Curriculum
At Heronsgate Primary we are committed to a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum which enthuses and motivates learners, extending and enriching their knowledge and understanding of the world we live in- so they are able to make a valuable contribution as they grow.
Our curriculum framework recognises that children learn best when they are actively engaged, can make links in their learning and are given opportunities to talk about and apply their learning in different contexts. As such our curriculum, in addition to meeting all statutory requirements and challenge, is contextualised and learning is enriched through the arts and visits to places of interest.
Our ‘Heronsgate Charter for Secondary Ready’ not only outlines the high academic performance we expect our children to have achieved but an array of opportunities they will have had such as, for example, learning a musical instrument or a visit to the theatre. This we hope will give them the confidence, motivation and skills needed to flourish in secondary school and beyond.
Curriculum Report
Curriculum Map
Here is some further detail about the curriculum that is covered in each year group:
Programmes of Study
Below are links to the National Curriculum Programmes of Study, published by the Department for Education.
Please see our SEND Policy and Report for information on how our curriculum is accessible. Please contact us to find out more about the curriculum at Heronsgate Primary School.
Phonics
We use the ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds’ phonics programme, starting in Reception and continuing into Key Stage 1. Reception begin by learning the single letter sounds and then learn to blend these sounds into words (e.g. ‘h-a-t’ becomes hat). Children are then taught to segment sounds and blend them together into words in order that they can read and write efficiently. Children also learn to read and write ‘tricky’ words, which have an unusual spelling and cannot be sounded out fully. In Year 1 children learn the alternative spellings for different sounds. Phonics is taught every day, with the children learning a new sound and revising sounds already taught. Some children will receive additional phonics support if we feel that this will be of benefit.
At the end of Year 1, children are assessed through the national phonics screening check. For any children who need it, phonics sessions continue in Year 2, and beyond if necessary, until they are fluent readers. Once children can read fluently, reading then progresses from learning to read, to reading to learn.
The school uses the ‘Big Cat for Little Wandle’ decodable reading books. Children read these books with an adult in school, developing their ability to decode, read with expression and understand the book. They then take this book home to read aloud and ‘show off’ their skills to an adult. Alongside this they take home a sharing book to enjoy with an adult. We believe that children need exposure to a variety of reading material to appeal to their different interests.
At the early stages of reading development, the children initially use books without text and progress to books that are directly linked to the phonics sounds that they are learning. Children progress through the reading scheme at their own pace; they do not need to read a certain number of books in each stage before moving on to the next level. Alongside ‘decoding’ the words (using their phonics to read the words), we stress the importance of chatting and asking questions about what they are reading to ensure the children understand what they have read. We ask that parents and anyone hearing children read always talk about the book with them and complete their ‘Reading Champions’ record.
Please click here for further parent information and videos, to enable you to support your child with phonics – https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents.
Reading Champions Home/School Record
Children are encouraged to read at home as frequently as possible and parents and carers are asked to record their reading in the child’s Reading Champions Book. This really makes a huge difference to a child’s reading skills! As a school, we very much appreciate all families who support reading and hear children read at home – we know your time is precious, but it is a vital part of every child’s education. As well as hearing children read, it is important that adults chat with children about their book – the characters, what they are doing and what might happen next!
Follow the link for more information on how to support your child’s reading at home.