Welcome from the Principal
CLICK
CLICK – Creative Learning Inspires Clever Kids
Here at Netherhall St James we are committed to providing a creative, skills based curriculum which is personalised to meet the needs of our pupils. We believe that our curriculum enables pupils to have the requisite skills to be successful, resilient and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education.
Our CLICK topics have been planned by staff to engage and challenge pupils by rooting the skills they need in exciting contexts, such as ‘To Infinity and Beyond!’ our Year 1 space topic, or ‘Where in the World Would You Go?’ Year 2’s Around the World in 80 Days topic. The curriculum is planned to recognise and meet the individual learning needs of each pupil and is differentiated to ensure learning opportunities are both stimulating and ability appropriate. We put great emphasis on providing first-hand experiences that challenge, stimulate and provoke pupils thinking. As part of this each topic begins with an ‘Inspiration Day’ which kicks starts the pupil’s curiosity by providing them with an exciting experience. For example our Year 1 pupils had an exciting visit from some amazing animals to launch their Animal Antics topic.
Many of our units of work continue to have more mini inspiration days throughout the term. In every year group the CLICK topics bring together all the key aspects of the curriculum; science, art, DT, history, geography, music, computing in a fun and creative way. Lots of opportunities also arise for cross curricular links to be made allowing the pupils to carry out pieces of writing or mathematical investigations based around their current topic. These ever-evolving units are continually adapted and improved through careful evaluation and feedback. We also make sure our curriculum meets the requirements, content and challenge of the primary National Curriculum. In addition to the skills we believe the pupils in our community need.
Art Curriculum
Intent of the Art Curriculum
Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
Computing Curriculum
Intent of the Computing Curriculum
All pupils at Netherhall St James Nursery and Infant School have the right to rich, deep learning experiences that balance all aspects of computing. With technology playing such a significant role in society today, our high-quality CLICK Curriculum for Computing aims to provide opportunities to prepare our children effectively and safely for this digital world.
We provide our children with a wide range of technology such as: computers, iPads, programmable toys, cameras and interactive whiteboards allowing them to continually practice and improve the skills they learn. We believe ‘Computational thinking’ is a skill children must be taught from an early age to ensure the children are continually practicing and improving the skills they learn.
We focus on 3 areas in computing- computer science, information technology and digital literacy.
The understand the core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.
DT Curriculum
Intent of the DT Curriculum
Our high quality CLICK Curriculum in Design and technology will ‘inspire the creativity and imagination in pupils to design and make their own products.’ (National Curriculum, 2019) Our children will gain a wide range of subject knowledge to apply their skills across different subjects. They will look at ways in becoming resourceful and innovative to take risks safely and become adaptable learners. Our rich curriculum will allow children to develop critical thinking and explore design and technology past and present. As our children leave key stage one they will be able to make contributions to creativity and the wider world.
Our milestone document is carefully thought out to include the statutory components of the national curriculum to ensure all children are progressing in their own learning journey throughout our schools.
Geography Curriculum
Intent of the Geography Curriculum
Our high quality CLICK Curriculum for Geography will inspire ‘equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.’ (National Curriculum, 2019) We work hard in providing a creative, skills based curriculum which is personalised to meet the needs of our pupils. Our rich and fulfilling curriculum allows children to explore and ask questions to inspire and challenge their learning. Children will have opportunities to learn more about the differences between human and physical process as well as gaining a deeper understanding of the earth’s features, including the landscapes and environments which develop and change over time.
Our milestone document is carefully thought out to include the statutory components of the national curriculum to ensure all children are progressing in their own learning journey throughout our schools.
History Curriculum
Intent of the History Curriculum
Our high quality CLICK Curriculum for History will ‘will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past.’ (National Curriculum, 2019) We work hard in providing a creative, skills based curriculum which is personalised to meet the needs of our pupils. Our rich and fulfilling curriculum allows children to explore and ask questions to inspire and challenge their learning. Children have the opportunities to learn more about the world they live in and the historical events and individuals which have shaped the current world around them.
Our milestone document is carefully thought out to include the statutory components of the national curriculum to ensure all children are progressing in their own learning journey throughout our schools.
Music Curriculum
Intent of the Music Curriculum
Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Our aim is to provide our children with high
quality music education which will engage and inspire them to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.
Aims The national curriculum for music aims to ensure that all pupils:
Perform, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions, including the works of the great composers and musicians.
Learn to sing and to use their voices, to create and compose music on their own and with others, have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument, use technology appropriately and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of musical excellence
Understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the inter-related dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.
At Netherhall St James we have adopted the Charanga music curriculum in Key Stage one to further ensure that our children experience a broad and balanced music curriculum that meets their needs and covers the National Curriculum outcomes.
Science Curriculum
Intent of the Science Curriculum
Through our high quality CLICK curriculum, we intend to develop children’s understanding of the world around them whilst also acquiring and developing specific skills and knowledge. This will enable children to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Science, today and for the future. Learning in science is taught through systematic investigations of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of their lives. Through investigative science we intend for pupils at Netherhall Infant School to continue to deepen their respect for the natural world around them and all its phenomena while also increasing their care and appreciation of it. We aim to foster and develop our pupils’ curiosity in the subject and ensure our curriculum provides children with the key skills to reach their potential in learning.
All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including making observations, planning and investigating, while also being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions. Specialist vocabulary for topics is taught and built up, and effective questioning to communicate ideas is encouraged.
Our milestone document is carefully thought out to include the statutory components of the national curriculum to ensure all children are progressing in their own learning journey throughout our schools.
Spirituality - links to the curriculum
Spiritual development at the heart of curriculum at Netherhall St James