'With God, all things are possible.' Isaiah 60:22
Creative Curriculum
We follow a Creative Curriculum that covers the subjects of History, Geography, Art, Computing and Design & Technology and the National Curriculum requirements for each. Each subject is planned carefully so that skills and knowledge are built upon in a chronological sequence and time is given to revisiting prior learning which helps the children contextualise what they are studying within each year group.
Other subjects are taught as discrete subjects in their own right. We put a great emphasis on learning through experience and inquiry, providing opportunities for children to do, make, question and reason. School visits and outdoor learning opportunities enrich the children's learning in school in all year groups.
The whole school Creative Curriculum Topic Overview can be found here.
Click on your child's class page to find our what they are studying in their class this term...
History
Intent
Through learning about history, children are encouraged to ask questions about the world around them and to understand how to make sense of the world in which they live. A focus on local history and that of the wider world encourages pupils to think about how life has changed, and prepares them for a world that is ever-changing. The skills that pupils are encouraged to adopt, such as; philosophical thinking, referencing different sources and understanding events from different points of view should encourage empathy and understanding and help them to develop a deeper awareness of the world in which we live.
Implementation
The History curriculum follows a chronological route through periods of time. It is characterised by key learning features; social history (homes, food, dress, education, work), social structure (kingdom, monarchy, tribal, government) and placed in a coherent timeline, helping children understand how one period of history impacts on another.
Teachers use quality texts to support the history curriculum and provide opportunities for children to learn from a variety of historical sources, encouraging them to hone and refine their skills of historical enquiry. They interrogate historical events and figures by posing philosophical questions to help them understand their impact and consequences.
Impact
The impact of the curriculum is monitored in several ways to ensure that pupils all have access to a wide curriculum. Pupil opinions, assessment outcomes and progression, planning, work in books, discussions with teachers, plus learning walks and classroom displays are used to inform the quality of learning and understanding that pupils have gained.
Holy Family Progression of Skills in History
Geography
Intent
In discovering the physical and human geography of different places, pupils are encouraged to think about the planet that we live on as something that must be looked after and appreciated. By understanding how people live, and the cultural differences around the world, pupils are encouraged to be understanding and respectful of different people. As stewards of God's earth, we teach the children that we have a responsibility to care for the planet for future generations.
Implementation
Geography is delivered through topics and connections made with the culture or period in time that is under study. Practical and experiential learning is a key feature of the curriculum delivery and children are given the opportunity to practice and refine map and fieldwork skills, building on what they have learned before. The local area and school grounds are exploited to support the development of geographical skills and a local fieldwork week focus provides an enrichment opportunity to put these skills into practice.
The environment and its vulnerabilities are explored through Geography topics. Children consider philosophical questions and reason how human behaviour threatens the planet and its species.
Impact
As with History, the impact of the Geography curriculum is monitored in several ways to ensure that pupils all have access to a wide curriculum. Pupil opinions, assessment outcomes and progression, planning, work in books, discussions with teachers, plus learning walks and classroom displays are used to inform the quality of learning and understanding that pupils have gained.
Holy Family Progression of Skills in Geography
Art
Intent
Art and design stimulate creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences, and a special way of understanding and responding to the world which is fundamental for our children's creative development. It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think, through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes without the pressures of the written or spoken word. Participating in a range of art forms helps children become creative, responsive, critical and appreciative. They discover the value of focus, discipline and practice and the importance of working collaboratively. Responding to the work of other artists helps them to develop an appreciation of aesthetics, and enables insights into different viewpoints, identities and cultures.
Implementation
Our art curriculum is based on quality resources and delivered through a topic based approach. Art plays an important role across the curriculum. Skills, experiences and art appreciation are considered carefully and build on what has been studied before. Art provides opportunities for pupils to:
Foster an understanding and enjoyment of art, craft and design
Develop and encourage creativity and imagination through experimenting with a range of different tools and materials.
Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
Develop use of a range of tools, media and processes
Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
Know about great artists, craft makers and designers
Understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms
Develop their ability to observe, investigate, respond to and record the world around them through a growing variety of forms and media
Impact
The curriculum and its impact is monitored through constructive scrutiny of termly data, planning, monitoring of books and displays, lesson observations, learning walks, discussions with teaching staff and parents and pupil voice. The learning environment is testament to the priority given to the visual arts and this is regularly appraised as part of the monitoring and evaluation strategy.
Holy Family Progression of Skills in Art
Modern Foreign Languages
Across Key Stage 2, French is taught by Mrs Higgins. Children will follow the requirements of the National Curriculum and will take part in themed weeks and events throughout the year to teach them more about the culture and history of one of our closest European neighbours. Be sure to ask your children about what they have learned and encourage them to share their newly acquired skills at home. Click on the links below for your child's year group to find out the topics they will cover during the year.
The MFL Curriculum Lead is Mrs Higgins
Music
Music is taught discreetly as a subject in its own right and we use a scheme called 'Charanga'.
Children are exposed to music from different genres, cultures and places in time. They listen and appraise, compose, perform and have experience of a range of instruments including recorder and glockenspiel.
Each year, we stage a 'Music Day' during which all children perform what they have perfected as a result of following the programme and studying music related to their Creative Curriculum topic.
The Arts (including Music) Curriculum Lead is Mrs Marshall
Computing
Computing is delivered as a discrete subject but aspects of the curriculum overlap with other subjects and every effort is taken to increase children's understanding of the value and potential of Information Technology.
We use Barefoot Computing Resources and materials from Knowsley CLC Scheme.
The Computing Overview is can be viewed here.
The Computing Curriculum Lead is Mrs Rothwell.