Whole School Curriculum

Curriculum Intent Statement

The aim of this academy is to provide opportunities for our children to develop as independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society.

We aim to empower learners to think about their own learning more explicitly and to enable them to monitor and evaluate their progress, setting targets for themselves. Our curriculum is underpinned by metacognition and self-regulation principles which support our vision of happy,confident and independent pupils. We recognise prior learning and our curriculum nurtures and supports children to build on what they know and are familiar with.

The academy provides a highly inclusive environment where all learners care for and have respect for each other. Pupils will be taught to be open to differences in a fair and equal society. Pupils at all levels are helped to achieve their potential: those who are most able are challenged and supported through appropriate extension activities and those who struggle are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills. All are supported to develop at their own pace and learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.

The academy’s focus on curriculum development is carefully designed to ensure coverage and progression. Our text led approach puts literacy at the very heart of our curriculum and leads to a stimulating and engaging programme of learning which is truly cross-curricular. We firmly believe that reading underpins all our learning experiences and we aim to encourage a love of reading in all our pupils.

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities to enhance the curriculum and give opportunities to take part in both before and after school sessions. This enables us to promote physical health and wellbeing. We invest our Sports Premium carefully to allow our children access to a wide range of sporting activities and competitions which as allowed us to achieve the Bronze School Games Award and Healthy Schools status once again.

Our positive behaviour system and our focus on being ready, respectful and safe, encourages children to take pride in their own achievements whilst also developing a sense of team work which further supports the schools community ethos. Pastoral support is built into our curriculum, not only through a structured PHSCE scheme but also through our nurturing school approach.

The school has a range of systems to supports children’s emotional health and wellbeing and ensures that behaviour across the school is excellent. This year we will be exploring ways to use our local area much more as the basis of our Geography work, utilising the wonderful environment around us.

Here at Widnes Academy we have reviewed and revised our Curriculum and are using The LiteracyTree programme to drive all our topics.

Long Term Plan Literacy 2019-2020