sequence, selection and repetition.

Digital Literacy- The skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices. This includes being knowledgeable and responsible users of technology, using the internet and other platforms safely and respectfully.

Information Technology- The ability to create, retrieve, combine and manipulate digital content. The understanding of computer networks, the world-wide web and the internet and how they operate.

Geography

At Shenley Primary School, our aim is to inspire pupils' curiosity and fascination about the world and its people and that this knowledge will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our carefully planned curriculum ensures our pupils are equipped with knowledge about diverse places, people and resources; as well as giving them opportunities to explore natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

History

At Shenley Primary School, our aim is to cultivate a deep curiosity and fascination with the past, through a carefully planned and varied History curriculum. We encourage pupils to be inquisitive and investigative when exploring new topics, enabling them to form their own opinions and conclusions. We ensure that our children are given opportunities to make comparisons between their lives and the lives of people in the past using a range of sources and hands on experiences.

Music

At Shenley, our extensive music curriculum that aims to develop all pupils’ musical skills, knowledge, understanding and talents through a rich and diverse range of musical opportunities. We intend for children to gain a firm understanding of what music is by listening, appraising, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing, and composing across a wide variety of styles, traditions, and musical genres.

PSHE

At Shenley, we intend for our PSHE curriculum to enable our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society, which helps them understand how they are developing personally and socially, by tackling many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We provide our children with opportunities to learn about rights and responsibilities, develop the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions, secure a sound understanding of risk and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health.

PE

At Shenley, we intend for our curriculum to enable children to develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary for mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing now and for their future. We promote physical fitness as an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle and utilise the curriculum to demonstrate to children that physical activity promotes self-discipline and that to be successful you must work hard, show resilience and have the determination to believe that anything can be achieved.

RE

At Shenley Primary School, we aim to ensure that all pupils develop knowledge and understanding of world religions and their impact, whilst exploring personal and critical responses. We encourage pupils to reflect on the religious make-up of our school and support them in becoming religiously and theologically literate so they can engage in life in an increasingly diverse society. Our curriculum assists children in gaining shared human understanding, developing personal identity and searching for meaning in the context of evaluating different viewpoints.

French

At Shenley, we aim to foster children’s curiosity and help deepen their understanding of the richness of languages in the world, not only in KS2, but also with opportunities earlier in their learning journey.  Our intended curriculum allows children to gradually build on their language skills and enables children to deepen their understanding, it supports them to express their ideas and thoughts in French, and provides opportunities for them to interact and communicate with others for practical purposes both in speech and in writing. 

If you would like to find out anything more regarding our curriculum, please email the school: admin@shenley.herts.sch.uk or phone the school office on 01923 855864.