Curriculum

We are committed to providing a balanced and integrated curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of each child. We aim to ensure that the requirements of the National Curriculum are met, as well as providing additional opportunities in areas such as a Health and Social Education, Drama, and Citizenship.

We value first-hand experience and therefore see educational visits as a vital part of active learning at all ages and in all subjects. We try to ensure that learning in every subject starts from the child’s present level of understanding and experience and progresses to the highest possible level of achievement for that child.

In planning work for children, teachers refer to the National Curriculum, National Schemes, schemes of work that have been drawn up for Gilsland Church of England Primary School and published schemes. There are policy statements for most subjects, which parents may have on request.
Soon after the beginning of each half term, parents receive information in the form of a newsletter from the teacher, about the curriculum for their own child’s class.

Although some subjects require separate lessons, for instance the Literacy and Numeracy Hours, which focus just on the skills in those subject areas, each Key Stage has a different Topic which is followed in each half term and wherever possible all curriculum subjects will relate to this Topic. The purpose of this, is for children to gain skills and knowledge from various disciplines combined in a meaningful and interesting way.

For example, in the junior class where World War II is studied, aspects of the Literacy Hour may be based on, for example, a text from “The Diary of Anne Frank”, designing and making Anderson Shelters or blow rockets could be the Design and Technology content. Children would also be looking at a variety of sources for their information about the main protagonists and the activities of the civilian populations involved in the War. They would also be involved in role play activities to re-enact the Evacuation of children from the city centres, and will have many discussions about moral issues as they arise. As you can see, a project such as this, therefore, includes aspects of all areas of the National Curriculum taught in an integrated and exciting way which has so much more meaning for our pupils.

Literacy and Numeracy are taught on a daily basis for at least one hour each. P.E. and Music are taught on a weekly basis. However, the subject content of the projects may vary. For example, a class may study a project based mainly on Science and Technology one term, followed by a project involving much more History or Geography the next. A balance of different subjects is therefore achieved over the school year, rather than over a week or a term.

The subjects studied at Gilsland Church of England Primary School include English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Design & Technology, Art, Music, ICT, P.E., R.E. and PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) which includes Sex Education.

Long Term Plan Key Stage 1

Long Term Plan Key Stage 2