Our Curriculum

The curriculum is exceptionally important to our school, our children and their development in the broadest sense.   Our intent is to ensure that all children maximise their potential, achieving the highest academic results possible whilst ensuring that they develop to be well rounded and confident individuals who have developed the ability to learn and take ownership of their own development.

We provide a curriculum which acknowledges Stanhope Primary’s unique characteristics and meets the needs of our children.  Our pupils will learn how to keep safe in all areas of life, as well as to become understanding British citizens who make a positive contribution to their community and wider society.  Aspirational expectations combine the acquisition of knowledge and the progressive development of skills to create a purposeful and imaginative learning journey for every child.

Across all areas of the curriculum we use adaptive teaching approaches to ensure that all children receive the support they need to succeed. On entry to school our Nursery and Reception children follow the Early Years Curriculum and develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through a combination of both play-based learning and more focused teacher-led sessions. Pupils learn to share, work independently and play with others. Our curriculum aims to give our children the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to take them on a journey which equips them to become happy, confident and capable in an ever-changing world. They will learn about places, people and events through hands-on, fun and engaging learning opportunities; Whilst developing confidence, resilience and collaborative skills.

Extracurricular activities play an important role in promoting development and self-esteem by affording pupils the opportunity to work cooperatively and express their aesthetic and physical skills.

Sex Education for KS2 children

As of September 2021 delivering a high quality sex and relationships curriculum is now a statutory element of the curriculum for all children. Questions about sex and personal relationships arise naturally in all sorts of school work, especially science and personal, social and health education. It is, therefore, important that children’s questions are answered sensitively and honestly in a simple and straightforward way, appropriate to their age, understanding and emotional development. During the course of the year the School will be visited by the School Nurse who will talk specifically to children in Year 5 and 6 about growing up, periods and puberty.

Extetded Curriculum

We believe that learning outside of the classroom is an essential skill for our children. We therefore ensure that our children have the opportunity to participate in a range of outings or visits. In addition to this we hold many themed activities in school to support learning. We also take the children out to the local area to support the work that they are doing in their curriculum themes. As children progress through the key stages they have the opportunity to explore learning in life-like situations during visits to places such as Beamish, Durham Cathedral, local castles and farms. In addition, we hold whole school days, all of which really stimulate the children’s interest in a new theme. World Book Day is always a popular ‘dress up’ occasion which reflects the children’s enjoyment of the books they read.

Physical Curriculum

Our physical curriculum is as vital as our educational curriculum, stretching bodies and minds in unison within a balanced and varied learning environment. Physical Education (P.E) and sporting activities, while helping children to understand the importance of all areas of health, mental, physical and emotional, also promotes healthy lifestyles while creating a sense of healthy competition both on the field and in the classroom. We provide a broad range of sporting activities including after school clubs, school sports teams and dance groups. Our teams regularly take part in inter school competitions from borough to national levels. From Year 3 children attend swimming sessions at The Hub. During the sessions children will receive coaching from a swimming teacher with the expectation that all children will be able to swim 25m by the end of Year 6. On the day your child has PE they will attend school in their kit.

Religious Education and Assemblies

The school has no religious affiliation but education about religion and moral aspects is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Local Authority as directed by the Education Act. Daily assemblies are an important feature and add to the corporate life of the school. Parents wishing to exercise their right to withdraw children from R.E. or assembly time should contact the class teacher.

Equal Opportunities

At Stanhope Primary School we aim to give every child equal opportunities by offering a broad and balanced curriculum relevant to their needs regardless of gender, culture, religion or ability.

Special Educational Needs Policy

Many children, at some time in their school career, will have a special educational need of some kind. The Education Act 1981, which provides for the identification and assessment of children with special educational needs and for the determination of the educational provision to meet those needs, came fully into operation on April 1, 1983. Where any child’s needs are deemed to be severe or complex, then the L.A. is required to assume statutory responsibility for implementing procedures. However, for the significant number of other children whose needs can be met from within the resources normally available to schools, and then it is the responsibility of individual schools to identify such children and make the appropriate arrangements to ensure that their needs are met and kept under review. Here at Stanhope Primary School it is the responsibility of each class teacher to identify the educational needs of all pupils including those with special educational needs and to look for assistance from colleagues and outside agencies where appropriate. We believe the key to progress for the schools provision for Special Educational Needs pupils is maximum involvement of parents, pupils and staff.

The parents of any child receiving additional support on a regular basis will be informed verbally at the first parents evening of the academic year. Parents of children in reception classes who are experiencing difficulties will be informed in the summer term.

Aims

The school aims to meet the educational needs of all pupils.

• It will offer a curriculum in which pupils with SEN will learn effectively.
• To ensure that the progress of pupils listed on the SEN Register is monitored and recommendations implemented.
• To encourage and support parents to be involved in their children’s education: Focusing on those of SEN pupils.
• To develop appropriate links with feeder schools, comprehensive schools, special schools and units.

Reporting on Children’s Progress at School

It is the School’s present policy to have two parents’ evenings per year, where parents have the opportunity to discuss in private with the class teacher the progress of their child. The school feels it is the responsibility of the parent to make the effort to represent their children on these occasions. Every child from Foundation Stage 2 onwards will be provided with a written report at the end of each academic year and for children in Years 2 and there will also be details of statutory assessment.

If you have any questions about our curriculum or policy’s please contact the school office.

Please click on the links below to access the Yearly Overview for Years 1-6 and the Maths Overview and Objectives for Years 1-6

The complete Primary National Curriculum can be accessed at: Click Here