At Elmgrove Primary and Nursery we aim to ‘Inspire and Nurture Lifelong Learners.’ Our intent is to have an aspirational curriculum which coherently sequences knowledge and allows for all pupils to experience rich learning opportunities from EYFS to Year 6. Our staff understand our children and our community and use this knowledge to create a meaningful, diverse curriculum which provides our children with the tools to achieve academically and the cultural capital to succeed as lifelong learners. 

We have high expectations of our Elmgrovian learners. They are taught and encouraged to be hard-working; in every lesson, every day, resilient; to tackle the challenges learning can raise and to be curious; to question and investigate the world around them. 

The depth of the curriculum is underpinned by the school’s commitment to ensure that pupils feel inspired and nurtured and understand their rights in the world in which they live.  This intent underpins every aspect of learning. Leaders, of every level, are committed to ensure that the progress pupils make whilst at the school is at least good and that pupils are equipped to access the next stage of their learning. 

We aim to achieve inclusivity for all regardless of barriers to learning through an emphasis on early identification and quality first teaching. Our purpose, therefore, by setting challenging targets and developing characteristics of resilience and curiosity through a love of learning, is to enable our most vulnerable pupils to realise their full potential. A high emphasis is placed on our intent that each child is properly equipped with a good understanding of English and mathematics. 

All classes from year 1 to year 6 follow the National Curriculum which includes the subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Computing, Geography, History, Music, Art, Design and Technology, Physical Education and Religious Education. Our lessons are implemented using a variety of methods, which include whole class teaching and opportunities for children to learn both in groups and independently. In Key Stage One and Two, we value each of the foundation subjects distinctly, whilst making connections between subjects where relevant. For example, in History, our children become historians. Children are explicitly taught the vocabulary, research skills and chronological knowledge they need to succeed in this subject. When our children become artists, they are taught how to use different materials and how to talk about art and identify different artist’s work. Writing is embedded across the foundation subject curriculum.  

Classes in the Nursery and Reception are in the Early Years Foundation Stage. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum which covers the 7 areas of learning and development; Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Art and Design. These areas are broken down into Early Years Outcomes which lead on to the Early Learning Goals. These areas of learning and development are taught manly in units and sometimes as part of a cross-curricular topic. 

Each year our children can participate in several educational visits and workshops which enrich the curriculum and support learning. Year 3 and 4 have swimming lessons at our local pool and Year 5 and 6 pupils have an opportunity to go on a residential school journey to an activity centre. All pupils have opportunities to visit museums, places of worship, theatre trips, local attractions and taking part in events with other local schools.

Children’s progress is regularly monitored and evaluated by the teachers to ensure continuity throughout the school. You will receive a mid-year verbal and end of year written report about your child’s progress and attainment. 

Parents support the curriculum in many ways. We welcome and need parental help on educational visits, in the classroom to support practical work, for group reading and to walk students to their swimming lessons. We also need parental help to ensure home learning is completed on time. Every year group undertakes a number of visits each year which will enrich the curriculum and support learning. 

We assess our curriculum using own systems which measure academic progress against learning end points. We use a mixture of formal and informal written and verbal assessments depending on the age and need of each child.