Statement of Intent
At Parkside, we believe in providing an holistic approach to teaching and learning which helps prepare children for their next stage of education. Our curriculum embraces a wide range of learning opportunities; it includes the statutory legal requirements of the New National Curriculum 2014 in addition to the school’s ‘hidden’ curriculum, which reflects the school’s values, whilst promoting personal growth and enriching the experiences of children. We believe in making learning exciting and fun, making use of links across subjects to ensure lessons are purposeful and have true meaning.
“Visits, visitors and special events are woven into the tapestry of experiences to add excitement and colour to pupils’ experiences”. Ofsted April 2016
We have four key drivers which underpin teaching and learning and are at the heart of our curriculum:
- Aspirations
- Knowledge of the world & our community
- Caring for others and our environment
- Independent thinkers and Learners
Our curriculum ensures children achieve the basic skills of reading, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling and mathematical recall and understanding. Continuous assessment ensures that all children are challenged and encouraged to perform to their full potential.
“The curriculum is lively, varied and exciting. Pupil’s interests are sparked through a range of interesting activities that draw upon their developing key skills.” Ofsted April 2016
As part of our unique curriculum, staff and pupils have devised a Parkside Adventures Passport; a collection of experiences and activities we would like all pupils to achieve during their time at Parkside.
Our unique Parkside curriculum aims…
- To equip pupils with secure basic skills for life in English, Maths & Computing within a relevant, varied and rich skills-based curriculum.
- To teach our children how to grow into positive, responsible people who can work and co-operate with others while developing their knowledge and skills, so that they achieve their full potential.
- To increase pupil's knowledge and understanding as they grow and develop and become more aware of the world around them.
- To enable pupils to develop a sense of community and belonging, contributing to our local community and global community through direct interaction.
- To ensure the curriculum is carefully planned and structured so that learning is progressive, continuous and that pupils make good progress.
- To make learning meaningful, by putting it into context
- To listen to pupils and involve them in the development of the curriculum in order to engage their interest, encourage and motivate pupils to want to learn.
- To be exciting and offer pupils first-hand experience to reinforce their learning and to underpin their growing knowledge, skills and understanding.
- To bring learning to life through visits, visitors and theme days.
- To open our pupil’s eyes to the wonders of creation and cause them to marvel at the incredible and fantastic world in which we live.
