Introduction

Children follow a broad and balanced curriculum which follows the 2014 National Curriculum for English, Maths, Science and Computing. Waycroft MAT has the freedom to choose its own curriculum therefore History, Geography, Art, Music, Design Technology, PSHE and PE are taught through themes and topics which our pupils find engaging and challenging. There is a major focus on global citizenship. MFL is also taught in Key Stage 2. Computing permeates all subject areas with children developing their skills from the Nursery to Year 6.

Within the curriculum there are opportunities to develop spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding; eco awareness is also high profile.

Religious Education: RE must be taught in all schools, in the MAT it is taught in accordance with Bristol’s agreed syllabus. Assemblies and collective worship cover a range of pertinent topics within a Christian tradition. Parents have a right to withdraw their child from assemblies or from religious education lessons.

Personal Social Health & Relationship education (PSHE): This is taught regularly covering a range of topics including sex education, drugs awareness, health and safety and citizenship. Parents wishing to view the material used should contact their child’s Head of School.

Library: All our schools have a well-equipped library which promotes a love of reading and therefore raises reading achievement. Children visit during lessons and in their own time. Our librarian organises special events, reading challenges, book fairs and author visits.

Further details of the curriculum can be found on the individual school’s websites.

Assessment

The Curriculum is continually assessed through observation, discussion, marking and periodic testing. This ensures any identified gaps in a child’s understanding can be addressed and future lessons are relevant and challenging. There are also statutory assessments at the end of each Key Stage, SATs in Y2 and Y6 as well as phonics tests for Y1. These and other assessment results are reported to parents annually as a part of each child's individual end of year report. In addition children receive an interim report at the end of each Autumn Term. Teachers in Academies with Reception children will also carry out a baseline assessment when children enter this class which focuses on observing the children involved in normal school day activities.

Learning Approaches

Teachers from the Multi Academy Trust schools work together, planning work and meeting with senior leaders to discuss progress to ensure we offer all pupils the same quality of education and opportunities.

The curriculum is delivered using class, group and one to one teaching, whichever the teacher feels is appropriate with pupils of all ages being encouraged to learn independently. Some work is topic based, and some taught as individual subjects. Mornings are usually used for Maths and English focusing on number work, problem solving, reading, writing, spelling and communication.

All lessons reference Guy Claxton’s Building Learning Power (BLP) to teach children the skills they need to be successful learners. Children are awarded BLP stickers when they display particularly good learning behaviours.

In every lesson teachers outline with children what must and could be achieved, whilst identifying challenges using Blooms taxonomy to develop higher order thinking. Differentiated planning is always in place for ‘out of step’ children who receive teaching assistant support usually alongside their peers in the classroom.

Our pupils participate fully in the life of the school and join in a range of additional activities as well as attending residential camps in Yr.2, Yr.4 and Yr.6. The experience of ‘living and learning together’ alongside friends away from home is invaluable.

Every aspect of the day is seen as a learning opportunity: the social occasion for family and friends at Breakfast Club; the food from around the world at lunch and the musician of the week featured in assembly. The detail is important and enjoyed.