Curriculum

Our Curriculum

At Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School, we aim to:

• work together with parents and carers to create a friendly and caring, co-operative community where every child has a love of learning, and attends school every day.
• maintain a happy, caring environment in which children feel secure to grow and develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, culturally, spiritually and physically, to their full potential.
• inspire a love for learning, with each child developing a lively enquiring mind so that they have the ability to experiment, investigate, take risks, challenge, discriminate and make informed choices whilst at school and in their later life.
• give children opportunities to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to work both independently and collaboratively, and also to develop the responsible attitudes that will enable them to become active and caring members of the community.
• provide a relevant, broad and balanced education for all pupils that is coherently planned and sequenced so that pupils learn more and remember more as they progress through school.
• promote a positive attitude towards learning and have a high ambition to broaden the life experiences of our learners and equip them with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.
• have high expectations of work and behaviour.
• value the whole child and celebrate diversity.
• provide a varied curriculum to make learning fun, including the use of ICT, and where possible giving children first hand experiences.

Curriculum Intentions

Having extensively considered the common barriers to learning across our community, we have incorporated the following intentions into our curriculum:

• We will enable pupils to develop knowledge, understand concepts and acquire skills, and be able to choose and apply these in relevant situations.
• Ensure there is equal access to learning for all pupils.
• Ensure there are high expectations for every pupil with appropriate levels of challenge and support.
• Promote and support language development.
• Promote and encourage a love of language and reading.
• Support pupils’ physical development, to enable them to be active and to take responsibility for their own health by encouraging them to pursue healthy lifestyles.
• Support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and enable them to be aware of and take responsibility for their actions.
• Promote the learning and development of our youngest children through high quality EYFS provision.
• Work in partnership with our parents and encourage families to learn together with us.

Curriculum Subjects

Mathematics

At Fiddlers Lane we believe ‘Everyone Can Do Maths’.

We aim to develop assured, happy and resilient mathematicians who relish the challenge of maths. We strive for all our pupils to become independent, reflective thinkers, whose skills not only liberate them in maths but also support them across the curriculum.

We are committed to working together to be and give the very best, and to make a difference to every pupil.

For this reason, we have chosen White Rose Maths Scheme as the basis for delivering the National Curriculum mathematics objectives. 

Our staff are highly trained in delivering engaging maths lessons, where every child succeeds. We have a specialist maths teacher, trained dyscalculia specialist who works with pupils and teachers at Fiddlers Lane to ensure all pupils succeed.

Across the school, extra fluency sessions are timetable where ‘number sense’ is a focus. Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 are also delivering NCTEM’s ‘Number sense’ teaching, meaning all children are developing their number knowledge and fact recall by using a ’rekenrek’.

Homework at Fiddlers Lane for Maths is oral, as we recognise that recall of key facts such as number bonds and times tables are a high important skill! Parent handbooks are available for KS1 and KS2 full with great ideas on how to practice with your children.

In Early years we develop a strong grounding in number using practical resources to develop understanding and vocabulary. We have many opportunities across our provision for pupils to develop special and reasoning skills.

English

Speaking and Listening

At Fiddlers Lane, we recognise that language provides the foundation of thinking and learning and underpins the development of reading and writing.  We aim for children to be able to speak clearly, fluently and coherently, to be able to listen attentively with understanding, pleasure and empathy and contribute to group discussions effectively.   From Nursery, right through to Year 6, we place a great emphasis on creating a language rich environment, using stories and conversations to develop vocabulary and understanding.   ‘Book talk’ is woven into our curriculum in order to develop the quality of children’s spoken language – expanding their vocabulary and their understanding of both the spoken and written word. 

Phonics

The knowledge, skills and understanding that constitute high-quality phonics work is taught as the prime approach in learning to read and spell at Fiddlers Lane.  Our pupils learn to read and write effectively and quickly using the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme.  Direct teaching of phonics takes place every day from the start of the Reception year. We make sure that pupils read books that are closely matched to their increasing knowledge of phonics and the common exception words. Alongside this, children are encouraged to take home books from their class library so they get to know a range of books and develop a love of reading as well as simply learning to read. The children also practise reading (and spelling) what we call ‘tricky words’, such as ‘once,’ ‘have,’ ‘said’ and ‘where’.

Reading

At Fiddlers we believe that reading is the key to a child’s success and is at the heart of our curriculum.  Our priority is both the teaching of reading skills and fostering an enjoyment of literature, enabling children to become lifelong, confident, fluent readers. In order to achieve this, we ensure that children at Fiddlers Lane have access to a full and rich reading diet. Each class has a well-stocked book corner with a diverse range of books which children are encouraged to take home and share with parents.  All pupils, from year 1 to year 6, receive a daily guided reading session.  Pupils have extensive experience of listening to, sharing and discussing a wide range of high-quality books with their teacher. 

Writing 

To develop our children as writers, we provide an appropriate balance between fiction, non-fiction and poetry within opportunities to write for a range of purposes and audience.   We have a structured text based approach with each unit of work being progressive in terms of objectives and challenge of quality and diverse texts.

Across all year groups, teachers make the writing process explicit for children by modelling effective and precise vocabulary choices and the application of grammar, spelling and punctuation skills.

Science 

At Fiddlers Lane we believe everyone is a scientist. From Nursery we encourage exploration of the natural world though our grounds and the local area. We encourage pupils to talk and develop their vocabulary regarding the changes they see around them.

In science lessons we aim to promote curiosity and believe asking questions and experimenting creates enthusiastic and inquisitive learners.  Taking part in discussions and investigations, supported by the use of practical resources, allows the children at Fiddlers Lane to explore and be excited about the science in the world around them. Hands-on activities in every topic; the opportunity to ‘do’ rather than just watch by going on trips to museums, taking part in whole science days and bringing the microscopic to life via VR, helps to make every child feel like a scientist! 

We are lucky to extensive school grounds where pupils can observe nature. We have several growing areas and a video link to our bird box where we watch chicks grow and develop each year. At lunch times pupils can identify wildlife using books and keys. 

Geography 

The Geography education at Fiddlers Lane aims to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about our world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. From EYFS to year 6 we encourage enquiring minds and developing responsible attitudes are encouraged through making learning fun and engaging.

Our grounds give pupils opportunity to learn about mapping first hand including the use of our orienteering course.

Digital resources such as Digi Map enable pupils to compare different maps including historical maps of the local area.

We have drama visits from Freshwater Theatre company, Virtual Reality headset experience days and trips into the local area are used to supplement and further enhance the children’s learning of the wider world.

All our class libraries contain a wide range of quality fiction and non-fiction books linked to learning in geography, which encourage further reading and research.

 History

At Fiddlers Lane we strive to provide a high-quality history education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim to inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching equips pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time.

 Some of the trips and visitors include Virtual Reality sessions; a visit to Chester for a Roman Day and handling ancient Egyptian artefacts at Manchester Museum.  Artefacts help bring the history curriculum to life across all year groups. 

PE

In our PE lessons, we aim to ensure pupils are confident, safe and enjoy a wide range of physical activities. The objective of this breadth of opportunity is to enable pupils to discover their own aptitudes and preferences for different physical activities and sports – through an equal balance of dance, games and gymnastic activities.

 During physical activities children should develop skill, knowledge and understanding and positive attitudes towards physical activity. They can also develop ideas in a creative way, selecting and applying skills and tactics. By setting targets for themselves; competing – individually and in team situations – opportunities can also be exploited to raise self-esteem and a sense of fair play and sportsmanship. 

P.E. offers chances for children to understand what it takes to persevere, succeed and acknowledge others’ successes. We believe that enjoyment should be central to physical education so that positive attitudes to participation can be nurtured whilst developing the skills of balance, coordination and agility, along with strength and stamina.

Music

At Fiddlers Lane Primary School, we value music as a powerful and unique form of communication that can impact upon the way pupils feel, think and act. It increases self-discipline, creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and helps people connect with history, culture and the wider world. Participating in music connects people and creates a sense of achievement which is essential to raising self-esteem.

In the early years’ pupils enjoy singing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs. Pupils perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others, and enjoy moving in time with music.

For year1 1-6 we use the ‘Charanga’ Musical School Scheme to deliver the National Curriculum. We use ‘Charanga’s’ vast library of songs, resources and listening activities to celebrate the world’s greatest music.  In ks2 children have the opportunity to work with MAPAS (Music and Performing Arts Salford) They provide weekly whole class instrumental tuition and the children’s work culminates in a live performance at the Lowry Theatre.

Skills they have learnt during music lessons in year 4 are built on in years 5 and 6 as pupils continue to develop their performance skills using glockenspiels.

During KS music assemblies, children get opportunities to sing and listen to a broad range of music from different times and cultures.

Computing

At Fiddlers Lane we believe that every child should have the right to a computing curriculum that champions excellence; supporting pupils in achieving to the very best of their abilities. From nursery to year 6, we understand the immense value technology plays not only in supporting the Computing and whole school curriculum but overall in the day-to-day life of our school. We believe that technology can provide: enhanced collaborative learning opportunities; better engagement of pupils; easier access to rich content; support conceptual understanding of new concepts and can support the needs of all our pupils. To deliver this we use a scheme called Purple Mash.

The scheme of work supports our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that the scheme of work more than adequately meets the national vision for Computing.

Online safety also has a high profile in our school. We ensure that we have a relevant up-to-date online safety curriculum from EYFS to Y6 and an online safety policy which clearly states how monitoring of online safety is undertaken and how any incidents are dealt with.

Art

At Fiddlers Lane Primary School, our children are artists! 

We encourage our children to love art, craft and design by providing an Art curriculum that is designed to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, whilst equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be able to experiment, invent and create their own works of art. Our curriculum is accessible to all abilities, enabling children to grow in confidence in their own skills and develop and express themselves as individual artists.

 In EYFS pupils use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

 As pupils progress, they should gain a deeper understanding of how Art and Design reflects and shapes our history, and how it contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our world. We want our children to use the local area as inspiration, to learn from other cultures and to respect diversity. Therefore, we have carefully selected a wide range of unique and diverse artists, craft makers and designers for children to study and have planned opportunities for children to visit the Art galleries and museums of our surrounding areas such as ‘The Lowry’ and ‘Salford Museum’. 

Religious Education

R.E teaching at Fiddlers Lane contributes dynamically to children’s education by provoking challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. In nursery and reception, pupils begin their journey by discussing exploring different religious, using their own experiences and stories shared in class.

 Through KS1 and KS2 in R.E, children learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts, to discover, explore and consider different answers to these questions. They learn to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources, to develop and express their insights in response, and to agree or disagree respectfully. Our teaching therefore equips pupils with systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identities. It develops in pupils an aptitude for dialogue so that they can participate positively in our society, with its diverse religions and worldviews.

 At Fiddlers Lane Primary School, we follow the Salford Agreed Syllabus through which children learn to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to differ. To develop the children’s understanding of different places of worship, such as local churches and synagogues. We also hold our Christmas Carol Service at St. Paul’s Church in Irlam.   

PHSE

PSHE underpins life at Fiddlers Lane Primary School. We believe that nurturing happy and heathy children is central to all aspects of their learning and development. We believe that children should acquire the ability to make informed, healthy and moral choices in their lives and it is our view that children should feel empowered to play a positive role in the school and the wider environment. 

The school has a powerful combination of a planned thematic PSHE program which is designed to: 

• Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle
• Develop confidence and self esteem
• Develop healthy relationships with other member of the school and wider community and understand what constitutes a good relationship
• Have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make informed choices
• Be aware of safety issues
• Have respect for others
• Be an independent and responsible member of the community

At Fiddlers Lane, PSHE is taught in a variety of ways. In Early years, from their first day at school, we focus on developing pupils’ understanding of their own feelings and those of others, building up their confidence and rising to challenges. We encourage all pupils to work co-operatively, take turns and show sensitivity to the needs of others.

In KS1 and KS2 some of the PSHE curriculum is delivered though other subjects such as literacy, science; or P.E. We also have weekly PSHE lessons where high quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching helps prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.  

PSHE is also developed through school events such as assemblies, visitors and themed weeks. Our residential visits focus on developing pupil’s self-esteem and giving the opportunities to develop leadership and co-operative skills. We also appreciate that many aspects of PSHE learning occur unplanned, such as, incidents arising in class and current world events.

 PSHE at Fiddlers Lane Primary helps enable children to become confident, independent members of society with an awareness of their rights and responsibilities as individuals and as part of a diverse society.