Developing independent, confident young people

The aim of Thomas Bewick C of E Primary is to provide opportunities for children to develop into independent and confident young people who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. Developing children’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural understanding is woven into school life; everyone is encouraged to ‘Let their Light shine’.

Curriculum Intent

At Thomas Bewick C of E Primary, we aim to provide a nurturing, safe environment where learners feel secure and confident to explore their potential, share their ideas and opinions and develop their understanding of the opportunities that await them.

We encourage children to be active and inquisitive readers and are developing their passion for reading from an early age. We support children to become resilient and inquisitive through providing them opportunities for reasoning and challenge. We encourage children to discuss and explain their reasons behind their answers.

Our curriculum ensures that local links are developed and the heritage of the coal mining community remembered and respected. Visits to the local area are encouraged so that children gain a better understanding of their local history.

The curriculum is designed to ensure depth and mastery through enquiry questions which promote engagement and deeper level thinking. Children are encouraged to ask questions, lead the learning and make links using prior knowledge. They are given opportunities to revisit learning: to improve their working memory and build layers of understanding. Our teachers work hard to secure children’s understanding of the curriculum through rich and engaging experiences within and beyond the classroom. We have high expectations of all our children and encourage them to develop independence, resilience and determination in all lessons to create an essential foundation for their future success.

Building knowledge and understanding

Our Primary curriculum is designed around well-crafted enquiry questions, within which our children build knowledge, understanding and skills systematically and cumulatively. Subjects are carefully considered for inclusion within each enquiry to ensure relevance and coherence. Our curriculum provides children with memorable experiences from diverse and rich opportunities, allowing everyone to learn from a knowledge-rich approach. The children’s own communities, their heritage and traditions are frequently used as a starting point for engaging interest. The Thomas Bewick C of E Primary curriculum is intended to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, and provide a purpose and relevance for learning.

The curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and small groups of children can be met within the environment of quality first teaching, supported by targeted, proven interventions where appropriate. As a result, positive impact is seen on pupil outcomes.

Skills for success

Our curriculum has a focus on skills and knowledge, direct focused teaching and child-led exploration, literacy and numeracy and a broad and balanced curriculum. Teaching through enquiry allows children to make connections between subjects and learning.

Developing a love of reading lies at the heart of our curriculum. It is our ambition that every child can read by the end of Year 2. In Reception and Key Stage 1 we use Read Write Inc. to deliver phonics. Listening to stories and choosing books for interest and pleasure encourages our children to start a lifelong interest in reading. You can find out more about reading for pleasure in our dedicated reading corner.

Musical opportunities are extensive; all children in Key Stage 2 have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument individually, as part of a small ensemble and as a whole class.

Thomas Bewick Primary promotes physical health and wellbeing. A range of sporting events gives children opportunities to access a wide variety of sports after school hours and during lunch times.

View our Long Term Plan below:

Subject Specific Powerful Knowlege and End Points

More information

Please use the links in the drop down menu above to access further information about our curriculum. Alternatively, if you have any specific questions about your child’s learning in a particular subject area, contact the school office on 01670 812075 and a member of staff will be happy to assist you.