Wider World Curriculum for the 21st Century
Intent
Twickenham Primary School is a place for outstanding academic excellence. Our school motto 'Be all you can be' is the basis of everything that we do.
We are a school where every child aspires to attain academic achievement to the best of their abilities. We believe all our children will develop a lifelong love of learning through engagement in our exciting and ambitious curriculum, taught by excellent teachers.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced, and progressively builds on skills, knowledge and conceptual understanding year on year. Our teaching, assessment and feedback leads to long-term learning and prepares our children for secondary education and beyond.
Our curriculum is wrapped around our core values of cooperation, growth, integrity, kindness and respect. The learning that takes place at Twickenham goes beyond the National Curriculum to ensure that children are exposed to the awe and wonder of the world around them.
Our children are the heart of our curriculum design. Our curriculum is well sequenced, ambitious and connected. It recognises individuality and encourages cooperation and community mindedness. The big ideas that sculpt and shape our curriculum prepare children academically, socially, and emotionally for the next steps towards adulthood.
Implementation
As a school, we use the National Curriculum as a starting point, and deepen further using adapted projects from Cornerstones Curriculum Maestro. Projects are flexible and have been adapted to consider the needs, strengths, and community context of our children.
Our curriculum framework ensures our children make progress. Our design scaffolds specific skills within a cross-curricular project each term. This is achieved through a 4-step process of: Engage, Develop, Innovate, Express. This process offers a distinctive learning journey, which builds upon prior knowledge and understanding. At the end of the project, the children participate in opportunities to reflect on their learning and explain key information they have learnt and remembered. The children can connect key concepts across subjects and develop skills and understanding they need for subsequent learning.
At the heart of our curriculum is the drive to expose our children to quality experiences and lessons with a large element of choice and need for independent, critical, and creative thinking.
We believe that our curriculum gives children real opportunities to develop key social skills, to develop integrity, to demonstrate respect, celebrate diversity and understand the values that underpin a democratic society.
Subject driver Geography
The aim of our geography-led projects is to inspire children’s curiosity and fascination about the world that we live in and its people. We aim to ignite a love of learning and equip children with the geographical skills to develop their knowledge through the study of places, people, natural environments and human environments.
Children’s knowledge and skills develop progressively as they move through the school, not only to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but to prepare them to become competent geographers in secondary education.
Subject driver History
The aim of our history-led projects is to engender in the children a sense of understanding of themselves and our world through comparison and contrast with the lives of past peoples and cultures. We aim to develop the children’s sense of the past as a direct influence on us and as an ongoing story of its own.
Timelines are used throughout the school so that key events are placed in the correct periods of time, therefore developing chronological understanding.
We will develop their knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the school, in line with the National Curriculum requirements and in a way that sets them up for future historical learning.
Impact
Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence, and good behaviour. Pupils have a strong desire to embrace challenges and to be resilient learners.
Our children make connections across their learning: between subjects, between year groups, between themes learnt within one year. Our children embed their learning and recall knowledge. They can apply, justify and communicate their knowledge and learning effectively using relevant and appropriate vocabulary.
The Cornerstones curriculum enables subject leaders to monitor coverage of subject areas across the school, so that teachers can plan to provide the greatest breadth and balance. These strategies enable teachers to plan for intervention and challenge within the wider curriculum.
As our new curriculum develops, children are expected to make good or better progress in all foundation subjects. Children are assessed during every lesson, which enables our teachers to plan the next steps for each child. Teachers assess against the learning objectives and the basic skill requirements for each year group. This enables pupils to make progress within individual lessons and over time. Progress is reported to parents and carers at parents’ evenings and end of year reports.
At Twickenham Primary, we will measure the impact of our curriculum through:
- attainment and progress data
- attendance rates
- behaviour records
- pupil interviews, book scrutinies and subject observations
- curriculum reviewing and the sharing of good practice with peers
Geography
In EYFS, children begin to develop an understanding of the world around them. They have lots of opportunities to explore their physical environment, both in school and in the local area. They will also learn about the important role of family and the wider community in keeping them safe and happy.
In Key Stage 1, children continue to develop a keen understanding of the world around them and their place within it. They are introduced to key geographical concepts and vocabulary, and will develop a range of skills, such as making and reading maps and completing fieldwork activities in the local area.
Traversing further into human and physical aspects of geography, children in Key Stage 2 will enjoy topics including, ‘Misty Mountain, Winding River’, ‘Coastline’, ‘Rocks, Relics and Rumbles’, and ‘Frozen Kingdoms’. These topics are enhanced with a range of first hand geographical experiences including hill climbing and inspecting waterways.
All aspects of the National Curriculum are carefully planned into our topics, ensuring that key geographical knowledge is taught progressively, building on prior learning and preparing for new challenges. Our detailed analysis grid shows exactly where and when each programme of study is taught.
A link to our whole school plan can be found below:
History
Drawing upon their personal experiences and settings, characters and cultures encountered in familiar stories, children in EYFS are introduced to key historical concepts, such as the past and present. They are invited to share their own experiences, and begin to explore and understand the experiences of others through discussion, story-telling and visits from members of the wider community.
In Key Stage 1, children continue to develop a strong understanding of the past and their place within it. Children will learn more about our local area as part of a local history study (‘School Days’ topic) and be inspired by some of the amazing people who have shaped the world that we live in. They also learn about the English and British monarchy from AD871 to the present day.
As the children reach Key Stage 2, they dive into a chronology of the history of Britain, learning how aspects of life have changed from the Stone Age, right through to the Tudors and Victorians. Pupils will explore the legacy of Celtic and Roman Britain, Viking invasions and will sail across seas to Ancient Egypt, Far Eastern Dynasties, and Ancient Greece. A more recent historical study is completed in our ‘Britain at War’ topic.
All aspects of the National Curriculum are carefully planned into our topics, ensuring that key historical knowledge is taught progressively, building on prior learning and preparing for new challenges. Our detailed analysis grid shows exactly where and when each programme of study is taught.
A link to our whole school plan can be found below:
Music
At Twickenham Primary School, we understand that music allows personal expression and can inspire and motivate children.
Music reflects culture and society and so the teaching and learning of music enables children to better understand the world they live in.
Music plays an important role in helping children feel part of a community.
The content of our Music Curriculum fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum for Music. It teaches the inter-related dimensions of music (rhythm, pulse, pitch, tempo, dynamics, timbre, metre, and structure) and helps children apply and interpret these through performance, composition, appreciation and understanding of the history of music.
From September 2023 the school has implemented Music Express as our music curriculum across the school.
Intent
The intent of implementing Music Express in a Primary School is to provide a high-quality music education that enables all pupils to develop a deep understanding and appreciation for music. This includes nurturing pupils' musical abilities, building their confidence in performing, composing, and listening to music, as well as fostering a love for various musical styles and genres. Music Express aims to ensure that every child can express themselves musically, promoting personal, social, and cultural development.
The key objectives of the school's intent in using Music Express are as follows:
- To ensure that all pupils experience a broad and balanced music curriculum, meeting the requirements of the National Curriculum for Music.
- To provide progressive music education that builds upon prior knowledge and skills, offering challenging and stimulating opportunities for all pupils.
- To develop pupils' understanding of musical concepts, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and structure, through active participation and exploration.
- To promote creativity and self-expression through composing, improvising, and performing music individually and collaboratively.
- To celebrate diversity and cultural heritage by exploring a wide range of musical styles, genres, and traditions from different periods and societies.
- To foster a love for music, encouraging pupils to actively engage with and appreciate various forms of music throughout their lives.
Implementation
To effectively implement Music Express, we have ensured the curriculum plan offers both skills-based and knowledge-based learning, across a range of musical experiences. Music is taught either as discrete weekly lessons, or as a block of learning. We continue to actively promote cultural diversity by exploring music from different cultures and time periods. We are continuously adapting the schemes of work provided my music express to suit the needs and interests of the pupils and better reflect the communities we are proud to be a part of.
We are working alongside the music support service to provide violin tuition and musicianship skills to all year 4 pupils.
We have started to find ways to provide opportunities for cross-curricular learning, connecting music with other subjects, such as our wider study topics and events in the school calendar. At present, music features in our Wider study curriculum, our PE lessons through Dance, and our French lessons.
Impact
Pupils will demonstrate progress in their musical skills, knowledge, and understanding, as evidenced through formative and summative assessments.
Pupils will actively participate and engage in all aspects of music education, displaying enthusiasm and enjoyment during lessons and performances.
Pupils will gain confidence in their musical abilities, showcasing their skills through performances, compositions, and improvisations.
Pupils will show an increased awareness and appreciation of a wide range of musical styles, genres, and cultural traditions, promoting inclusivity.
Pupils who continue their musical education into secondary school will have a solid foundation, enabling them to further develop their musical talents.
Art and Design
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Pablo Picasso
Our art curriculum engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.
Children are given opportunities to explore their ideas by experimenting, inventing and creating their own varied works of art using a range of materials. They learn how to draw, paint, sculpt and explore other art, craft and design techniques.
We study examples of famous art works and explored different styles of art using different media to build appreciation, critical thinking and understanding of aspects of art and design.
Through interconnecting our art with our history and geography driver topics, we can teach our children how art and design can reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
Our definition of art and design is:
Art consists of paintings, sculpture, and other pictures or objects which are created for people to look at and admire or think deeply about.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
As children’s creativity begins to flourish in EYFS, they are given the opportunity to create, design and explore using a wide range of media and materials. All children are encouraged to develop new skills, such as mark making, painting and modelling, and enjoy expressing their creativity in both the indoor and outdoor learning environment.
Children are encouraged to practise their handling, moving and control skills (for example, by painting or using clay). Materials are accessible through continuous provision for children to develop and explore their ideas and to be imaginative.
Key stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)
At Twickenham Primary School, we use the content of art and design teaching and learning as set out in the 2014 National Curriculum for primary schools in England. Pupils are given opportunities to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products through drawing, painting and sculpture. They explore different techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.
Another important aspect of the art and design curriculum is learning about the work of a range of artists,
Children will be inspired by the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers. They will have the opportunity to use different tools and materials to make a wide range of sculptures, models, paintings and drawings. They will learn about the art processes - describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
Key stage 2 (Years 3 to 6)
The content of our art and design curriculum in Key Stage 2 builds on what children have learned in Key Stage 1. Children develop and improve their skills in drawing, painting and sculpture using a range of different materials. They record their learning and have opportunities to review and revisit ideas. They continue to learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.
Design and Technology
In EYFS, children are given the opportunity to explore many of the basic skills and concepts that underpin Design and Technology through model making and play, both indoors and outside. They will enjoy trying and cooking new foods, and learn how to use basic kitchen equipment safely.
As they progress into Key Stage 1, children continue to develop their design and technology skills. They will begin to design and create their own models, such as large scale dinosaur junk models, exploring and evaluating the features of a good design. They will also develop their creativity in the kitchen, making bread and tasting and developing a range of healthy foods.
Pupils in Key Stage 2 will become more aware of kitchen facilities and will experience cooking and baking through their topics, from Roman soup to healthy snacks. Along with skills in the kitchen, children will have the chance to use a variety of materials to create and build, such as their very own class rocket!
Detailed Coverage Analysis – Design & Technology
PROGRAMME OF STUDY |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria. |
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Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology. |
x |
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Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing). |
x |
x |
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Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics. |
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x |
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Explore and evaluate a range of existing products. |
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Evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria. |
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Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable. |
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Explore and use mechanisms (for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles), in their products. |
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Use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes. |
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Understand where food comes from. |
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Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups. |
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. Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design. |
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Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing), accurately. |
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Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities. |
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Investigate and analyse a range of existing products. |
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Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work. |
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Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world. |
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Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures. |
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Understand and use mechanical systems in their products (for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages). |
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Understand and use electrical systems in their products (for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors). |
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Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products. |
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Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet. |
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Prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques. |
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Understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed. |
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