Principles of Curriculum

1. Principles of Curriculum Inextricably linked to pedagogy Leading to higher standards Engaging Rooted in what we know about child development Broad and balanced Tailored (ie child centred) Skills based Based upon entitlement

2. 21st century pedagogy should be?????:- Informative/Useful Fun Full of Variety Skills –based Encouraging of independent learning Relevant to 21st Century! Motivating and engaging Tailored to the child’s starting point Makes best use of assets (child’s strengths, facilities, resources) and compensates for deficits (poor language skills)

3. “Folk” Pedagogy (Jerome Bruner) • Knowledge is “stuff”. • We need to “fill” children with it (children need to “know their stuff” –“Folk” Pedagogy (Jerome Bruner) knowledge is a commodity). • People’s learning theories are heavily influenced by how they were taught themselves – true of many parents??? • Also some teachers • children grouped but working alone and not encouraged to learn collaboratively (Galton’s research in the 70s and confirmed in the 90s). • default model – I tell you stuff then ask you to write about it.

4. A holistic approach to teaching and learning • Skills (Subject specific and thinking skills) which have to be taught • Attributes which have to be nurtured • Environment which has to be set up

5. Topics Suggested on Family Questionnaires • Castles/knights/kings/queens • Space • Earthquakes/volcanoes • Morecambe as a seaside town • Local history – Lancaster as a port, Morecambe fishing industry • Transport • People who help us • Fashion/music through a decade • Magic and mystery • Theatre and musicals • Robots • WWI and II • Inventors • Cars • Titanic • Artists • Insects and wildlife • Pirates • Countries* • An overarching topic such as ‘Change’ which could be applied to different curriculum areas

6. The Torrisholme ‘Bucket List’! • A visit to the theatre (musical, drama, ballet, opera, outdoor play?) • A live music concert • Cooking • Visit a farm • Learn to swim • Raise money for charity • Cultural residential • Train ride • Open top bus ride • Boat ride • Camping outside – putting up tents, campfire, cooking • School sleepover – stars/movies • Film making • Walk up a hill/mountain • Competitive sports • School swap • Outdoor activities such as canoeing, climbing, den building etc • Entrepreneurship • Career taster sessions • Visit the Power Station • Outdoor residential • Visit the seaside • A live sports event • Meet with people in the community – police/fire/lifeboats • Birdwatching • Visit different places of worship • Visit an art gallery • Visit a castle

7. The Non-Negotiables So Far… • Maths and English will be taught for a minimum of 5 hours each week. • Phonics sessions will take place every day in EYFS and KS1. • Each class will have a class novel/stories ‘on the go’ at all times. • Each class will take part in two hours of physical activity each week. • Every child will take place in a production each year. • There will be one culturally themed day each year. • There will be one whole school topic each year. • There will be one whole school event each year eg: a whole school picnic. • Each class will have a minimum of one outdoor experience each half term. • Themes will culminate in an event which provides an audience/purpose. Shared with parents? • Each term a minimum of one enhancement linked to a topic will take place in each year group.

8. Curriculum Aims We want the curriculum to enable all young people to become: • successful learnerswho enjoy learning, make progress and achieve • confident individuals who are able to live a safe, healthy and fulfilling life • responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.

9. What is special about your school and what makes it unique? Think in terms of assets & deficits • Children • Staff • Ethos • Standards • Environment What might you need to add to your school to enrich the children’s experience?