Intent

At Parsonage Farm, we believe that every child is an individual and should be supported to become a confident, resilient, independent, lifelong learner and encouraged to ‘be the best that they can be.’

Our whole school vision:

‘We aspire for all at Parsonage Farm to feel valued and cared for, to have a continued excitement for learning, ensuring success as they journey onwards’

supports this.

Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum statutory guidance, with children following programmes of study in accordance with their age, stage and ability. Pupils in Nursery and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). These give clear objectives for the children to work towards, meet or exceed at the end of each key stage.

We have carefully created our curriculum to meet the needs and learning styles of all children. It has been designed around a set of progressive knowledge and skills, but the context in which these are delivered is tailored to each cohort of children dependent on their interests and needs. The knowledge and skills are planned so that the sequence enables children to know more, do more and remember more.

Our aim is for all children to leave Parsonage Farm with a sense of belonging to a community where they have developed the confidence and skills to make decisions, make connections and become lifelong learners, so that they are prepared for the next stage in their education. 

Implementation

Our curriculum is purposeful and meaningful for the children in our school at this time, based on first hand experiences and provides memorable experiences.

It includes units that relate to our local community and visits and visitors further enhance our curriculum. It is delivered through discrete subject teaching as well as cross curricular teaching, ensuring that children make links between the subjects. It is carefully planned to allow all children to be able to access the curriculum as well as achieve success from their starting points.

We believe that enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and high levels of engagement.

It is our belief that children will be most successful when school and home work in partnership.  Our curriculum for each unit is shared with parents and children are encouraged to continue their learning at home.  Feedback from parents tells us that children are excited by their learning and this is reflected in the things they bring from home to further enhance their learning.

Teachers monitor children’s progress and adjust their planning and teaching accordingly.  Assessment for learning checks for understanding and ensures progress is being made.  This is based on questioning, discussions as well as recorded work.

Impact

In Early Years classes, teachers are continuously assessing children through quality interactions in their play, group sessions and whole class sessions.  These assessments are on-going and inform a best-fit half termly assessment to ensure children are working towards our end of EYFS goals.

At the end of Year R, our GLD will be at least in line with National data.

In Key Stage 1, teachers informally assess children’s progress through a range of strategies which supports them to make a half termly formal assessment as to whether each child has met the objectives of each unit in the subjects taught.

Phonics Screening in Year 1 will be at least in line with National data.

At the end of KS1, children will be assessed against National Curriculum expectations for each subject and this information will be shared with feeder Junior Schools.  All children will be prepared for the next stage in their education.