CURRICULUM 

Curriculum Statement

At Cotteridge Primary School, the depth and quality of the curriculum is extremely important. We endeavour to provide excellent teaching and learning experiences for all children in all subjects. Our aim is for our children to have an excellent education, which prepares them for life at secondary school and beyond. This involves the delivery of first class teaching and learning both inside and outside of the classroom.  

Learning is the purpose of the whole school and is a shared commitment between children, parents, staff, governors and the local authority.  Working in partnership, we aim to provide a curriculum which will:

  • recognise the needs and aspirations of all individuals and provide opportunities for all pupils to make the best possible progress and attain the highest personal achievements;
  • ensure children can develop as literate, numerate and technologically competent individuals, within a broad, balanced, exciting and challenging curriculum that will prepare them for a rapidly changing world;
  • provide rich and varied contexts and experiences for pupils to acquire, develop and apply a broad range of knowledge, skills and understanding;
  • promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, physical, mental and emotional development of the pupils;
  • develop individuals with lively, enquiring minds, good thinking skills, self-respect, self-discipline, positive attitudes and a capacity to learn and work both independently and collaboratively;
  • develop children’s confidence, develop enduring values of respect, honesty, equality, integrity, tolerance, fairness and trust;
  • encourage children to value the diversity in our society and the environment in which they live;
  • encourage children to become active and responsible citizens, contributing positively to the community and society.

We follow the programmes of study for individual subjects as outlined in the National Curriculum in England: Primary Curriculum 2014. An overview of how these individual subjects are taught at Cotteridge can be found to the right.  

All subjects are actively led by a trained subject leader who has responsibility for the quality of education being taught at school. All subject leaders are responsible for:

  • ensuring their subject is being delivered according our vision, across the school;
  • analysing assessment data and pupil views to ascertain strengths and weaknesses;
  • monitoring learning environments, books and teaching to ensure standards are high;
  • determining the intent and progression in their subject across the school and that the pitch of lessons is right;
  • assisting with curriculum design and planning their subject in their own and other year groups;
  • organising CPD for the staff to develop their subject;
  • ensuring that the statements of National Curriculum and the curriculum intent for their subject are covered;

Although a termly topic-based approach is used for the teaching of non-core subjects like history and geography, the overriding principle is that individual subjects are taught with rigour. Our aim is to avoid tenuous topic links to ensure good quality learning experiences for our children are maintained within the context of the national curriculum.  

Where possible we use the professional training, guidance and advice provided by the subject associations, for example, The Geographical Association, The Design and Technology Association, The National Association for Education in Art and Design and The Historical Association. We also draw on these associations to provide high quality teaching resources but an associations’ resources are not used exclusively.  

It is imperative that there is a progression of subject skills and knowledge as the children move through the school. Working with class teachers and senior leaders, individual subject leaders have designed the curriculum to ensure that skills and knowledge develop as the children move through EYFS to KS1 and KS2. Subject leaders and the senior leadership team regularly check work to ensure that the pitch and quality of lessons meet the progression expectations as well as the curriculum intent.  Senior Leaders have overall responsibility for the curriculum and work with subject leaders to ensure that year group end points for their subject fit with the national curriculum and appropriate progression in their subject.

The Whole School Topic Map shows the topic titles for each year group whilst a more in depth look at the curriculum for each year group on a term by term basis can be found in the Our Curriculum page of our website. Each year group’s curriculum is updated on a termly basis.

Like all aspects of school life, the curriculum is designed to be accessible to every child including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). It is expected that all children have the opportunity to learn in a creative and encouraging learning environment, which encompasses a range of learning and teaching styles. In most instances, class teachers will be able to provide the resources and support required to enable SEN children to access the curriculum at a level appropriate to them. The senior leadership team may feel that it is necessary to modify the curriculum in order to meet the needs of children with more significant Special Educational Needs and this will be decided in consultation with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. Further detail can be found in the SEN policy.  

In line with our school ethos of Achieving Excellence and Inspiring Dreams, our exciting topics, along with relevant, regular and stimulating school visits ensure our children achieve a well-rounded education. We also often welcome visitors into school to deliver specific sessions relevant to the children’s learning. For example, this might be to learn about animals or people who help us. We have also welcomed members of the world renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to perform for our children.

In order to provide school wide experiences, we have an annual Art Day, Music Day, Science Day and World Book Day. During these days, the children are immersed in the relevant subjects and have experiences that otherwise may be difficult to deliver.

In the summer term, we also celebrate Diversity Week, where the heritage and traditions of our diverse school community are celebrated. We enjoy welcoming many visitors into our school during this important week.