Curriculum core

We have chosen the approaches below because they have a clear sequence of learning and come with excellent teacher training. This has helped us to continually offer our staff excellent training and ensure a consistency of delivery which enables ALL children to make good progress. (See our phonics and reading page in addition).

Core subjects – Writing

Our writing is underpinned by the pedagogical approach and approach of Talk for Writing. This enables our children to practice, learn and apply models of writing in a structured way. This has been very successful for our school and has particularly helped our boys to achieve well. This starts in Reception and is embedded and shown in our results where 82% achieved the expected standard, compared with 78% nationally. We want more children to get the higher standard and expect to achieve that this year.

  • Assessing writing – We use ‘No more marking‘ to compare our writing to other schools through the year. This allows schools to complete independent writing and receive a report ranking your school’s work against a national sample of over 150,000 pupils.

Core subjects – Maths

We have adopted the Mathematics Mastery approach to teaching. We also have a maths meeting during the day to reinforce key concepts and ensure our children are confident with number and mathematics principles. This starts in Reception. 87% of our pupils achieved the expected standard last year, compared with 79% nationally. We also more than the national average achieve the higher standard.

  • Assessing maths – We use NTS tests 3 times a year. This is a national benchmarked test which gives us information on ability and gaps in knowledge which we can then work on filling and plugging to help children reach high standards.

Core subjects – Science

We have adopted a curriculum plan for Science and are proud holders of the Science Quality Mark. Our scheme of work tracks back to skills taught in Reception and highlights knowledge already gained in order to build towards a more informed body of learning in Science.

  • Assessing Science – We assess every half term and identify gaps in knowledge which are then revisited frequently through quizzes or pre teaching depending on how well the knowledge is understood and embedded.

 

Curriculum
Our curriculum is bespoke to us and is driven by the fact that we want children to leave the Mill secure in their own identity; familiar with their own community and sense of family; skilled in making connections with friends and the wider world.
Pupil Premium
The pupil premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities. We continuously reflect on the best practice there is available in order to have the greatest impact.
Newsletters
Our regular newsletters are one of many ways that we celebrate their amazing successes, hard work and adventures. We always love to share how 'Forever Proud' we are of the children in The Mill community.