Our Curriculum Choices
Why have we made particular curriculum choices?
Why The Way The Truth and the Life? (RE)
This programme guarantees continuity and progression in our RE teaching. It has been developed by the Teachers’ Enterprise in Religious Education and is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Religious Education Curriculum Directory.
Why Read Write Inc.? (Phonics)
We have chosen to use Read Write Inc Phonics to support the development of our children’s reading regardless of socio-economic status, special need or language status. It provides a whole-school approach to teaching phonics and early reading. The impact of this programme means that we consistently achieve strong outcomes in the annual Year 1 Phonics Screening.
‘Success in reading is a more important driver of social mobility than socio-economic status (OECD, 2002)’ EEF, 2018
Why The Power of Reading? (English)
The Power of Reading is a book based approach to English. We use the texts promoted by the CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Schools) to teach and to develop our children’s skills in both reading and writing. It is a programme built on years of research and best practice. The programme supports attainment in writing and vocabulary; this is important for us as many of our children come to us with English as an Additional Language.
Why Ark Mathematics Mastery? (Maths)
This programme gives our children a deep and conceptual understanding of maths. The Educational Endowment Fund found that the programme is proven to give pupils an average of two months progress compared to other pupils in comparison schools.
Why Plymouth Science? (Science)
This programme contains pre-learning from previous year groups and lessons and cross curricular links across modules. It contains detailed lesson plans including knowledge, working scientifically and scientific enquiry objectives. It includes hands on learning and metacognitive approaches: mini quizzes, recapping, revisiting knowledge. We have built on this programme by including an aspirational study of inspirational scientists across KS2.
Why have we developed our own programme for History and Geography?
We have developed our own history and geography programmes which are rich in knowledge and make reference – where appropriate – to our local area. We want our children to think deeply about the historical and geographical knowledge presented to them and so, throughout these programmes, there opportunities for discussion and questioning; these are marked by the terms Rosary Historian and Rosary Geographer.
Why our own programme for Italian? (Modern Foreign Language)
Our MfL teacher is Italian and has developed a programme that teaches the foundations of conversation and written Italian, whilst also engaging our children by linking with topics that they already study, such as The Epiphany in RE.
Why Get Set for PE? (PE)
We use a high quality PE programme that encourages our children to explore their creativity and to develop a positive connection to movement. Our children are physically active learners who are confident and competent in their PE skills and knowledge.
Why iLearn2? (Computing)
The intent of iLearn2 is to help pupils become independent, creative, safe, respectful and problem-solving digital citizens with a broad and transferrable set of skills. It is built upon 3 strands: Computer Science (code writing, using web based software, using interactive games and text-based language); Information Technology (the use of applications to create digital content, including document creation and editing, video making, digital art, graphic design, animation, 3D modelling and website building); and Digital Literacy (skills to find, evaluate, utilise and share using technologies and the Internet. This also includes important e-safety and internet research skills, as well as an understanding of computer networks).
Our children build upon skills and concepts established from the previous year and develop them further in the current and subsequent year. The e-safety
skills are mapped to the Education for a Connected World Framework.
Why AccessArt? (Art and Design)
We wanted an art curriculum that is knowledge-rich and that gives our children a wide range of skills and progression in what they can achieve creatively. AccessArt builds self-knowledge and exposes them to a wide variety of media, techniques, approaches and artists.
Why Projects on a Page? (Design and Technology)
We believe that Design and Technology is about providing opportunities for our children to develop their knowledge and understanding to create quality products. Projects on a Page nurtures creativity and innovation through design and helps to develop our children’s skills through collaborative working and problem-solving.
