Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

At Peter Gladwin we offer a creative and inspiring curriculum for all our children using a cross-curricular approach. Children are encouraged to ask and answer questions, to broaden their vocabulary and to apply what they have learned, developing a ‘Growth Mindset’ – a curiosity for knowledge and a passion for lifelong learning. They are guided and encouraged to think for themselves and to become responsible and independent learners. The education they receive offers both support and challenge, facilitating both enjoyment and success, preparing them for their future life and ongoing learning in our rapidly-changing world. Our child-focused learning encourages children to reach high standards in literacy, numeracy and personal and social skills. As a UNCRC Rights-Respecting School, we encourage and support children in following their dreams and continuing their education to the highest level.

Our Creative Cross-Curricular Approach

Every term each year group is introduced to a new topic by means of a ‘stunning start’, which may be a visitor (often in role), a workshop or other interactive experience. We know that children learn best when they are involved and active in their learning and when they can make meaningful connections. We ensure the momentum for inspiration and learning is maintained throughout each topic. This is achieved via a ‘marvellous middle’ (often a visit or trip) and a ‘fabulous finish’ which provides the opportunity for all children to showcase their learning at the end of term. We are proud of our gold award for Working With Others, equipping children with effective communication skills via the use of ‘I messaging’ and conflict resolution. We use both the TASC wheel and de Bono’s Thinking Hats to build children’s curiosity and critical thinking, along with their collaborative and investigative skills. Subject areas or specific subject content which cannot be integrated into topic work are taught discretely and via annual immersive themed days or weeks.

Our creative curriculum is built upon the aims, purposes of study and subject content of the National Curriculum 2014, allowing our pupils to work towards the attainment targets therein: The national curriculum in England - Framework document (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Our termly topics, topic maps and topic-related vocabulary are available on the class pages, as well as links to other useful learning support information – see links below. We welcome parents into the school and our staff always endeavour to help families in supporting their children’s learning and aspirations.

The Broader Curriculum and Enrichment

As a small school, we know our children and families well. We meet the needs of each child by assessing their current achievements, setting appropriate targets, and providing them with class, group and individual activities to take them forward to the next step in their learning. At Peter Gladwin we celebrate and encourage aspiration, reward perseverance and build resilience, celebrated in our weekly Golden Assemblies. We pride ourselves on our SEN and inclusion credentials. We have strong links with our local community and work closely with other local and international schools to broaden the range of experiences our children can access. Each Friday afternoon, all the children take part in enrichment activities such as gardening, cooking, creative projects and global awareness via our Creative Fridays initiative. We have developed outdoor learning environments and sensory areas, along with our school vegetable gardens, wild flower banks and bird-watching area. A broad range of activities are available through our after-school clubs, including dance, football, netball, karate, bike club, computer code club, keyboard and guitar lessons. The school takes part in the Brighton Festival Children’s Parade, artists’ open houses and the Let’s Dance project at Brighton Dome, and children are given regular opportunities to perform and present in school assemblies, drama activities and performances. Our children are given the opportunity to take part in inter-school sports tournaments and other sporting events, often with our specialist sports coaches. Our year 6 children go on an annual residential trip where they experience a wide range of outdoor and adventurous activities.

Sustainability and Globalism

At Peter Gladwin we prepare children to build a better future through educating them in sustainable approaches to living; this is achieved by promoting positive attitudes to food, sustainable travel and healthier lifestyles. Other themes in our sustainability vision include use of energy and water, local well-being, the development of global understanding and the promotion of global links. Global citizenship is at the heart of our school and our relationships. It runs as an important theme through many areas of the curriculum and is actively promoted through a range of activities, opportunities and responsibilities at the school. Our vibrant Pupil Voice initiative allows all children an active involvement in school improvements and a view on global issues, and we are proud of our Unicef Rights Respecting School Award.

Democracy and British Values

At Peter Gladwin, we teach pupils about British values which are defined as democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs (as published in June 2014 by the Department for Education). These values are taught through the curriculum and experienced explicitly through our school relationships and our celebration of diversity and inclusion. The school takes opportunities to actively promote British values through our whole school systems and structures. We value and model democracy, involving our pupils and school community in voting for issues such as our school values and motto. The children also have an active voice in many initiatives and school improvement matters via Pupil Voice groups, for example considering how to improve the school website, how to improve our outdoor learning environments and how to promote active lifestyles in our school community.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education

Development of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of learning (SMSC) is supported through our school ethos, our behaviour policy and through all areas of the national curriculum. A significant contribution is made by PSHE and religious education, and through assemblies. We celebrate diversity both globally and in our own community, ensuring children develop an understanding of their and others’ social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures. As a multicultural and multi-faith school, it is part of our school ethos to respect and understand other pupils’ faiths and beliefs. This is achieved through teaching children about world faiths throughout the curriculum and through celebrating special days and festivals from our children’s religious backgrounds and others. Our assemblies celebrate and explain festivals from all religious backgrounds, including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and Judaism.

Home Learning and Google Classrooms

We view home learning as an extension of learning in the classroom; it is designed to develop independence and a love of learning. We encourage parents to read with their children every day, even in Year 6! We work with parents in supporting their children’s learning at home via parent consultations, termly topic chats, workshops and information we publish about age-related expectations in the National Curriculum 2014. We work hard to ensure all PGS families can access online home learning via our Google Classrooms platforms. See links on year group pages for further information about home learning at Peter Gladwin.

Year R / EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework that sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children are ready for school and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.

EYFS planning is primarily led by the children’s interests but driven by the skills the children need to move their learning on. Our learning environment is well-resourced and exciting. Children have supervised access to indoor and outdoor areas throughout the day and in all seasons.

In our Reception class, children enjoy a wide range of play-based activities, which enable them to develop across the seven areas of learning within the EYFS:

Personal social and emotional development
Physical development
Communication and language
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design

These secure foundations then lead our children on to the National Curriculum beginning in Year 1.

Years 1 & 2 / Key Stage One

In Key Stage 1 we follow the National Curriculum 2014, comprising the following subject areas:

English (reading, writing, speaking and listening)
Mathematics
Science
Computing
History
Geography
Physical Education (PE)
Music
Design and Technology (DT)
Art and Design

We currently use a range of phonics teaching methods, including Phonics Play and TES Phonics. We use a range of ‘real’ books and reading schemes; our approach to reading texts is a key focus in 2016/17.

In addition we follow non-statutory guidance for the teaching of: