Curriculum

The National Curriculum will be made available for all pupils wherever possible.  Where pupils have SEND the school will make full use of classroom and school resources, and may also request support from external agencies, to ensure children can access the curriculum or alternative learning.  The school will make provision for pupils with SEND to match the nature of their individual needs and the class teacher and SENCo will keep regular records of the pupils’ special
educational needs, the action taken and the outcomes. There will be flexible groupings of pupils so that learning needs may be met in individual, small group or whole class contexts.

The curriculum will be differentiated to meet the needs of individual pupils. Teaching styles and flexible groups will reflect this approach. Programmes of Study for pupils, within classes and year groups, will reflect whole school approaches to teaching and learning and will take account of special educational needs.  Any
child presenting with a higher level of SEND will have a ‘Supporting Me to Learn Plan’. This ‘person centred’ approach will ensure school and home recognise the child’s strengths and areas of difficulty, likes and dislikes and highlight any barriers to learning. Targets will be set and reviewed at least termly, finely graded to ensure that they experience success. Alternatively, some children will receive targeted support via specific interventions or ‘Booster’ sessions.

We support children in a manner that acknowledges their entitlement to share the same learning experiences that their peers enjoy. However, there are times when, to maximise earning, we ask the children to work in small groups, or in a one-to-one situation outside the classroom

To ensure all children are able to access the curriculum at an appropriate level and fulfill their potential we take some of the following actions:

• Make adaptations to ensure that all pupils have access to the school curriculum and school activities.
• Support pupils to achieve their full potential despite any difficulty or disability they may have.
• Ensure that staff are aware of pupil’s individual needs and teach in a way that is appropriate for them.
• Provide opportunities for pupils to develop confidence, self-esteem and resilience.
• Work in partnership with parents/carers, pupils and external agencies to cater for children’s special educational needs and disabilities.
• Make provision for children with SEND to fully develop their abilities, interests and talents.
• Identify special educational needs at the earliest opportunity to ensure early intervention and support.
• Ensure all children with SEND are fully included in all aspects of school life.
• Regularly review policy and practice in order to achieve the best outcomes for all our pupils

Please click here to see the SEN page to find out more.

The teaching of English at St Helen’s is designed to instil in children a love of speaking and listening, reading and writing that will last them a lifetime. Giving pupils the key knowledge in English enables them to access material in all curriculum areas, and provides a foundation for their learning throughout their school career. To achieve this, teachers are focussed on making English interesting and exciting, engaging the pupils with the joy and wonder of books and piquing their imagination and creativity.

At St Helen’s we view the teaching of English as a fundamental part of the holistic development of the child, fostering positive behaviours and attitudes toward learning, and providing key knowledge, to benefit pupils throughout their education and beyond.  We value the importance of vocabulary and the importance of acquiring a wide range of vocabulary whether this is through our word of the month or appreciating our rich and varied literary heritage. 

This all starts with our phonics which is the foundation of our literacy strategy.  This is taught through Floppy Phonics programme and enables learners to flourish within a culture of continuous improvement.  We want all children to read fluently with a good understanding and know this can only happen when a sound knowledge of phonics is there which creates a love of reading.

We strive for high expectations and encourage high standards of written work across all subject areas allowing children to aspire in all areas of the curriculum.

Writing at St Helen's

Progression Document for Reading

Progression Document for SPaG

At St Helen’s we aim to make each and every step on the pupils’ mathematics journey creative and engaging. We focus on developing a culture of ‘deep thinkers’ as well as building confidence, resilience and a passion for mathematics by showing them that the subject is fun, exciting and accessible to all learners. By instilling these values from EYFS, pupils will become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics and to be able to reason and to solve problems, using a range of strategies to support their learning, as well as allowing them to make connections between the mathematical ideas and concepts as they move through school. Also, we place great emphasis on mathematical language and questioning so pupils can discuss the mathematics they are doing, and so support them to take ideas further.

Our curriculum is mapped by the White Rose Maths Hub scheme of work. We focus on a progression from concrete resources to pictorial representations and finally into the numerical abstract to aid our children’s conceptual understanding. As a result, we are seeing a growth in confidence in all of our learners, especially in areas of problem solving and reasoning.

In EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2, we further support this learning with the NCETM Mastering Number Programme which aims to secure firm foundations in the development of good number sense for all children. By the end of KS1, children will leave with fluency in calculation and a confidence and flexibility with number.

St Helen's Maths Overview - explanded

St Helen's Maths Calculation Policy Overview

St Helen's Calculation Policy - Addition and Subtraction

St Helen's Calculation Policy - Multiplication and Division

Examples of the White Rose Maths planning can be found at:

White Rose Maths 

At St Helen’s CE Primary School, our science teaching aims to deliver a curriculum which enables the children to explore and discover the world around them confidently, respecting the unique nature of each individual child, so they have a deeper understanding of the world we live in.  To achieve this, it involves exciting, practical, hands-on experiences that encourages scientific curiosity and questioning.

Our aim is that these stimulating and challenging experiences help the children secure and extend their scientific knowledge and vocabulary. We aim to inspire children and develop their love of science and enable them to live life to its fullness.

We seek to broaden children’s scientific experiences both inside and outside the classroom, within our dynamic environments and through educational visits, visitors, exploration and discovery.  We believe these opportunities will ensure that the children are confident life-long learners who will explore the world around them and be able to apply a range of knowledge and skills they have acquired, to other subjects and in a variety of different situations.

Science Long Term Plan

Science Progression Document

At St Helen’s CE Primary School, our computing curriculum aims to instil a sense of enjoyment around using technology, understanding of using devices safely and to develop pupil’s appreciation of its capabilities and the opportunities technology offers. We aim to produce pupils who can create, manage, organise and collaborate.

Part of developing a deeper understanding of the software and programs that we use is ‘Tinkering’, which forms part of the ethos of our curriculum as we want to develop pupil’s confidence when encountering new technology, a vital skill in the ever evolving and changing landscape of technology. Through our curriculum, we intend for pupils not only to be digitally competent and have a range of transferable skills at a suitable level for the future workplace, but also be responsible online citizens.

St Helen's Long Term Plan

Example Y2 Knowledge Organiser

Example Y6 Knowledge Organiser 

At St Helen’s CE Primary School our PSHE teaching aims to deliver a curriculum which enables the children to become confident, creative, independent and resilient learners.

PSHE education is integral to our curriculum and is planned to ensure our children to make progress and leave us as responsible, happy citizens. We aim to develop the qualities of mind, body and spirit, through links to the Parish, local and wider communities. We aim to promote Christian values and morals and encourage positive friendships, outstanding behaviour and self confidence in all areas of school life. Our core ethos is ‘We are what we repeatedly do’ and through this we aim to enable children to become well-rounded individual members of our school and wider community.

We seek to broaden children’s real-life experiences both inside and outside the classroom through educational visits, visitors, exploration and discovery. 

PSHE Long Term Plan

PSHE/RSE Medium Term Plans

PSHE Progression Document

How contextual information is linked to the PSHE curriculum - Domestic Violence

How contextual information is linked to the PSHE curriculum - CCE/County Lines

How contextual information is linked to the PSHE curriculum - Neglect

At St Helen’s CE Primary School our history teaching aims to deliver a curriculum which enables the children to become confident, creative, independent and individual learners, providing them with an understanding of the past through learning about human achievements and experiences.  The children will develop their sense of chronology throughout the study of the topics in Key Stages 1 and 2.  Children will develop and broaden their critical thinking skills. They will investigate sources such as pictures, stories, accounts and artefacts to ask and answer questions about the past and how these have an impact on the world today.  We also aim to develop children’s local understanding of history and develop their knowledge about the area that they live in.   We seek to broaden children’s real-life experiences both inside and outside the classroom through educational visits, visitors, exploration and discovery.  We believe that within history lessons, our children acquire a range of knowledge and skills which they can apply to other subjects and in a variety of different situations, in order to develop a love of history.

History Long Term Plan

History Progression Document

History Knowledge Organiser

At St Helen’s CE Primary School, our geography teaching aims to deliver a curriculum where the children are inspired to find out about physical and human geography, both in their local area and the wider world.

Through their growing knowledge and understanding of geography, our children will learn about different places, people and the environment. 

By exploring their own locality and community, and through studying others, they will learn how to draw and interpret maps and deepen their geographical skills through enquiry learning, both inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout our Geography curriculum, we aim to develop children’s knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world. We also aim to link our geography teaching with our historical studies, so that children gain a deeper understanding and begin to make links between the two.

We aim to instil an awareness of the impact that we as humans have on the environment, using our Christian values to support this.  Through this, we strive to inspire our children to take responsibility, respect the environment and to become positive contributors towards the conservation of our planet, as well as inspiring a sense of awe and wonder in the world around them.

Geography Long Term Plan

Geography Progression Document

Geography Knowledge Organiser

At St Helen’s CE Primary School, our teaching of  Art aims to enhance our full curriculum in the development of the unique child and fully supports our Christian vision and ethos Our school, together with family, church and community, offers a stable rock for learning, resilience and aspiration as we travel through life.

Children love art at St Helen’s CE Primary School, our approach enthuses the children and leads to some really exciting art, craft and design opportunities that links to some aspects of our topic work.

We plan carefully as a school, and have now begun focussing half termly on specific areas of the Art and Design curriculum, to ensure that it meets the needs of the children.  Ensuring a progression in the full range of skills and knowledge needed by the children and promoting breadth and balance in their work is very important to us.

Art, craft and design is very much central to this vision. We place emphasis on the use of first-hand experience, experimentation and development of ideas and skills based on a wide range of stimuli.  Enabling children to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern- using different materials and processes, the art, craft and design experiences at St Helen’s CE Primary School have a positive impact on other areas of the curriculum.

Art, craft and design provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world, which lay the foundations to progressing later on.

Art Long Term Plan 2022 -2023

Art Progression Document

Art Knowledge Organiser

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

DT Long Term Plan

DT Progression Document

At St Helen’s CE Primary School=, we strongly believe that the study of Primary Languages prepares pupils to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly carried out in languages other than English. Pupils use languages to communicate information responsibly, creatively and without discrimination. They learn how to employ languages to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures. Primary Languages is also about the broader curriculum – about understanding language and identity, about developing an international outlook, and about learning. Increased capability in the use of languages promotes initiative and independent learning and encourages diversity within society.

French Long Term Plan

French Progression Document

At St Helens CE Primary School, music is an integral part of our dynamic environment.  We aim to ensure that music is fully embedded in every aspect of school life and our aspiration is that every child adopts a lifelong love of music. We believe that the opportunity to engage in musical experiences is crucial for the development of the whole child. Learning music develops all aspects of a child’s learning, from the physical action of using an instrument to the mathematical skills needed to keep a pulse. These abilities are directly transferable to other areas of the curriculum, allowing them to flourish, and will be invaluable in their future life.

 At our school, children have access to music through regular classroom activities, through collective worship and formal music lessons, as well as extra opportunities including after school clubs and wider performance opportunities within the community.

Through playing, singing, creating and performing, children will develop confidence, communication, thinking and creative skills and improve their emotional well-being. In addition, as these activities utilise both sides of the brain, it will foster connections which will improve memory and coordination. The skills involved in playing and listening to music will also help learners develop the self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, creativity, and self-motivation necessary for success. Children will find that music is enjoyable and relaxing which will help reduce stress and helps to instil mindfulness. All children will be able to experience a sense of achievement and develop aspirations in the creative arts field.

Music Long Term Plan

Music Progression Document

At St. Helens CE Primary School our vision for Physical Education and Sport is that every child should have the opportunity to take part in physical activity on a regular basis and become more physically confident and competent. We hope that, through all the sporting opportunities and physical activities we offer, the children will develop a love and passion for sport/physical activity and continue this into their later lives.

We aim to provide the children with at least 2 hours of fun, exciting and active PE lessons every week and to keep the children healthy and active every day. We also aim to educate them on a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle.

At St. Helens, we also strive to give as many children as possible the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitions, within school or by representing the school at local events. We hope that in doing so the children will develop greater confidence, team work and learn to win or lose with grace and sportsmanship.

At St Helens we aim to develop leadership skills in pupils by creating play leaders. By emphasising leadership, we hope the children learn the importance of communication, organisation, team work, resilience, and have  raised aspirations.

PE and Sport are a part of the St. Helen’s experience and we hope that this continues to grow in the future and so that it prepares our children for a full, healthy and enjoyable life.

PE Long Term Plan

PE Progression Document

At St Helens CE Primary School, we aim to develop children’s skills of enquiry, reasoned argument and reflection. Our school, together with family, church and community, offers a stable rock for learning, resilience and aspiration as we travel through life. 

 We commit to create a dynamic environment, with Christian values at the heart, where the unique nature of each individual is respected and nurtured to enable life in all its fullness. 

 Alongside Christianity, children are taught about a range of religions and learn to respect and ask questions about different religions, traditions and cultures around the world. As a CofE church school, we have developed strong links with our local church and this forms an integral part of our school life. We pay particular attention to the Christian calendar, participating in a range of festivals and celebrations that enhance our children’s spiritual development. 

We believe children learn best from real experiences in order to capture their imaginations and encourage curiosity. We try to enhance our curriculum in many ways to ensure this is how children learn and respect different religions. The whole school ethos is to encourage children enquire and ask questions in order to impact on their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. During religious education lessons, children are challenged to push themselves to think outside of their comfort zones and explore their skills, beliefs and ideas; asking questions at all times whilst experiencing practical lessons. 

Children are taught to think about their own school and personal values and to understand how people of different backgrounds or beliefs may share similar perspectives whilst differing in other values. Questions are constantly being asked of children whilst allowing them to ask their own questions in order to develop their critical thinking, self-belief and self-confidence. Children exhibit their religious education in many ways, from dance, creativity, writing and role-play in order to fully immerse children in understanding of faiths. 

RE Long Term Plan

RE Progression Document