At the Martin Wilson School, our rich and varied curriculum is designed to provide the best start possible for the life-long learning journey of each individual pupil. This is achieved in a learning environment that celebrates curiosity and embraces diversity. Our school was founded on principles of inclusivity which are reflected in all we do.
Curriculum Implementation
Skills and knowledge are taught discreetly in subject areas so that our children gain a broad understanding of each subject and know exactly which subject they are studying. However, the curriculum is designed to embed transferable skills throughout, without weakening essential skills based learning. The outstanding quality of our classroom environments serves to stimulate and engage higher order thinking.
We recognise the importance of feedback, both adult and peer, as an integral part of the teaching and learning process, and aim to maximise the effectiveness of its use in practice.
The ethos of the school reinforces equality of opportunity: this supports children in fostering respect for all people regardless of faith, race, gender, age, disability and sexual orientation. Our children learn about rights and responsibilities and they appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society.
We believe in every child’s potential. The curriculum is adjusted accordingly reflective of each learner’s needs, including disadvantaged and SEND children to ensure particular barriers are understood and there is equality for all. Equally we recognise the significance of challenge and encourage enquiry through exposure to different perspectives. The impact-a greater curiosity, a deeper, insightful curiosity and a readiness to learn independently.
Curriculum Impact
We plan our lessons with clear learning objectives. We base these upon the teacher’s detailed knowledge of each child, striving to ensure that all tasks set are appropriate to each child’s level of ability. Our lesson plans make clear the expected outcomes for each lesson. We make a note of those individual children who do not achieve at the expected level for the lesson, and we use this information when planning for the next lesson. We also keep this information as a record of the progress made by the class.
Day‐to‐day, on-going assessment is a crucial method of assessment which provides instant feedback to the teacher and ensures progress within every lesson. These strategies provide a clear picture of a child’s level of understanding and, ensure that teachers can quickly assess when a child does not understand and needs greater support. Lessons should be flexible enough to allow teachers to adapt to the needs of the child and outcomes are used to inform planning for subsequent lessons.
Progress is assessed regularly. At the end of each term, assessment data is gathered and progress is checked by subject coordinators and the Senior Leadership Team. We have high expectations for all children and where difficulties in learning are identified rapid intervention is put in place to remove any further barriers to learning.
What we teach and when
Maths
The Foundation Curriculum
English
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:
become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately
reason ma
The national curriculum for mathematics aims to ensure that all pupils:
become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that pupils develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately
reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, conjecturing relationships and generalisations, and developing an argument, justification or proof using mathematical language
can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions
Mathematics is an interconnected subject in which pupils need to be able to move fluently between representations of mathematical ideas. The programmes of study are, by necessity, organised into apparently distinct domains, but pupils should make rich connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency.
English
The Foundation Curriculum
English
The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written language, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils
The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written language, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:
read easily, fluently and with good understanding
develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences
use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas
are competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate