Our Creative Curriculum

At Thornford (VA) CE Primary School

Tuesday 24th May 2011

Format of this workshop

• Background & explanation – Hall• Creative Curriculum in Action – Teaching Staff - Hall• What does it look like in your child’s classroom - Classrooms

Why do we need to change our existing curriculum?

Did you know?

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Strict learning of duty, ethics, discipline, obedience

Deference

What is learning?How does our brain learn?

Your Turn…What was you BEST learning experience? Share!

Finding out what learners already know, can do and understand

Getting inside children’s mindsWhat are their knowledge, skills & understanding

Theory

If the children enjoy lessons more, they will achieve greater

things

If the teaching staff enjoy teaching the

subject matter, they will inspire their

children even more

Thinking and learning skills

Personal and emotional skills

Social skills

Essential literacy, numeracy and ICT

The ESSENTIALS for Learning & Life

Content – Six Broad Areas of Learning

• The arts• Science and technology

• Mathematics

• English, communication and language• Physical development, health and wellbeing

• Historical, geographical and social understanding

Creativity

Enterprise

Independence

The branches of learning reflecting major areas of human endeavour

and ways of thinking

Magnetism

Parts of a plant

Picasso

Churchill

The Romans

Rhythm

Properties of materials

Thinking skills

Personal skills Essential lit, num & ICT

Social skills

L2L skillsEnquiry skills

Creativity

Enterprise

Independence

The TrunkThe quality of pupils’ learning

experiences

Magnetism

Parts of a plant

Picasso

Churchill

The Romans

Rhythm

Properties of materials

Thinking skills

Personal skills Essential lit, num & ICT

Social skills

Enquiry skills L2L skills

Successful Curriculum ‘Tick-List’ (Ofsted)

• First hand experiences• Practical activities• Creative opportunities• Pupil independence & choice• Opportunities to work ‘in-depth’

• Visits & visitors• Fun & enjoyment!

Timetable – Effective Use of Time

20 Outstanding Primary Schools2009, ref. 090170 - Ofsted

• An interesting, stimulating curriculum is fundamental to effective schools

• These schools know their pupils well and shape the curriculum around them

How it works in action- Learning Journey example – pupils!

- Pupil involvement- Topics / Whole School / Themes

- Basic – Lit / Num / RE

Thornford vs. National Requirements – example

- Assessment

What can you do to support your child?

• The usual things good parents do……….

explore, question, engage, a variety of experiences, take interest, continue to support the core part of the curriculum – maths / english

Any Questions?

Joined Up Thinking!