Bradley Stoke Community School

Primary Curriculum  

In the Primary Phase at Bradley Stoke Community School we follow A Curious Curriculum.  This was designed and built in collaboration with teachers across the Olympus Academy Trust.  We ensure excellence in all subjects across the curriculum and teach through themes to enable children to consider an intellectual concept and answer enquiry questions.  Our teachers are imaginative in their planning and engage with current pedagogy to ensure high outcomes for all children.

Our Curriculum Themes

 About Our Curious Curriculum 

As a school in The Olympus Academy Trust, you can be assured that our wider curious curriculum model covers all aspects of a broad and balanced curriculum that will develop well-rounded learners. It concentrates on the axis where the curriculum and pedagogy meet, making an exciting and innovative way to look at not only what we teach but also how we teach our primary curriculum. The Trust believes that these 6 elements are at the heart of an excellent primary experience. Teachers will be expected to understand, develop and deliver on each of these 6 areas;

  • Learning environment
  • The English and Maths learning sequence
  • Metacognition and self-regulation
  • Our curious curriculum
  • Our emotionally literate curriculum
  • High aspirations and the importance of feedback and assessment

 

  • "The curriculum can look good on paper, but it is when it meets the learner that matters most. It is the skill of the teacher in bringing it alive that determines whether the learner makes progress or not. This is why the link between curriculum and pedagogy needs to be strong at every point in the chain from planning to assessment"

    Professor Mick Waters

Our aims

  • We will set high expectations and provide opportunities for all learners to achieve, responding to any learning needs.
  • We will offer learning experiences and environments that inspire learners to question the world around them, develop their ideas and grow as lifelong learners.
  • We commit to providing consistently high quality education based on current academic research and pedagogical principles.
  • Through a holistic approach we will ensure the development of our learners’ physical, social and emotional well-being. This will support their resilience and future life chances.

Pedagogical Principles

  • We will develop local/ national and global knowledge and understanding by providing enriching experiences, developing global citizenship, celebrating diversity and creating cultural capital.
  • We will be proactive in removing barriers to learning through; early identification, effective intervention improvement through partnership and raising aspirations.
  • We will provide a rich multi-sensory environment: that promotes, celebrates and provokes learning and reflects the importance of aesthetics and beauty.

Our Curious Curriculum

The Olympus Academy Trust Curious Curriculum was designed in conjunction with representatives from all of the Schools in the Academy Trust. The group was facilitated by Professor Mick Waters and was part of a two-year project with particular emphasis on the importance of consistency in the journey for learners between years 5-8.

Olympus believes that a learner’s experience in school should ensure not only the knowledge needed to access academic success, but also the careful development and progression of skills in discrete subject areas. The Olympus Curious Curriculum embeds a concept driven approach that incorporates both knowledge and skills in an enquiry-led thematic curriculum that is embedded in application and context. A great curriculum will be rooted in its own locality and context and will meet the needs of its own learners, whilst exposing them to the national and global requirements and expectations.

Our curious curriculum has been carefully designed to engage learners as active participants in their learning journey. We believe that learners are at their most successful when their imagination is stimulated, their curiosity is heightened and their learning makes links to their lives and the wider world. Our curious curriculum is a framework that develops creativity, critical thinking and discovery whilst ensuring a clear focus on the intellectual concept that is being taught and the knowledge needed to understand said concept. In teaching our curious curriculum, teachers will need to draw upon a wide repertoire of teaching styles. It will be essential that teachers understand the best way for learners to acquire certain aspects of the curriculum.

An Olympus Theme consists of:

An Intellectual Concept:

What do you want the learner to understand by the end of this theme? What wider concept or big idea do you hope that they will have understood, using the knowledge and skills taught over this period? The intellectual concept will be an understanding of an idea that has created change or continuity, has resulted in a consequence or significance, and is set in context and chronology. The concept cannot be understood without an essential grounding and understanding of specific knowledge, particular vocabulary and a foundation of understanding regarding context and relevance.

Through the eyes of the child.
‘Let me tell you about the big idea…This is all about…’

Knowledge Box:

What knowledge do the learners need to know in order to understand the intellectual concept? What parts of the National Curriculum will you cover in this theme? These are essential pieces of information that a learner must know in order to research a ‘Bigger idea’ or understand the Intellectual Concept in question. These are not just a list of facts that are ‘known’ but not ‘understood’.

Through the eyes of the child.
‘Let me tell you all the things I know that help me understand the big idea…’

Box of Entitlements:

How will you ensure that your learners receive a broad and diverse range of stimuli and experience throughout this theme? How will the sustainable development goals be woven through your planning?
Novel – Linked to English
Connected Biography
English and Maths Integration
Study of an Artist or Artistic Movement
Visit out / Visitor in
Design and make an object
Debate Question
World of work
Outdoors environment
Environment / Book corner / Display
Provocation

Through the eyes of the child.  ‘We have done lots of different things to understand this the big idea in this theme. All the experiences have taught me facts and made me wonder and made me realise…’

Enquiry Questions:

An enquiry question is one that will encourage the learner to wonder and notice. It will capture the interest and imagination of your learners and will be open to research. A good enquiry question may have multiple possible answers, but will have a clear focus. The question should be reasonable and there should be some credible research available to answer it. The questions will lead to further questions and will develop and explore the thinking, concepts and knowledge.

Through the eyes of a child.
‘The question I am trying to answer is complicated. All the things I know are making me realise that this is making me wonder…a lot.’

Polished Products:

What skills will the teacher do to support the learner to develop over this theme, in order that they may produce an extended detailed product to exhibit at the end of Term Exhibition/ Emporium/ Museum?

Through the eyes of the child.
‘I have realised the importance of being organised and practising skills so that the things I have produced are the best they can and people want to look at them, read them…and be amazed at how well I have done to make my learning really interesting to others.’ 

Knowledge

At Olympus we believe in the importance of the development of substantive, disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge. We have designed our curriculum to incorporate all 3 types of knowledge;

Substantive Knowledge – this is the knowledge produced by the academic subject. In science, this involves concepts which form the underpinning structure of the subject, e.g. respiration, evolution and the idea of a force.

Disciplinary knowledge – this is the knowledge needed to collect, understand and evaluate scientific evidence for example the concept of being a scientist. It’s the scientific method, i.e. changing one variable whilst keeping everything else the same – and seeing what happens.

Interdisciplinary knowledge – this draws knowledge combining two or more academic disciplines into one activity (e.g., a research project). It is about creating something by thinking across boundaries.

 

Our Primary Curriculum Maps

Year 1 Curious Curriculum Map

Year 2 Curious Curriculum Map 

Year 3 Curious Curriculum Map 

Year 4 Curious Curriculum Map 

Year 5 Curious Curriculum Map 

Year 6 Curious Curriculum Map 

Curriculum Subjects

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • We are Artists

    We are Artists

    At BSCS we believe that art is a vital part of our learners’ education and has a significant and valuable role in the taught curriculum. Art education ensures that all learners have the opportunity to explore shape and form, colour and beauty. Art education fosters creative and bright young people who will develop an awareness and appreciation of the aesthetic beauty around us. Learners who will be innovative and creative thinkers who will be problem-solvers, whilst allowing them to use art to develop a sense of belonging and a sense of understanding our global society. Art at BSCS aims to develop critical-thinking skills, creative confidence, hands-on skills, visual literacy, self-esteem, and an appreciation of other cultures.

    Our Key Learning Intentions

    Our art curriculum will develop learners’ critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritages through studying a diverse range of male and female artists.

    Learners will develop their understanding of the visual language of art and through our carefully considered sequences of lessons and experiences they will start to understand the visual elements of art and design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form). Learners will be supported by a curriculum which will enable children to grow and become proficient in the accumulation of skills. They will have the vocabulary to be able to discuss and appreciate the study of significant art pieces and will learn about the history of art and its significance in our global society.

    Artist of the Term

    In addition to our Curriculum Unleashed challenges and Olympus Pledge, as part of our cultivated curriculum we celebrate an Artist of the Term linked to our Core Values and Gem Powers of the term. By exposing our pupils to a range of artistic movements and styles, we hope to inspire our pupils so that they leave our school being able to talk about inspirational artists and their work.

    Key Learning Intentions - Art

  • We are Athletes

    We are Athletes

    At BSCS we strongly believe in the importance of physical activity, through the forms of structured physical education (PE) and unstructured play opportunities.

    Our PE curriculum encourages all learners to be physically active, improving their physical literacy and fundamental movement skills. We want to provide a lasting, sustainable and positive effect on PE and Sport within school and our community.

    At Key Stage 1 learners will have access to a broad range of opportunities to extend their agility, balance, coordination, individually and with others during their PE lessons. Through unstructured play and forest school children will be creative and imaginative, develop resilience and build friendships and relationships whilst exploring the world around them.

    We want our learners to embrace an active lifestyle by also walking, biking and scooting to school. Being physically active helps to promote physical and emotional health and well-being. Therefore we have used our Sports and PE Premium Funding to provide:

    • Specialised Professional Development for teachers across the Trust.
    • Strategic leadership of PE and Sports within schools and across the Trust.
    • A co-ordinated approach to inter and intra school competition.
    • Lunchtime play leader programme and training, that enables all learners to be active all lunchtime and participate in a virtual competition across the Trust.
    • Trust-wide gala’s, sports events and athletic meets.
    • An elite, talent spotting, signposting programme for those young people with particular talent and promise.

    Why is physical education important for all learners at BSCS?
    Why does it matter?

    With the rise in childhood obesity and increase in emotional and behavioural mental health disorders it is essential that we support our learners to engage in physical activity. Being physically active can nurture positive mental wellbeing, reduce anxiety and stress, increase self – confidence and concentration as well as increase physical wellbeing. We want our learners to grow into happy, healthy adults maintaining a lifelong love of physical activity.

    At BSCS, learners will be offered 2 hours of PE a week. These lessons will be based upon a fundamental movement curriculum for 1 hour and a variety of seasonal sports for the second hour throughout the academic year.

    Key Stage 2 learners will develop a broader range of fundamental movement skills and apply them into a variety of games and sports, competing individually and against others. They will learn how to recognise their own success and how to improve in different physical activities and sports. Learners will develop resilience, confidence and independence and be encouraged to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

    All of our learners will have access to lunchtime and after school sports clubs to encourage them to increase the amount of exercise they do each day to 60 minutes. The range of clubs will increase participation in sport through virtual, inter and intra competition.

    Signposting External Sports Clubs for Pupils

  • We are Authors

    We are Authors

    At BSCS, our English curriculum is driven by a range of high-quality texts which seek to challenge and lead to the development of the personal and cultural capital of the children attending our schools.

    The texts provide a stimulus for reading, writing and oracy and aim to deliver an opportunity for all to be immersed in a rich vocabulary; one that will support their own development and nurture a genuine love of language and the written word. We believe that all of our children are authors and that the link between reading and writing are heavily entwined. Children are encouraged to question author choices and explore the context in which a text is written, making links with the world around them. Our aim is that English learning is contextualised in children’s experiences and therefore is carefully planned with explicit links to children’s wider learning. We enrich English learning with visits from authors, trips and experiences that will provide a real purpose for reading and writing.

    English is taught through a sequential journey that encourages children to read like a writer and write like a reader. The children use a high quality text each term as the basis of their learning. The text is then supplemented with other genre specific texts/extracts dependent upon the expected writing outcome, whether it be to entertain, to inform, to persuade or to discuss.

    We plan a unit of work for both reading and writing over a period of three weeks, ensuring that we have a balance of skills and application being taught throughout. In writing, well-planned learning intentions based on formative assessment are mapped out over a complete sequence, enabling learners to move through the gears from novice to expert. We plan a writing sequence backwards, beginning with the end of unit outcome and focusing on the skills that need to be developed in order for children to meet the required expectation; this is known to teaching staff as ‘bottom-up planning.’

    Reading and Writing Sequence

    Please note the reading sequence is staggered one week ahead of the writing sequence to ensure key vocabulary and cultural references have been fully explored prior to using the text in writing.

    It is important to highlight that within each writing stage, explicit grammar skills are taught in context, with opportunities to apply these in writing across each phase. This may well involve re-visiting a genre that has been taught previously or an opportunity to write a shorter piece that will link to the end of unit extended writing outcome.

    Writing Expectations

    • Learners will produce one non-fiction and one fiction end of unit extended piece of writing termly.
    • Further writing opportunities must be given in each stage to allow the application of specific skills to be developed.
    • Grammar skills will be taught in context
    • Learners should be exposed to a rich diet of genre-specific supplementary texts within each unit and have the opportunity to explore authorial choices, make comparisons and deepen their own vocabulary.
    • Learning intentions will link and model the learning journey clearly for the learners and will separate the skill from the ‘genre vehicle’ being used.
    • There will be opportunities for shared writing and modelled writing in each phase.
    • Texts will be taught contextually.
    • Within each phase, oracy will be developed through book and writer talk, meta-language (structure, grammar, revising and editing) the teaching of specific vocabulary and collaborative learning (discussion and presentation)
    • Learners take pride in their presentation using a cursive scr1pt for handwriting (from Year 2), valuing the editing and revising process as part of the writing journey.

    Key Learning Intentions - English

  • We are Designers

    We are Designers

    Why is design and technology important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    Design and technology is a varied, creative and practical subject. It allows learners to use and develop lifelong skills in a range of different contexts, through a variety of media. Learners are required to think critically and encouraged to ‘think outside the box,’ in order to find solutions to real life problems. It is cross curricular, drawing on, and developing the skills required to be successful in maths, science, computing and art. Design and technology teaches our learners:

    • the life skills of planning, design, construction, problem solving and evaluation.
    • to build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality products for a wide range of users.
    • how to assess risk, take suitable precautions and make adaptations to ensure the safety and welfare of all.
    • how everyday items are designed and produced and why decisions are made about construction techniques and materials.

    How does studying design and technology help young people to achieve?

    Design and technology teaches children how to research, plan, create, problem solve, adapt, evaluate and think critically. Learners develop essential practical skills that can be used creatively across all subjects throughout the curriculum, and into later life. Design and technology allows learners the opportunity to work independently, and develops the skills of collaboration and team work, transferable across all curriculum areas.

    Key Learning Intentions - DT

  • We are Digital Leaders

    We are Digital Leaders

    Why is computing important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    The core of computing is computer science, in which learners 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, learners are equipped to use information technology to create a range of content.

    Our computing curriculum also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use and express themselves and develop their ideas through information and communication technology – at a suitable level for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

    Learners are responsible, competent, confident and creative users of information and communication technology that inspires them to lead change and will enable them to become curious life-long learners.

    Key Learning Intentions - Computing

  • We are Geographers

    We are Geographers

    Why is geography important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    In geography across Key Stage 1 and 2, learners will gain knowledge about the world helping them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes. Learners will become familiar with vital concepts such as place, scale and sustainability. This will provide them with opportunities to consider similarities and differences.

    Our children learn geography because it helps them to understand the world they live in and the roles they can play within it both presently and in the future. As a subject it develops the skills of evaluation, explanation and critical analysis which equip children to identify how natural processes have shaped human societies and how humans have, in turn, changed the planet.

    Throughout this journey, learners will develop an understanding of how they and others live and are interconnected. They will become curious and fascinated with the world and its people, looking at a range of scales from local to global. Learners will be competent in a range of skills through curious enquiry giving them a strong sense of global citizenship.

    Our Key Learning Intentions

    Geography provokes and answers questions about the natural and human worlds, using different scales of enquiry to view them from different perspectives. It develops knowledge of places and environments throughout the world, an understanding of maps, and a range of investigative and problem solving skills both inside and outside the classroom. As such, it prepares children for adult life and employment. Geography is a focus within the curriculum for understanding and resolving issues about the environment and sustainable development. It is also an important link between the natural and social sciences. As learners study geography, they encounter different societies and cultures. This helps them realise how nations rely on each other. It can inspire them to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.

    Key Learning Intentions - Geography

  • We are Historians

    We are Historians

    Why is history important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    Young people studying history at BSCS will gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of significant individuals and changes in their own lifetime, in Britain’s past and in the history of the wider world. Our curriculum will encourage curiosity about the past and help learners to sequence key events, ask perceptive questions, identify, analyse and compare sources and think critically. Ultimately, they will build an understanding of change and continuity over time and a chronological understanding of key dates, events and figures using historical terms accurately. Our curriculum develops these qualities in young people through examining change and continuity from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, the British Roman period and the subsequent invasion of Britain by Saxons, Vikings and Scots, up to the time of Edward the Confessor. In upper Key Stage 2, learners explore Greek life and achievements and their influence on the western world, and complete two studies of non-European ancient civilisations and an extended chronological study. As well as examining aspects of the history of Britain, Europe and the wider world, the learners have many opportunities to explore history, change and continuity in their local area.

    Our Key Learning Intentions

    Our history curriculum helps young people to understand their place in the world and the history all around them. They learn to recognise the significance of people, places and changes in their locality and beyond and form opinions about them. Crucially, they are encouraged and supported to develop their sense of pride and identity with their local area, Bristol, Britain, Europe and the wider world. It can inspire them to think about their own values, rights and responsibilities, and the potential for their own historical significance.

    Key Learning Intentions - History

  • We are Linguists

    We are Linguists

    At BSCS we hope to promote confidence, curiosity and enjoyment in learning French.

    We do this by developing learners’ ability to communicate in both spoken and written French for practical purposes and for fun. We aim to enable learners to speak and write French with increasing confidence, demonstrating substantial progress across Key Stage 2.

    Our aim is also to develop and foster an understanding and appreciation of French-speaking cultures and their similarities and differences to our own by looking at authentic texts and listening to authentic songs, stories and rhymes.

    In addition, we want to equip all learners with language learning strategies, including using a bi-lingual dictionary, strategies for memorisation and retrieval and using context and prior knowledge to aid comprehension, all of which will provide a foundation for learning further languages at secondary school.

    We believe that learning a language enables learners to express their ideas and thoughts in different ways and deepens knowledge and understanding of other countries and cultures. French is widely spoken throughout the world by many different cultures and studying French gives learners an opportunity to make links between other languages and cultures and their own. In an increasingly global society, being able to communicate in more than one language will benefit all learners and will widen their opportunities by equipping them to study and work in other countries in the future.

    In addition our teachers are mindful that this is an area of the curriculum where SEN&D children can experience success.

    Our Key Learning Intentions

    At BSCS we use Primary Languages Network as a tool to ensure coverage, progression and also support our team by providing professional development and resources to enable them to deliver a high quality French curriculum. Our French curriculum is taught discretely each term throughout KS2. We are fortunate to be able to celebrate and utilise the expertise of some of our pupils and their families who speak French as a first language and also our secondary colleagues from within the Trust.

  • We are Mathmeticians

    We are Mathmeticians

    The study of mathematics provides learners with many skills which are transferable across the curriculum and the world around them. Our Maths curriculum supports children to gain a deep long term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject which enables them to become agile mathematicians. We aim to encourage learners to gain fluency in number and be able to reason and problem solve using a variety of strategies.

    Maths enables learners to become confident in sharing their mathematical thinking through oral and written work. Our learners are introduced to a wide range of mathematical vocabulary which enables them to articulate their understanding in a concise and logical manner. Throughout our mathematics curriculum, children are encouraged to develop their mathematical thinking leading them to be able to build upon and challenge the ideas of others. Our curriculum aims to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to be successful in the next stage of their learning. We believe that all children are capable of achieving high standards in mathematics.

    Philosophy for Teaching Maths

    Mastering maths means acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. At any one point in a learner’s journey through school, achieving mastery is taken to mean acquiring a solid enough understanding of the maths that’s been taught to enable him/her to move on to more advanced material.

    At BSCS we focus on teaching for mastery, where we combine the five big ideas in teaching mastery (see diagram below) taken from the NCETM to describe the range of elements of classroom practice and school organisation that combine to give learners the best chances of mastering mathematics.

    Our Curriculum

    Our curriculum is driven at Primary by the 2014 National Curriculum for mathematics, the aims of this are to ensure all learners:

    • become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics, including through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, so that learners develop conceptual understanding and are able to recall and apply their knowledge rapidly and accurately to problems.

    • 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.

    Planning and Sequence Learning

    The National Curriculum forms the basis for our long-term planning: setting out the expectations in each year group, with links made across strands. The medium-term planning organises the units systematically term by term, with many opportunities for embedding skills with problem solving. Class teachers use AET to support with sequencing learning. Short-term unit plans are prepared for daily teaching.

    The curriculum is taught through the units as follows with all year groups teaching the same units at similar times:

    Number and place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, geometry, statistics.

    At BSCS we believe that planning is to inform practice, it moves learning forward and allows our team to break larger concepts down into small steps.

    S planning allows the planner to start with the end in mind, what do we want our learners to understand by the end of this ‘sequence of learning’ or ‘learning journey’?

    Then using our key learning intentions, our misconception mats and the small steps documents, start to plan the journey the learner will take to achieve this goal.

    Effective planning should involve the planner thinking deeply about the steps needed to be taken (the ‘journey’) to enable ALL learners to succeed and meet objectives.

    Planning should ensure that the teacher is confident in the delivery of content, as it has been well thought out.

    We use S planning to support this.

    Teaching & Pedagogy

    As part of our teaching of mathematics at the primary phase we have embedded the CPA (concrete, pictorial, abstract) approach to lessons. All concepts are introduced with concrete resources for children to feel and manipulate. As their conceptual understanding develops, they move towards the pictorial and abstract stages. Pupils are not pushed to move through these stages until they have shown understanding gained by the teacher through skilful assessment.

    The teachers’ role in lessons is to:

    • demonstrate a clear modelling
    • allow time for discussion and pair work
    • provide support and challenge when needed
    • present challenge through expert questioning

    Number Talk

    ‘Number Talk’ is a teaching strategy that focuses on developing learners’ fluency, deepening their understanding of numbers, the connections between them and other concepts. It works on supporting learners to become efficient, accurate, and work flexibly at the same time developing their mathematical vocabulary and reasoning skills. Number Talk is about talking strategies rather than always recording maths or using one specific strategy. It’s not about a rapid response but about allowing learner’s time to calculate an answer, explain their strategies, challenging each other, building on what they know and refining methods.

    The session is separate from the daily maths session but the question stems and hand signals are used throughout all maths lessons and stem sentences are key. The session is about 5-15 minutes daily and starts with a problem written on the board.

    Fluent in 5

    At BSCS we recognise the importance of ensuring all pupils are fluent in number therefore use Third Space Learning ‘Fluent in 5’.

    Fluent in Five provides a daily set of arithmetic practice, designed to help children develop and maintain fluency in both written and mental calculations. The structure of Fluent in Five is also designed to help children distinguish between written and mental calculations. It provides regular practice of mental and written arithmetic skills to keep calculation skills fresh.” Third Space Learning

  • We are Musicians

    We are Musicians

    At BSCS we believe that music is a universal language, which is inclusive and accessible for all.

    We aim to develop and inspire all students to be able to perform, compose, listen to, review and evaluate music across a range of genres styles and traditions; through this they develop an understanding and empathy of cultures, context, time and place. They will develop transferable skills such as collaboration, presentation, independence, concentration, and nurturing working memory both in the classroom and beyond.

    We aim to do this in a practical and engaging way, with every student having opportunities to perform, use technology and listen to recorded and live music. Through our music curriculum, all pupils will be given a platform to express their creativity and individuality, whilst supporting their confidence, well-being and mindfulness through an expressive output.

    We aim for all students to appreciate and understand the importance of music whilst broadening their horizons.

    To achieve this, we celebrate Composer of the Term linked to our Gem or Core Value of the Term, teaching the National Curriculum Objectives and Olympus Key Learning Intentions as part of our curriculum themes linked to the Sustainable Development Goals and also using Charanga.

    We Are Performers

    At BSCS we pledge to offer a wealth of opportunity for our pupils to thrive. Our Cultivated Curriculum is designed to enable our pupils to grow by providing experiences such as:

    • Olympus Festival
    • Trust musicals
    • Singing assemblies
    • School choir/Glee Club
    • Visiting theatre
    • School performances

    Key Learning Intentions - Music

  • We are Scientists

    We are Scientists

    Why is science important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    Scientific discovery begins with a question and it is always relevant – from climate change to medical discoveries and learners will always require an understanding of the physical and biological world around them.

    Our science curriculum provides an exciting, stimulating curriculum, enabling personal enjoyment and success. It therefore recognises that all learners have their own curiosities about the world around them and that this world is rapidly changing. We want learners to fall in love with science and to understand that science is not standalone and abstract – it applies through all walks of life. By encouraging them to ask questions, evaluate information, manipulate facts and data and make critical interpretations and make enquiries, we will challenge pre-conceptions and build scientific understanding.

    Our Key Learning Intentions

    The ‘thinking skills’ that learners acquire apply across all subjects and in the wider world. By building their questioning ability, they will have the confidence to challenge ideas and problem solve throughout life in the same way that scientists have shaped our past and will continue to shape our future – by understanding this, learners can see how they can have an impact on the world. Our learners are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to make evaluative and informed decisions.

    Fundamentally science will allow children to recognise their role as a global citizens in an ever changing world, enabling them to distinguish between what is real and encourage them to become critical thinkers.

    Key Learning Intentions - Science

  • We love Reading

    We love Reading

    As we love reading and recognise the power of the spoken word, all themes are also centred round a key text and supplementary texts that demonstrate to our pupils the purpose of reading and how a lifelong love of reading helps us develop the skills needed to succeed and enjoy life.

    Fiction and non-fiction texts are displayed alongside our learning walls and published central displays with relevant tier two and three vocabulary to further encourage pupils in other year groups to become CURIOUS, independent learners.

    Reading Curriculum

    We have used Scarborough’s ‘Reading Rope’ to coordinate the different components of reading and have developed our reading strategy to ensure the different strands of reading are taught explicitly.

    Olympus Trust Reading Strategy

    Phonics

    At BSCS we follow the Sounds Write programme (Copyright © 2020 Sounds Write) and key members of staff complete a 4-day training course. The programme begins with the sounds in the language and moves from the sounds to the written word.

    In order for a learner to become a fluent reader, they must be taught all the common ways of representing English speech sounds (phonemes). A systematic approach is required, teaching from simple 1 – sound: 1 – letter correspondences to sounds represented by several different spellings. The order in which the code is presented should correlate with the complexity of the conceptual knowledge required to use it.

    Given the fact that speech is uttered one sound at a time, and that written English is a means of recording those sounds via visual symbols that we call spellings/letters, the following skills are essential:

    • The skill of blending individual sounds to enable the construction of meaningful words, such as /c/…/a/…/t/…’cat’
    • The skill of segmenting individual sounds in speech is vital for both reading and spelling. To read, the reader must segment the sound-spelling correspondences in a word before blending them to make a recognisable word.

    Of course, when writing, the same skill of segmenting will also be needed. The learner needs to be able to split the word ‘dog’ into its three component sounds /d/…/o/…/g/ to access the alphabet code and then represent each sound graphemically.

    • The skill of manipulating the individual sounds within words to enable one sound to be replaced by another. This skill is essential in order to deal with the problems of decoding that might arise when a spelling represents more than one sound. In the interest of reading quickly and fluently the reader needs to be able to manipulate sounds instantly without having to revisit the cumbersome process of blending the whole word together again from the beginning.

    It is important to note that speed and accuracy need to be achieved for all three of the above skills for them to become automatic. Once the process is automatic the reader can then concentrate solely on understanding and extracting information from the text they are reading.

    What fluent readers have achieved is the creation of what Piaget (2001) termed a sensori-motor-schemata (a mental process by which text is automatically decoded without the reader being consciously aware of it).

    A final point. Reading and spelling are individual word level activities. The correct environment for the spellings (i.e. letters) we use to represent our speech sounds is words. Letters were not invented to stand in isolation. They should, therefore, be introduced and taught as parts of words. This ensures that the learner’s attention is accurately drawn to their correct spatial orientation. Teaching letters in isolation (i.e. as part of the alphabet), where they have no useful meaning, often causes early years learners problems with mirror-writing and confusion with letters such as < b >, < d > and < p >. Using complete words also gives the learner meaning and a context in which to place their learning. Asking children to learn /k/ spelled < c > in isolation is meaningless to them. A ‘cup’ or a ‘cat’, however, has meaning and relevance, which, in turn, because it has a point, helps motivate the learner.

    Moreover, asking children to associate a spelling/letter with a sound in isolation from whole words – an approach known in psychology as paired – associate learning – is very difficult to do.

    Sounds-Write Progression Overview

    Sounds-Write Progression & Pace Document

  • Religious Education (RE)

    Religious Education (RE)

    Why is religious education important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    The principal aim of religious education at BSCS is to engage learners in a systematic enquiry approach where they can develop an understanding and appreciation of the main religions and worldviews in the local, national and global community. Through our RE curriculum we aim to inspire, challenge and encourage learners, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and understanding to answer challenging questions about the purpose of life, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. Finally, we believe a high quality religious education promotes awareness and respect – enabling learners to combat prejudice, and preparing them for adult life, employment and life-long learning.

    How does studying religious education help our young people to achieve?

    Our religious education curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

    • Develop knowledge and understanding of the principal religions and world views represented in Great Britain;
    • Develop understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and in their communities
    • Weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources, learn to develop and express their own insights, and to agree or disagree respectfully.
    • Recognise the right of people to hold diverse beliefs and values and to develop positive attitudes of respect towards other people;
    • Reflect on modern ethical issues form a range of views with the purpose of developing well thought through opinions and attitudes.
    • Widen the world view of our catchment areas by developing community cohesion through the study of the place of our multicultural society in the local, national and wider global community.

    Our Religious Education Curriculum

    At BSCS we use Discovery RE to support our staff and pupils and quality assure our Religious Education curriculum. The scheme supports with planning, resources and professional development for our teaching team to ensure high quality teaching. It also enables us to track and show full coverage of our Key Learning Intentions (KLIs).

    Discovery RE

    The scheme adopts an enquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. Christianity is taught in every year group, with Christmas and Easter given new treatment each year, developing the learning in a progressive way. Baha’i, Buddhism, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism are also covered. Humanist perspectives are added when appropriate in some enquiries in addition to the Introduction to Humanism enquiry.

    Each enquiry demands the equivalent of 6 lessons, but teaching time is sometimes blocked to enhance learning. Each enquiry has a learning objective which shows the learning over the enquiry and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development opportunities are mapped throughout as is each enquiry’s contribution to the British Values agenda.

    British Values

    At BSCS we believer Religious Education is a key player in engendering knowledge and understanding which can lead to tolerance and respect for others and their beliefs. It does not, however, teach children to passively accept, but rather encourages evaluation and critical thinking, equipping them to consider belief positions they encounter. Discovery RE contributes significantly to the British Values agenda.

    Mindfulness

    Mindfulness means cultivating a sense of awareness on purpose, in a non-judgemental way in the present moment. At BSCS, our teachers use mindfulness practices to build children’s self-awareness and skills of reflection, thus supporting their RE learning as well as their personal spiritual development. As we use Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE, we also use Calm Me time in RE lessons too.

    Key Learning Intentions - RE - At Olympus we use a scheme of work for RE and therefore there is not a separate Key learning Intention. Schools will either use the South Gloucestershire RE Scheme SACRE, or they use the Discovery Scheme.

  • Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)

    Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)

    Why is PSHE important for all learners at BSCS? Why does it matter?

    The principal aim of Personal, Social and Health Education at BSCS is to support our learners in understanding their place in the world, how they fit, why they belong and the importance of agency. Our PSHE programme alongside our Social and Emotional Learning has a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. It is designed to empathise the importance of the whole child. PSHE gives learners the knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to keep themselves healthy and safe and to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.

    How does studying PSHE help our young people to achieve?

    At BSCS we deliver engaging and relevant PSHE lessons within a whole- school approach using Jigsaw. Jigsaw is a progressive and fully planned scheme of work, giving children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others, using mindfulness to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

    Jigsaw consists of six half-term units of work (Puzzles), each containing six lessons (Pieces) covering each academic year.

    • Term 1: Being Me in My World
    • Term 2: Celebrating Difference (including anti-bullying)
    • Term 3: Dreams and Goals
    • Term 4: Healthy Me
    • Term 5: Relationships
    • Term 6: Changing Me (including Relationship and Sex Education)

    Alongside this, we also believe in the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and therefore incorporate the explicit and implicit teaching of social and emotional skills within our teaching. In teaching PSHE and SEL will help children to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain healthy and positive relationships and make responsible decisions (Weissberg: 2015)

    The term SEL is widely used internationally and consists of 5 competencies.

    • Self-awareness
    • Self-management
    • Social awareness
    • Relationship skills
    • Responsible decision-making

    We believe that these competencies need to be taught explicitly as skills and also integrated and modelled through everyday teaching. Our whole school plan which ensures SEL is woven through our culture and ethos.

    Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural

    We believe that the teaching of values and ensuring learners have a good understanding of their responsibility within our community and wider society is crucial. This is especially important if young learners are to take their place in the world and make an important contribution to our society. In believing this, we place value on teaching children about their rights and responsibilities in school and their community, the moral dilemmas and decisions that they may be faced with in their lives and giving them opportunities to learn about and understand their place in the world. We believe that learners grow from a sense of belonging and a feeling of ‘knowing who they are’. We support the teaching of respecting others’ beliefs and religions and provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for learners to explore their own ideas and beliefs and sense of self.

    Mental Health and Wellbeing

    At BSCS we take the mental health and well-being of our learners seriously and each school will provide different strategies and resources to support and develop the promotion of emotional well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Curious Curriculum Unleashed

At Bradley Stoke Community School we are committed to helping the world become a better place. Linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we challenge pupils to complete twenty amazing experiences each year either a school with classmates or at home with friends and family. When pupils join our school we present them with their very own Unleashed Passport which has the challenges inside. When challenges are completed, pupils are encouraged to bring their booklet into school to share their successes with the class teacher, peers and our Leadership Team.

Bradley Stoke Community School Curious Curriculum Unleashed

Blended Learning

The Olympus Academy Trust approach to blended learning can be defined by six core principles that have been research-informed and aim to recognise the five losses referred to by Prof Barry Carpenter of routine, structure, friendship, opportunity and freedom.

1. Accessible for all
2. Building a sense of belonging
3. Promoting purposeful learner and teacher dialogue
4. Connecting the school community
5. Capturing the curriculum and beyond
6. Sequencing and scaffolding our approach to learning

1. Accessible for All

At the Olympus Academy Trust, we believe that our remote learning package should be accessible to all learners. We realise that not all families have access to technology (digital inequality) and we should, therefore, provide a range of ways for families to access school and learning. Our preferred way of sharing learning will be through a platform called Seesaw ©. We will also work closely with families and parents to provide work in other forms if technology is not easily available in the family home.

  • “Ensuring access to technology is key, particularly for disadvantaged learners. Almost all remote learning uses digital technology, typically requiring access to both computers and the internet. Many reviews identify lack of technology as a barrier to successful remote instruction. It is important that support is provided to ensure that disadvantaged learners – who are more likely to face these barriers – have access to technology.”EEF Rapid evidence assessment Distance learning, 2020

The EEF suggest that to make learning accessible for all, the quality of teaching is key. We will therefore ensure that the work provided is clear and explanations and feedback is specific. We recognise that as in the classroom, blended and remote learning needs to meet the needs of all learners and will be scaffolded appropriately.

Using the research from Daniel Stanford, we will ensure that when technology is the preferred medium to share work, then a range of low bandwidth activities will be set to enable families accessing home learning on mobile phones, using mobile data, to do so in an equitable way.

Pre-recorded videos that can be shared on a variety of platforms e.g. website, email, Facebook, can ensure that lessons are inclusive as there is no reliance on video or audio conferencing Apps. Challenges (Olympus terminology for a menu of remote learning) will be available in PDF, as this is easier to download and read on all devices.

Moving forwards, Olympus Academy Trust staff will be trained to use Seesaw © as our blended learning platform to ensure it is used effectively for all learners.

 

2. Building a sense of belonging

At Olympus, we recognise the importance of developing Social and Emotional skills within our blended learning approach. It is well researched that a child’s ability to learn is directly influenced by their social and emotional state of being. It is for this reason that we have prioritised the importance of a learner’s sense of belonging through developing: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.

  • “These social and emotional skills are essential for children’s development, support effective learning, and are linked to positive outcomes in later life.”Sir Kevan Collins, Education Endowment Foundation, SEL,2020

Whilst in ‘usual’ teaching situations we would teach explicit social and emotional skills as well as indirectly modelling through everyday teaching. This becomes more challenging in blended learning.

Aspects of social and emotional skills, which can be taken for granted in face-to-face teaching situations, need to be explicitly built into the design of remote teaching approaches in a highly intentional way for them to be effective. It makes a difference to children when they can see their teacher’s face, hear their voice and read expressions. This is important in maintaining strong relationships and establishing a sense of well-being, especially in adverse circumstances. When children feel valued, safe and secure they are in a good place to learn and children need to know that the adults with which they have so much daily contact, are still there and available to help them despite a lack of physical presence. There are many ways in which this can be achieved successfully through remote learning: morning video messages, weekly phone calls to speak with children and parents, teacher video demonstrations, personalised phone calls or the teacher simply recording themselves reading a story for their class. Recorded assemblies and whole staff presentations, also foster and promote connections between school and the community.

In addition to this, we also recognise that some children are more vulnerable and will need a higher and more frequent level of contact and support. Each school will have a designated Pastoral Lead and a SENDCo to offer another level of communication and reassurance for both children and parents. Regular opportunities to discuss experiences, emotions and any difficulties play an important role in these conversations and remind our community that we care about them and that we are still available.

 

3. Promoting purposeful learner and teacher dialogue

As a Trust, we believe that the teacher must strive to promote excellent and varied communication with their class. This may include: instructing, guiding, questioning, listening, assessing, advising, reassuring children and providing constructive feedback. To succeed, children must have a strong sense of their teacher’s virtual presence.

We recognise that feedback is important in every classroom, but when teaching online, it’s another way to establish a personal connection with your learners. Offering constructive feedback regularly helps learners quickly identify behaviours or skills they need to improve and makes them feel like they are part of the learning community. Motivating the learner to persevere and to strive to complete work to a high standard.

  • “While nothing can replace the individual relationships between a teacher and their learners in the classroom, our evidence review shows that are some key steps that schools can make to make the most of the opportunity for online learning and the support the government is providing. One effective strategy is to encourage peer interaction between learners. Another focuses on getting learners to reflect on their learning and the progress they’re making.”Education Endowment Foundation review, 2020

It is even more important that learners who are taught remotely, feel connected to the class, the teacher, and their peers – not just to learn, but to enjoy the experience. Through online platforms such as Seesaw ©, the whole class can be part of the learning experience and observe their peers’ contributions. Seesaw © creates a powerful learning connection between learners, teachers, and their families. When reviewing the learners’ work, which has been completed, teachers can understand the learners’ thinking and progress – enabling them to better meet their needs. The learners’ portfolios of work on Seesaw © make it easy to give them choices, empower reflection on learning over time and help learners create something they are proud to share with others.

 

4. Connecting the school community

At Olympus Academy Trust, we greatly value the relationships that we have developed in our schools to establish a strong sense of belonging in our school community. We have regular daily contact with our families and have an ‘open door policy’ in order to facilitate this. During remote learning, we recognise the need to ensure that staff maintain high levels of engagement with our families when face to face contact is not possible. It is important, therefore, to consider ways in which we can maintain these relationships during remote/blended learning.

Seeing their teachers and adults from the school community is important for children’s sense of belonging, community and well-being. This is highlighted in the Department of Education’s most recent guidance for schools on adapting to remote learning.

  • Encouraging and enabling interaction between learners, parents, carers and staff can help them to feel like they’re a part of a community.Department for Education, 2020

With the advent of remote learning, we want to ensure that our staff are available for our families when face to face contact is not possible. Through the use of online platforms, such as Seesaw © and Zoom ©, we are able to facilitate online meetings, workshops and discussions for all stakeholders, allowing our Academy Trust to continue to provide high quality contact in the most adverse of circumstances.

Throughout term time, we endeavour to ensure regular contact is maintained with all our learners in, and out of school. Through the use of regular written or video messages, introducing home learning, reading stories and announcing whole school events, our learners can stay in touch with familiar adults from across the school. Many of our schools promote a sense of community through the creation of whole school community videos showing all the adults in lockdown, such as lip sync or dance recordings.

Engaging with peers is a vital part of learning and, arguably, the core principle that is hardest to follow remotely. It also requires engagement with parents and carers. Using Seesaw ©, we are able to facilitate peer to peer contact via the blog. Our learners can offer feedback on the work of their peers as well as participate in class challenges related to the wider curriculum. Our online platform allows our schools to maintain many of the events that are part of our Trust Pledge. Events such as a Virtual Sports Day and online assemblies ensure our children continue to access a high quality, broad and balanced curriculum.

 

5. Capturing the Curriculum and Beyond

As a Trust, we believe that remote or blended learning should be formed by a range of open-ended, investigative-type activities; finding the learning opportunities in everyday activities, e.g. maths and reading when cooking from a recipe, science when gardening, non-screen activities to do while out on daily exercise walks, learning through play etc. The tasks are not worksheets that need to be ‘completed’, but learning oriented around activity, discussion and cognitive experience. Learning is not a task-oriented or box-ticking process, but a meaningful and developmental journey with endless possible and valuable divergent paths. (Holt, 1982)

Learning from home provides a unique opportunity for learners to discover more about, and from, their local environment. Where appropriate, activities are created that require learners to go outside and engage with the natural or ‘built’ features of their local area and can use, but are not reliant on, parental/carer knowledge and skills, as Forster argues.

  • The families engaged most fully with tasks that involved an activity… and were open-ended and invited them to think.Forster, 2011

Although not essential, family members may provide learners with advice, guidance, resources, suggestions, ideas, or creative solutions that facilitate learning. They may have strengths to share in an area or may enlist other adults better placed to support.

Olympus’ remote blended learning is accessible to all, allowing older and younger siblings to work together, whilst gaining knowledge, experience and challenge at their own levels e.g. a shared writing stimulus that allows siblings to share and discuss ideas together.

Blended learning stimulates good discussions at home that extend the learner’s thinking and understanding, whilst enabling parents/carers to feel that they understood more about their child’s learning, and how to support them, thus enhancing relationships within the home.

 

6. Sequencing and scaffolded approach to learning

At Olympus Academy Trust, blended learning aims to mirror our pedagogical approach of ‘high quality classroom practice’. Learning will be sequential, building upon prior learning in order for learners to have the opportunity to apply skills and embed their understanding. We recognise that learners need to see their remote learning as part of a journey and make links with previously learnt skills and knowledge in order to maximise engagement and understanding.

Our rationale is supported by a recent report from the Education Endowment foundation (EEF) which states.

  • …. the quality of remote teaching is more important than how lessons are delivered. For example, teachers might explain a new idea live or in a pre-recorded video. But what matters most is whether the explanation builds clearly on learners’ prior learning.Education Endowment Foundation: 2020

We recognise that learners have different needs and one size does not fit all through blended learning. At Olympus, we believe that remote learning should include a range of elements of effective teaching, for example, clear explanation and modelling and scaffolding with supplementary resources where appropriate, to meet the needs of all children.

At Olympus, blended learning aims to avoid off the cuff activity giving, but instead allow learners to move through the gears of learning from novice to expert in a way that is familiar to their usual school setting. Teachers will provide modelled examples to set expectations and facilitate opportunities for learners to process ideas or ask questions through platforms such as Seesaw ©. Only when this sequential approach has been followed, will learners be expected to apply their skills.

Learners will be given time to reflect on their work following feedback and make improvements where necessary to complete the learning journey.

 

Seesaw Presentation

 

Our Pledge

At Olympus, we believe that it is important to nurture and celebrate the whole child.

We strive to offer an enhanced ‘cultivated curriculum’ offering our children more opportunities to develop skills across and beyond the national curriculum. Our Olympus Pledge outlines the enhanced curriculum offer for our children.

 

Sustainable Development Goals

 At Olympus we believe as educators we have a responsibility to teach our learners about the world around them. As part of our Local to Global element of our Curious Curriculum, we have signed up to help deliver on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Throughout the curriculum we have linked our enquiry themes with these big global issues in order to allow learners to explore the ideas, concepts, issues and reality regarding these goals.

 

ELLI Learning

One of the keys to children succeeding at school is for them to understand how they learn; if a child can explain the different skills he or she is using, this enhances awareness of what helps them to learn. We believe strongly in encouraging children to explain the why, how and what of learning and we use a number of strategies to enhance this.


We invest time and resources to support approaches which make learners think about learning more explicitly in the classroom. We teach children strategies to plan, monitor and evaluate their own learning. Overall these strategies involve being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses as a learner, being able to set and monitor goals and having strategies to choose from or switch to during learning activities.

Becoming Better Learners

 

Are you a purple learner? We use ‘purple learning’ to help children understand the importance of challenge. 


If learning is too easy; learners can find themselves in the ‘Blue Zone’ and can become bored and ‘switched off’ quickly – they know they will not learn anything new in the blue zone.


If learning is too hard; learners find themselves in the ‘Red Zone’ or the ‘Danger Zone’ and can quickly feel stressed and overwhelmed by a task. 


We learn best when we are in the ‘Purple Zone’ or the ‘Challenge Zone’ (red and blue mixed together to make the purple!) Learners feel confident to have a go and know that some of the learning will be difficult but, if they keep working hard, they can be successful.


Have you been on the Purple Learning Bus today?


Acorn Class have a Purple Learning Bus – they try to get on the bus every day!

Picture of Purple Bus and children putting their name/picture in the bus

If they find themselves in the Red or Blue zones we encourage them to use their Elli learning Powers to help move themselves into the Purple Zone. 

ELLI (Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory)


Being able to plan and manage you own time in a task and keep yourself motivated are examples of self-regulation and meta-cognition. Teachers and learners use The Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory (ELLI). Learning dimensions (powers) are introduced to the children through a series of ELLI characters. This starts in Reception and continues throughout the Primary Phase.

We introduce children to the ELLI learning powers through a story. Click here to find out more.

Changing and learning   Chameleon  A sense of myself as someone who learns and changes over time    
Critical curiosity  Cat Making connections and seeing that learning ‘matters to me’
Creativity Unicorn Risk-taking, playfulness, imagination and intuition
Interdependence Bees Learning with and from others and also able to manage without them
Strategic awareness  Owl Being aware of my thoughts, feelings and actions as a learner, and able to use that awareness to manage learning processes
Resilience Tortoise The readiness to persevere in the development of my own learning power

 What helps you to learn?

........these are 'movers'. smile

What stops you from learning?

........these are 'blockers'.frown


Children learn about movers and blockers. In every class, we decide on a class list of movers and blockers.

Talk!

We talk a lot at BSCS Primary Phase!  Sometimes talk can help us learn, sometimes talking is not helpful.  We reflect on what is helpful and unhelpful talk in our classrooms.


These are examples of what we think is helpful talk:

  • Asking a question
  • Explaining an answer
  • People asking for help
  • Talking about your work with your friends
  • Helping your partner work out the answer to a difficult question
  • Saying ‘good morning’ politely
  • Sharing your ideas

These are examples of what we think is unhelpful talk:

  • Chatting when you should be listening
  • Arguing
  •  Interrupting
  •  Being mean
  • Shouting out
  • Saying mean things about someone else’s work
  • Talking about things that are not to do with your learning

Our Learning Environment

At Olympus we believe that children have the right to a rich multi-sensory environment: one that stimulates and provokes learning and reflects the importance of aesthetics and beauty; One that is well organised, reflects high expectations and standards and enables learners to develop independence in their learning.

Our rationale for this approach is based on various theories, research, concepts and ideas. The relationship between pedagogy and learning spaces is integral to our approach and we believe first and foremost that the learning environment should be designed to support high quality interaction and teaching and learning.

The Reggio Emilia Approach and the Montessori style of experimenting, were instrumental in defining our approach. Our inspiration that space, light, colour and form can either enhance and facilitate or impinge and intrude on a child’s learning journey is integral to the way that our school environments are designed and this is premised on us believing that our environment is ‘The Third Teacher’.

Environment at Olympus is by design not accident. Colour schemes have been carefully chosen to be subtle and not over stimulate. Where bright colours are evident, they bring a specific tone or function. Materials and finishes have been carefully chosen for their aesthetic properties, beauty, and sensory experience. Floors, walls and ceilings are particularly important to our environments and attention has been paid to how these can facilitate and support children’s learning. Clear, natural style flooring and subtle muted colour schemes allow children’s own learning to be the main focus.

The use of natural materials such as hessian adds a natural sensory quality and does not detract from the documentation of the child’s learning journey. The dining environment and experience is designed to value the importance of preparation and presentation of food and its relationship to learning.

This guidance sets out to clarify the expectations across The Olympus Academy Trust, as well as a consistent approach and a shared sense of what high standards look like.

  • “When it comes to display there is just one question you need to ask yourself, and that is ‘what is it for?’. Its sole purpose is not to make your space look pretty – although what you display should get you that result. It is there to provoke self-esteem and wellbeing, so a child can look at their work and be proud – ‘I did that’, or it is there to provoke learning. Something that will teach or remind but most of all engage.”

    Alistair Bryce Clegg

Valuing the learning environment

We will take care when selecting and placing materials around our schools, in the same way that we would in our own homes. Wherever possible, we will use natural materials, muted and soft colours; careful placement of objects, images and quotes throughout makes the entire experience of being there feel special.

“While it is not ‘precious’ or forced, the environment is respectful and sophisticated”.Kath Murdoch

Carefully chosen provocations around the school will invite interaction from the children.

The Classroom Environment
Ensuring that our identity, values and beliefs are clear and visible.


We want our learning environment to reflect our values, as well as our enquiry-based curriculum. These values and principles should be explicit on the walls or tables rather than being hidden in a policy document on an office shelf. The learning environment serves as a constant reminder to everyone of the shared beliefs underpinning our schools.

The following areas should be represented within the classroom as a minimum:

  • Curious Curriculum – this should include opportunity for the display to be led by the children’s developing interests.
  • Maths
  • English
  • Phonics (EYFS/KS1)
  • Reading Area


1. Learning Walls
We have a ‘learning wall’ approach to display within the classroom. Learning walls should show a range of examples of children’s work, in a range of media – taking on a ‘scrapbook’ feel. Displays should ‘grow’ as the learning progresses; with examples of learning going on display as they happen (not held back to be displayed as a finished product).

Backgrounds should be neutral, borders should define a space or compliment it, without fighting with it. It is children’s work and creativity that should take centre stage.

The class key text should be clearly visible within the classroom display; this may be within the themed learning display board.

  • “Children’s thinking is made visible throughout the school – every area outlines a learning journey”.

    Kath Murdoch

2. Maths & English Learning Walls
A learning wall should include learning prompts linked to the key skills appropriate to the age and stage of the children. These prompts should be used to support teaching and learning, encouraging children to engage with their environment and the resources/prompts available to them.

Examples of work, in a variety of media, should be added as the learning journey progresses.

3. Phonics

A phonics display should reflect the phonic phase/phases the children are currently working within. It should include learning prompts that are easily accessible to the children and its use, as a support to learning, should be modelled by adults (for example, if a child asks for help with spelling a word, an adult could support them in finding the appropriate phonemes on the learning journey).

4. Reading Area

All classrooms should include an inviting and gender neutral book area. Soft furnishings, well displayed books and storytelling props all add to the appeal and encourage children to spend time in a book corner, engaging with books and stories.

At Olympus we believe that communication is a key component to learning to read and write. Therefore, we encourage teachers to create ‘book nooks’ and use Elizabeth Jarman’s approach to Communication Friendly Spaces (CFS). Books should be available in all areas of the classroom and school, not just in the book or reading area.

5. De-constructed role-play

At Olympus we not only value, but actively encourage, de-constructed role-play to provide children with the opportunities and materials to be curious and innovative. This could be a selection of provocations that include materials to inspire children to create their own environments. Classrooms will often include such an area. This area should be changed regularly (at least once each term) and should reflect the interests of the children.

The School Environment (beyond the classroom)

Research suggests that we benefit greatly from stronger connections between indoor and outdoor spaces.

  • “Taking time to think about and rethink the way we ‘curate’ the physical environment is time well spent.”. Kath Murdoch

Display

Corridor Displays

Display in the corridors will celebrate a current theme/key text. As in the classroom, backgrounds should be neutral, borders should define a space or compliment it, without fighting with it. It is children’s work and creativity that should take centre stage.

Learners’ work should be displayed in an eye-catching manner and the title of the theme/key text should be clear.

“I see the teachers and children as ‘curators’ in the same way a gallery or a museum might be curated.”.Kath Murdoch

Provocations and 3D Displays

Provocations and 3D Displays will be used around the school to develop engagement, participation and critical thinking.

An Enabling Environment

Resources should be easily accessible, inviting and clearly labelled.

Communication Friendly Spaces

All Olympus Academy Trust primary schools aim to be Communication Friendly Spaces, based on our work with Elizabeth Jarman.

Elizabeth Jarman says, “It’s critical to understand how the physical space needs to connect with the underpinning pedagogy of the setting or school. It’s essential to tune into the environment from the learner’s perspective. We need to observe the way that children interact with the environment if a developmentally appropriate, inclusive and responsive learning space is to evolve, which really meets the needs of children in the space, reflecting their preferred contexts for learning.”

In line with these principles, all Olympus Academy Trust primary school environments will provide:

Physical Environment

  • Classrooms, which are warm, clean, airy, calm and welcoming.
  • Furniture, which is comfortable and capable of being easily moved to ensure variety.
  • Areas should be provided for quiet, individual, paired or group reflection or reading.
  • Displays, including learning/wonder walls, provocations and learning resources which will stimulate enquiry and interest.
  • Free access to water and the toilet.

 
Social and Emotional Environment

We will:

  • Greet learners by name and their chosen way of being welcomed, thus making them feel welcome.
  • Create a calm and purposeful demeanour, expecting our pupils to do the same.
  • Create routines help to establish order.
  • Show high and consistent expectations of every pupil.
  • Make a point of commending and rewarding good behaviour.
  • Praise those who engage in the learning process. 

Outdoor Learning

Forest School is an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.

Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

 

 

Benefits of Forest School

 

  • Provides real life experiences
  • A relaxed environment
  • Focuses on teamwork
  • Provides more freedom, physically and mentally
  • Encourages creativity
  • Increases confidence and self-esteem
  • Improves language and communication skills
  • Encourages/improves social skills
  • Encourages curiosity and imagination
  • Provides an increased awareness/self-belief
  • An opportunity to learn about risk and how to deal with it
  • Improves physical agility and coordination
  • Encourages problem solving and critical thinking
  • Provides exciting new challenges/activities/opportunities
  • Encourages/improves resistance and perseverance
  • Encourages an awareness of the local environment/community/wildlife

 

 

“Natural places are singularly engaging, stimulating, life-enhancing environments where children can reach new depths of understanding about themselves, their abilities and their relationship with the world.”

                       (Tim Gill)      

 

Social and Emotional Learning

At Bradley Stoke Community School we believe that learners’ spiritual, emotional and cultural, health and well-being are as important as their academic. We pride ourselves on the wide range of curriculum opportunities, strategies and approaches that we employ in order to ensure our learners are prepared for the next phase of their educational career and for life in general. In order to achieve this, we use a variety of schemes and approaches to support the planning and delivery of:

  • Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
  • Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Education (SMSC)
  • Philosophy for Children (P4C)
  • Mindfulness
  • Emotional Coaching
  • Mental Health and Well-being

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

At Bradley Stoke Community School we have adopted the PSHE scheme ‘Jigsaw’.

  • “Jigsaw PSHE brings together Personal, Social, Health and Economic education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a lesson-a-week programme. Designed as a whole school approach, Jigsaw provides a comprehensive scheme of learning for Foundation Stage to Year 6… Jigsaw is a mindful approach to PSHE…(it) aims to help children know and value who they really are and how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world. ”

    (Jigsaw: 2018)

  •  JIGSAW THEMES
    Term one-Being Me in My World
    Term two-Celebrating Differences
    Term three-Dreams and Goals
    Term four-Healthy Me
    Term 5-Relationships
    Term 6-Changing Me

Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural beliefs

We believe that the teaching of values and ensuring learners have a good understanding of their responsibility within our community and wider society is crucial. This is especially important if young learners are to take their place in the world and make an important contribution to our society. In believing this, we place value on teaching children about their rights and responsibilities in school and their community, the moral dilemmas and decisions that they may be faced with and in their lives and giving them opportunities to learn about and understand their place in the world. We believe that learners grow from a sense of belonging and a feeling of ‘knowing who they are’, we support the teaching of respecting others’ beliefs and religions and provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for learners to explore their own ideas and believes and sense of self.

Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional Learning has 5 components and we teach each of these to our children.

How do we do Social and Emotional Learning?

Philosopy for Children (P4C) takes place in each class at least once a week for 15 minutes provided by http://www.philosophy4children.co.uk/ 

As a values-led school we believe regular P4C sessions enable us to provide a safe space to explore the true meaning of our core values, as well as current topical issues that we find interesting to discuss & are passionate about.

Research (please refer to www.sapere.org.uk for details) shows that P4C supports the development of children’s cognitive, speaking, listening & reasoning skills. This in turn results in improved literacy & Maths outcomes.

We aim to offer a way to open up children’s learning through enquiry and the exploration of ideas. Children learn that their ideas have value, and that the ideas of other children have value too. Through Philosophy for Children they realise that they don’t always have to be right, but they gain the confidence to ask questions and learn through discussion.

Teachers will teach learners to ‘think critically, creatively, collaboratively and caringly’.

The frequency of P4C and Mindfulness very much depends on the needs of each individual child and class.

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