Curriculum Intent Implementation and Impact

At St Vincents our motto is Engage, Enrich and Excel

INTENT

At St. Vincent’s, we provide high quality teaching, developing cumulative knowledge, skills and understanding. Our well resourced environment helps pupils to learn effectively, know and remember more and fulfil their potential. Our curriculum is based on the early Years Framework and the National Curriculum for Years 1-6. Careful consideration has been given to the sequencing of knowledge and skills within each subject from Reception to year 6, and from one year group to the next towards clearly defined end points. Our curriculum in EYFS prepares pupils for Year 1. Prior curriculum content shapes readiness for the next stage in learning. When making decisions about the curriculum, we are responsive to emerging needs such as those arising from the pandemic. The curriculum is not narrowed or reduced for pupils and we are aspirational for every learner in order for them to excel. We deliver an outstanding curriculum that is engaging and promotes a love of learning; a curriculum enriched by connecting learners to the local, national and global world, opening doors to new experiences and opportunities and a curriculum for excellence where learners are challenged to let their light shine and be the best they can be. We provide a broad, balanced, modern and well-resourced curriculum enriched by planned first hand experiences, in order to fulfil the requirements of the early years and national curriculum, modern life and a changing technological world. Subject skills and knowledge progression grids are used as the basis for long and medium term planning. Skills and Progression grids have been developed by subject leaders in collaboration with class teachers. Teachers use the long term planning to plan units of work and deliver individual lessons. We teach our children to know more, remember more and to understand more. The curriculum is based on skills for life in order to address social disadvantage. The curriculum also takes into account our school’s local context based on the whole child. Pupils develop a growth mind set approach to learning. Our pupils live out our Catholic mission by responding to social justice and local, national and international charitable work.

IMPLEMENTATION

Learning is sequenced and built upon, so children know more and remember more. We are creative and plan engaging lessons. Recap and recall forms a key part of the lesson, ensuring children have remembered prior knowledge and skills so that knowledge can be built upon so it forms part of the long-term memory. Early reading and the development of vocabulary are at the heart of our curriculum. Our phonics scheme Little Wandle ensures children learn to read in a systematic way. Phonically matched books are part of this process. Reading development is carefully monitored so that reading fluency and comprehension is achieved. Teachers check and embed what pupils already know. Teachers know how new knowledge fits into a ‘bigger picture’ of learning, checking that children are knowing and remembering more. Lessons enable pupils to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts in order to apply their learning through different means of recording and discussion. This is built on prior learning which is referenced and the end point is clear. Retention of knowledge and retrieval is prioritised. Teaching is carefully adapted to meet the needs of all children, including those with SEND. Subject Leaders have sound expert knowledge of the subjects they lead and they are champions of their subject. Assessment, quizzes and recall activities are used to check pupils’ understanding both throughout the lesson, at the end of lessons and summative assessment at the end of units. We have been aspirational in our remote offer for pupils, building on what has been delivered previously and evaluating the effectiveness of our offer. We provide a range of curriculum enrichment in the form of speakers and educational visits. Our extra-curricular activities also help to build skills and character. Pupils lead the charitable work in the school as Mini Vinnies. Pupil leadership opportunities include prefects, ECO club, junior leadership team, wellbeing ambassadors, digital leaders and school councillors help pupils to make a tangible difference to the pupil experience.

IMPACT

The impact of our curriculum is shown in the understanding and retention of knowledge and skills across the curriculum, together with the attainment and progress of our pupils. This is reflected in pupil work, end points, behaviour and attitudes to learning. Pupils understand, retain and call recall information so that they perform well in assessments. Outcomes are excellent and exceed local and national averages. Disadvantaged pupils including those with SEND are given the best opportunities to progress and achieve well. Pupils are prepared well for the next stage of education and are equipped with the necessary life skills in order to support them as they move on. Impact is measured using a range of strategies. These include:

Formative assessments via quizzes, recall activities.
Summative assessments in the form of unit assessments.
Senior Leadership Team and Subject Leader learning walks and drop in sessions
Subject Leader ‘flick and fix’ monitoring
Observation of quality first teaching in lessons checking learning and attitudes to learning.
Book Looks/work scrutiny
Exploring how pupils know more and remember more.
Formal tracking detailing attainment and progress completed termly
Pupil Progress meetings and Pupil Premium and SEND meetings
Evaluation of interventions
Knowledge checks
National testing