The Curriculum
Working with a local artist on temporary
We have a school characterised by excellence in learning and teaching, where our professional team share a commitment to achievement for all. We are passionately committed to our own professional development and the quest for innovative ways of ensuring our children are enthusiastic, successful learners who understand their own infinite potential. We cultivate rich learning experiences through a dynamic, rich and relevant curriculum which is unique to our school and has been developed in partnership with experts in a range of fields. Our curriculum model is characterised by first hand experiences, interaction with real people
and visits to real places.
Cookridge Primary is an environment which invites all children to enjoy, experience and revel in the opportunities on offer, for we believe it is our duty to introduce our little learners to experiences which have the potential to become lifelong passions, interests and pleasures.. Our strong commitment to the arts, sport, international partnerships and global issues is evident during any one day in our school, both during and after the school day.
The National Curriculum and the Primary Frameworks for Literacy and Numeracy are our guides to the learning and teaching that takes place at our school, providing the children with a broad and balanced curriculum, but we don’t stop there. Teachers have traditionally had a creative approach to curriculum planning, thinking outside subject boxes in providing opportunities for pupils to use and apply subject knowledge and skills in order to deepen understanding as well as to promote community cohesion. We enhance and encourage further independent learning by being creative in identifying and organising areas of study which promote cross-curricular links. The children themselves are active participants in deciding which areas they would like to explore in depth - and the means by which they do so - and the staff are engaged in constant dialogue both across school and with experts from a range of disciplines outside of school to ensure the curriculum is constantly evolving into the most effective engine for our achievement.
Children learn through creative modules based around:
- Geography (e.g. our local environment, weather and settlements)
- History (e.g. the Romans, Victorian Britain and local history)
- Art (e.g. collage and digital media)
- Dance (e.g. from different cultures and modern forms)
- Design Technology (e.g. vehicles, toys and footwear)
- ICT (e.g. control technology, animation and video recording)
- Music (e.g. from different times and cultures, composing and performing)
Diversity and inclusion are strengths of our school. Our children come from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds, bringing with them a range of experiences. The school successfully recognises and values these experiences and reflects them by offering a curriculum which utilizes and celebrates their differences. All children in our school have equal access to our broad and balanced curriculum, and we provide support to ensure that their learning is meaningful and enriching.
During 2010-11, we developed our use of reflective learning journals, encouraging our children to become active participants in their own learning by noting their observations of their experience of particular sessions. The children’s observations are providing further insight into what makes a successful learning experience, which we are committed to perfecting in the coming years.
“I discovered it is hard to think of ideas that someone else hasn’t already done” (Molly).
“It was quite amazing how many different ideas people had” (Kate).
“I preferred doing it that way because it’s more fun when we get up and do something as part of a team” (Lewis).
“Everyone’s ideas were different, but I liked that – it was interesting” (Daniel).
“Always have a back-up plan” (Jordan).
“I got stuck, but I worked through it” (Chelsea).
“I enjoyed being able to make choices” (Carla).
