The Curriculum at Smithy Bridge School 2014 – 15 

The Smithy Bridge Curriculum includes the current EYFS framework as well as the National Curriculum (and will include the New National Curriculum)

The curriculum at Smithy Bridge includes the following subjects:

Literacy

Phonics is taught  from YN to Y3. The teaching is differentiated according to ability and to meet need. The children have a 20 minute session daily using Letters and Sounds. Support for Spelling is the programme which builds on phonic knowledge and this is carried out from Y2.

Writing has been a key aspect on the School Development plan for some years and from Y1 on children will be expected to do two pieces of extended writing per week.

Children learn to read during their Guided Reading sessions. Reading at home is also a key part of the learning day and a session for new parents on how we teach reading occurs each September. Grammar is also taught in KS2.

Children develop speaking and listening skills through a range of activities as well as drama.

There are a number of withdrawal / support groups to achieve different purposes related to Literacy. These are typically small groups which meet for a specific period to achieve an agreed goal related to progress. Groups can include high or low ability children

Numeracy

There is currently setting in Y4, 5 and 6 for Numeracy. In Y4 and 5 the setting is across 3 sets so children are working in reduced size classes, this has been afforded by Pupil Premium

In Y6 the class groupings include a group who are covering mainly Level 6 work.

As above there are a number of withdrawal / support groups for numeracy.

There is a focus on Problem Solving in Maths and all classes from Y1 – 6 are doing at least one Problem Solving lesson per week.

Science

Targets are set in science.
Cross curricular links have been developed with D&T as well as ICT and this has been a high priority on the school development plan. Skill progressions have been established and cross curricular opportunities have been identified.

ICT

ICT is well provided for at Smithy Bridge with a good computer to pupil ratio. There is an agreed skills progression which is addressed in lessons. There has been significant staff training to develop the use of Green Screen technology in the classroom. Y6 have carried out a Music Technology project.
E-Safety was a specific area of study across all key stages last year, it is now firmly embedded in the taught curriculum.
ICT is used by children across the curriculum. An evening for information to parents is planned on this topic in the Spring Term.

History, Geography, RE

These subjects are delivered through a topic based approach and involve a large number of live experiences including visitors to school and visits to relevant places of interest. These subjects have been used very successfully to launch learning logs in 2011. All year group have at least one Geography field trip each year.

PHSCE

This is taught using a planned curriculum which has the flexibility to be adapted to meet specific class needs.
Local safety needs are covered in detail because of the dangers in the locality.
Drugs and Sex and Relationships education is covered thoroughly.
There is an annual Cultural Awareness Week with a whole school focus. We have  looked at Asylum Seekers and Refugees , being multi-lingual  and later this year we will be looking at another topic as a vehicle for considering different cultures especially those in the Rochdale area.
Two members of staff have had Silver Seals training and this is used especially in the area of behaviour mentoring.
Financial Awareness is moving from being the focus of an annual school event to being embedded in the curriculum for all children.
PHSCE is mainly taught in themes which involve a range of activities and focus on children communicating with each other and developing awareness of their feelings and opinions

MFL

French is taught from YR. A specialist teacher is employed for two days per week. Each class has 20-45 minutes of lessons per week.
German and Spanish clubs are also in operation at lunchtimes.
Parents have been invited to ‘join the lesson’ tasters.

D&T

There has been a new skills progression in this subject and staff training to develop confidence and proper understanding of the design process. All staff have been involved in developing the new design projects which link with Science. Further links will be made with ICT. There is further training planned and has been much investment in equipment.

Art

A skills progression in art is to be developed this year and will be followed by a review of the topics covered.
The school is committed to working towards Artsmark but first involving Y5/6 children in Artsaward.

PE

This has been the subject of staff training and staff meetings last. A specialist PE teacher is working for two days per week in Y6 and members of staff in KS2 have been encouraged to watch her lessons in order to develop their own skills. A coach is also used to release teachers for PPA and to provide extended school opportunities. We are also introducing the assessment of PE in simple ‘I can’ statements.
The criteria for ‘talented pupils is being developed in order to be able to increase the challenge for them in lessons.

Music

A music specialist is employed on one day each week to teach singing to classes using a rota system and to teaching musical composition. All classes have at least one half term of each of these subjects and some receive two half terms of singing. He also leads a motivational singing session in our Achievement Assembly. Music is generally encouraged within school. Children in Y2 learn to play the recorder in lessons and consequently learn to read music.
 In Y3 children have the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and the take up for this is immense. The school has two brass bands, a wind band and other instrumental groups. We also have two choirs being trained and taking part in competitions at a national level. All our musical groups regularly have the chance to play in assembly for the school and this motivates younger children to participate.

SEN

A group of children with significant Special Educational Needs are following a Life skills curriculum which involves fieldwork in the local community; money, cooking, using public transport and shopping are some of the topics with which they regularly engage.

Working in a cross curricular way

Where possible and appropriate the curriculum should be approached in a cross curricular way in order to link subjects and give children an opportunity to generalise skills and to add interest. ICT has a place in the lessons for all subject areas. Teachers must ensure that the skills progression for each subject is addressed and to always be aware in their planning about exactly what is to be taught. The discrete learning of specific skills is also entirely necessary.

Learning Ethos

We are committed to developing and maintaining a learning environment where children have an on-going dialogue about their learning, what they have learned and what their next steps are. There is a heavy emphasis on learning behaviour and generally on respect for others. Our curriculum is fully inclusive and all children have access to it, it is fully differentiated to meet learning need and to present appropriate challenge. (See learning and teaching policy)

The Learning Environment

Smithy Bridge is an old school and the building dates back to 1895. Every effort is made to keep the environment modern, attractive and designed current needs. We have a large purpose built Early Years Unit with discrete outdoor play facilities. Y1 have direct access to outdoor play facilities. We are currently (2013)  developing a large library and study skills area which has been sponsored significantly by our Parents’ Association. We plan also to build a multi-use sports cage in order to extend our PE facilities in 2014.

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