At St James, we teach the curriculum through a themed approach.  All Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum objectives have been grouped into termly themes.  Lessons are specifically planned to develop certain skills, concepts, knowledge and understanding.

The aims of the curriculum are to:

• Provide a stimulating environment where learning is fun and creates a positive attitude towards learning.
• Offer all children equal access to a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Ensure that all children have equal opportunities.
• Enable every child to develop intellectually, creatively, physically, socially, morally, spiritually and emotionally to the best of their ability.
• Prepare children for the next stage in learning by equipping them with the basic skills for their future.
• Enable children to have respect for themselves and high self-esteem, to learn to be adaptable and to be able to live and work co-operatively with others and independently.

To achieve our high standards in English we use the following schemes and resources to support our children’s learning; Our Big Question Curriculum, Kinetic Letters (handwriting), The Write Stuff, and Read, Write Inc.

To support learning in maths, we have adopted a ‘hands on’ approach which is supported by Power Maths.  This is a mastery programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement whilst nurturing confidence. 

Our Big Question Curriculum:

Big questions help the children see how all aspects of their learning are connected. Through investigative learning (enquiry-based) and practice, we show children how to apply their transferrable skills in all curriculum areas. We intend this to ensure long-term memory and skill application. Our topics are organized into ‘home’ and ‘away’ themes, encouraging children to explore how they fit into the wider world.

The outdoor curriculum and environment:

We fully believe that outdoor areas can play a key role in children’s engagement with learning and their motivation to succeed. Activity-based learning in the outdoor classroom is a highly powerful tool; it is not only crucial to a child’s emotional and social development but presents a whole new educational experience too. Each year group has direct access to their own ‘outdoor classroom’ where the children can take part in imaginative and inventive play-based learning; they can also learn the importance of taking risks and overcoming challenges and obstacles. This area also presents an array of opportunities for children to take part in both independent and collaborative experimental learning and allows them to consolidate learning and build upon existing ideas for future success in life.

Children with special needs:

The curriculum in our school is designed to provide access and opportunity for all children who attend the school. If we think it necessary to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of individual children, then we do so only after the parents of the child have been consulted.

If a child has a special need, our school does all it can to meet these individual needs. We comply with the requirements set out in the SEN Code of Practice in providing for children with special needs. If a child displays signs of having special needs, his/her teacher makes an assessment of this need. In most instances the teacher is able to provide resources and educational opportunities which meet the child’s needs within the normal class organisation. If a child’s need is more severe, we use the support provided by Teaching Assistants, and we involve the appropriate external agencies.

The school provides an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) for all children who are on the special needs register. This sets out the nature of the special need, and outlines how the school will aim to address the need. It also sets out targets for improvement, so that we can review and monitor the progress of each child at regular intervals. Progress against IEP targets is recorded in the child’s individual IEP book.