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.