The Curriculum at Crane Park

 

At Crane Park Primary School we believe in the concept of lifelong learning; both adults and children learn new things every day. We maintain that learning should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone; it should be fun. Through our teaching we equip children with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about the important things in their lives. We believe that appropriate teaching and learning experiences help children to lead happy and rewarding lives.

As a result of this, we cover a broad and varied curriculum, ensuring that all children develop a secure understanding and knowledge across all subjects by the time they leave primary school. Where possible, we make links between subjects, to ensure that children develop a broad understanding of the topics they are studying. Pupils in Year 1- Year 6 follow the National Curriculum 2014.

 

For the teaching of the humanities within KS1 and KS2, we use an enquiry based creative curriculum. This enables pupils to learn and develop English and mathematical skills across the curriculum and therefore understand that learning is a cohesive process.  The creative curriculum includes, Computing, History, Geography, Art, DT (Design Technology), Music and PSHE which provides opportunities for pupils to use their reading, writing, mathematical and communication skills through a wide range of learning opportunities. The enquiry based approach is a rigorous, learning-focussed curriculum that sets out to help children learn and develop academically, internationally and as people.

 
At Crane Park Primary, our regular Guided Reading takes place within KS1 and KS2 using The Big Cats Project.  In addition we also use intervention programmes to support our more and less able readers.  Our parent volunteers come into school to support our pupils with their reading development by hearing individual readers and small guided groups on a weekly basis.
 
Daily discrete teaching of phonics takes place throughout the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, following the Ruth Miskin Read, Write, Inc scheme. Additionally, phonic skills are applied through daily English lessons and across the wider curriculum.  At Crane Park Primary we have created our own spelling system based on the National Curriculum 2014 requirements.

 

Mathematics is taught daily both in discrete lessons and by applying mathematics skills across the curriculum. Our maths programme, based on the Craig Voller 2014 New Curriculum scheme, ensures full coverage of all the curriculum objectives as well as ensuring all pupils achieve their best through challenge and the opportunity to develop thinking skills. As developing fluency in mental mathematics is at the centre of the new curriculum, pupils participate in daily starter activities to embed this skill. 

 

Our Early Years Curriculum is centred on the “Development Matters” Document. This means that all EYFS pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum. They are taught skills for Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal and Social Development, Literacy, Numeracy, Understanding The World and Creative Development. They are then encouraged to practise these skills- this is the reason why play is so important in the Early Years. We believe children learn best when they plan activities for themselves and adults are available to support them in this. This allows them to be independent, exploratory, persistent, able to solve problems and proud of their achievements- skills needed for adult life. 
 

Computing at our school  is taught using the new 2014 National Curriculum as a secure basis.  It enables computing to be taught as discrete lessons following a progressive scheme of work for KS1 and KS2.  Computing skills are also applied across the wider curriculum through science, the creative curriculum, English and mathematics lessons.

 
The planning and implementation of science is in line with the new National Curriculum statutory requirements, each year group has individualised long, medium and short term planning which is adapted where necessary to meet the learners' needs.  Pupils are given opportunities to offer ideas to carryout investigations, set out fair tests, observe, draw conclusions and also develop their research skills. Our science programme incorporates the use of scientific vocabulary and pupils are able to use their scientific knowledge in other areas of the curriculum.  

 

In addition to the National Curriculum the school is also required to teach RE (religious education) which is directed from the Hounslow RE Syllabus. 
 
Music is taught in a variety of ways at Crane Park by utilizing cross curricular links with other subjects. We currently use our own scheme of work which provides teachers with a basis on which they can develop their lessons, ensuring all children receive clear lessons from confident and prepared staff. Music lessons offer all teachers the chance to make links with a range of other subjects including literacy, numeracy, science, drama and many more, so as to make learning fun and more accessible for all pupils involved. We have a range of additional music enhancement opportunities: all children in years 4 and 5 learn a wind instrument and some continue into year 6. 

 

We have specialist teachers for PE and music and have a wide range of extra-curricular clubs.

In PE we are proud of our varied extra-curricular programme including sports such as football, athletics, dance and cross-country running.  We encourage all pupils to attend and stay healthy.