Our Curriculum
We provide a curriculum which ensures that children are intellectually engaged, motivated to learn, and achieve a deeper level of understanding so that they will be able to use and apply skills and knowledge. It supports and encourages all children to achieve – and then have the resilience to strive for more.
We enable our pupils to leave Birstwith School as fluent readers, enabling them to ‘open the doors to other subjects’; moving from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’, and we expose children to ambitious texts, broadening their literary heritage.
We want our children to be curious, asking questions and expressing opinions, in the appropriate time and manner, so they become active citizens - with a voice. In our nurturing Church School, children are encouraged to recognise and find strategies to work harmoniously together, learning to solve disputes and manage their feelings appropriately, in preparation for life.
We provide all children with a good education which allows them to thrive and flourish spiritually, academically and socially - whatever their start in life, helping them to achieve the highest possible outcomes. We are determined to open children’s eyes to the possibilities available to them and is our firm belief that the substance of our education prepares children for the challenges they will face in life and the next stage of their education. At the heart of our curriculum is our genuine desire to enable all children in our care to ‘to make full use of the gift God gave’ them, offering them the very best start in life.
Feedback
What do the children say?
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What do our parents say?
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What does Ofsted say?
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What does SIAMs say?
'The school’s vision is integral to shaping a broad and inclusive curriculum that supports the holistic development of pupils. Decisions regarding curriculum content and extra-curricular provision are rooted in this vision. This ensures that opportunities are tailored to meet the academic and personal needs of learners....This approach nurtures confident, reflective, and compassionate individuals who know that they have unique ‘gifts’ to offer the world. Knowing they have these gifts encourages pupils to succeed in every area of their learning.'
Our school lies in the heart of this small, rural community and knowing the barriers faced by our pupils, enables us to utilise the advantages and challenges being a small school offers; to provide bespoke learning, firmly anchored in the EYFS statutory guidance and the National Curriculum. We encourage our pupils to show tolerance, empathy and generosity towards difference. Our curriculum design helps our children to become:
- Effective communicators
- Good listeners
- Respectful and tolerant members of the community
- Curious and aspirational young people
- Knowledgeable learners
Our open and supportive ethos creates a positive climate, which provides all learners with solid foundations to support them to strive for their best, and take pride in their achievements. Our thorough knowledge of our children, context and community; has enabled all stakeholders to work together to ensure coherent learning at every step. Underpinning our curriculum is the strong place of our school in the community. We foster a genuine learning partnership between home and school and provide many opportunities for parents to become actively engaged in school life. Our curriculum, relationships, leadership opportunities, and School Council give children the opportunity to work democratically with others and become advocates of change.
We are responsive to children’s interests, current events in the local and wider world, and events in the school community, embracing opportunities to work collaboratively in partnerships in our local cluster of schools. Our curriculum has been carefully designed, planned and organised to ensure breadth, balance and depth for every learner in our school. Learning needs are analysed and the curriculum is tailored and personalised to ensure that every child is engaged, inspired and challenged. It weaves meaningful links between the core and foundation subjects and we view the arts, sport, humanities, computing and religious education as important aspects of our children’s education. We use assessment effectively to move learning forward and to inform planning.
Respectful behaviour is expected, modelled and recognised. Through daily routines; carefully structured lessons; high-quality teaching; and the use of specific programs; we teach the children that listening is a vital part of effective communication. We think that academic and personal development are equally important and we understand that children will not learn effectively, or be successful in their lives, if they are not able to handle their emotions effectively, and our strong PSHE curriculum supports this. Staff are excellent role models and are highly skilled in supporting children’s development of their emotional intelligence.
As a result, pupils at Birstwith School develop into self-confident, polite and caring young people with ‘a love of learning’ – and the academic and social skills to succeed. With our support, they make ‘full use of the gift God has given them’.
Please explore our pages for more information about individual subjects.
Should you wish to have further information regarding our school's curriculum, please arrange a meeting with Mrs Lyman through the school office.