The Curriculum at Townlands
Our curriculum is designed with the breadth and depth needed to develop the core life skills that children will need for the future in an ever-changing world. The curriculum at Townlands ensures that there are no barriers to every child achieving and importantly prepares children well for later life.
Our curriculum maps provide an overview of teaching for each year group, however this may be subject to change, dependent upon on the children's interests. Please click here for the curriculum maps for each year group. Please click here for the curriculum maps for Physical Education.
Please click here to see our Phonics Glossary.
To find out more about the National Curriculum for Primary Schools in England please click here.
Our curriculum maps provide an overview of teaching for each year group, however this may be subject to change, dependent upon on the children's interests. Please click here for the curriculum maps for each year group. Please click here for the curriculum maps for Physical Education.
Please click here to see our Phonics Glossary.
To find out more about the National Curriculum for Primary Schools in England please click here.
English
In our Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 Guided Reading , Phonics and Handwriting are taught discretely outside the literacy hour. Whole class big books are produced as a result of guided reading activities and are used to promote the enjoyment and skills of reading. The whole school visit the library and participate in reading challenges offered during the school holidays. Within our Literacy lessons we teach, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling either discretely or through Sentence Ladder activities. The main reading scheme in school is the Oxford Reading Tree and our phonics scheme is Letters and Sounds.
Cross curricular links are made with other subjects where possible in order to embed literacy skills.
In our Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 Guided Reading , Phonics and Handwriting are taught discretely outside the literacy hour. Whole class big books are produced as a result of guided reading activities and are used to promote the enjoyment and skills of reading. The whole school visit the library and participate in reading challenges offered during the school holidays. Within our Literacy lessons we teach, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling either discretely or through Sentence Ladder activities. The main reading scheme in school is the Oxford Reading Tree and our phonics scheme is Letters and Sounds.
Cross curricular links are made with other subjects where possible in order to embed literacy skills.
Maths
Following the National Curriculum changes in 2014 we use Focus Education materials to support planning and assessment, years 1-6.
Mental Maths is taught daily. Pre-teaching identifies gaps in learning and informs planning and the next steps for learning. Teachers take every opportunity to relate mathematical learning to real life contexts. Cross-curricular links are made wherever possible. Townlands mental and written calculation policies ensure a pathway is followed throughout the school from Foundation to year 6, ensuring challenge at every stage of development.
Following the National Curriculum changes in 2014 we use Focus Education materials to support planning and assessment, years 1-6.
Mental Maths is taught daily. Pre-teaching identifies gaps in learning and informs planning and the next steps for learning. Teachers take every opportunity to relate mathematical learning to real life contexts. Cross-curricular links are made wherever possible. Townlands mental and written calculation policies ensure a pathway is followed throughout the school from Foundation to year 6, ensuring challenge at every stage of development.
Science
The curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of the world through biology, chemistry and physics.
Religious Education is taught using the Scheme of Work recommended by the Diocese of Leicester.
The children attend Church (St. Simon & St. Jude’s) at least three times a year. Our Vicar delivers an assembly in school every Tuesday. We also have external visitors from other churches deliver services for our children. Mr Scrappy (puppet) is used to bring bible stories to life.
Computing skills are taught to enable our pupils to become digitally literate. E.Safety is timetabled at the beginning of each academic year.
PSHE is taught using the Peter Harvey R-Time materials to promote positive behaviour and good manners.
Physical Education (PE) is taught twice weekly by a specialist sports coach from Foundation to year 6, as well as offering a variety of sport after-school clubs. Teachers use the Val Sabin scheme of work for PE. Years, 1 and 3 have swimming lessons. For the second year running, Townlands have been awarded the Sainsbury's School Games Gold Sports Award.
Modern Foreign Language – French is taught by class teachers for years 3-6.
History, Geography, Design & Technology, Art and Music are taught as part of a theme, for example, The Romans – History. Maps of the Roman Empire – Geography. Design & Technology – pupils designed and made chariots. Art – researched Mosaics using ICT and then designed their own in Art. Music – Roman Entertainment.
The curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding of the world through biology, chemistry and physics.
Religious Education is taught using the Scheme of Work recommended by the Diocese of Leicester.
The children attend Church (St. Simon & St. Jude’s) at least three times a year. Our Vicar delivers an assembly in school every Tuesday. We also have external visitors from other churches deliver services for our children. Mr Scrappy (puppet) is used to bring bible stories to life.
Computing skills are taught to enable our pupils to become digitally literate. E.Safety is timetabled at the beginning of each academic year.
PSHE is taught using the Peter Harvey R-Time materials to promote positive behaviour and good manners.
Physical Education (PE) is taught twice weekly by a specialist sports coach from Foundation to year 6, as well as offering a variety of sport after-school clubs. Teachers use the Val Sabin scheme of work for PE. Years, 1 and 3 have swimming lessons. For the second year running, Townlands have been awarded the Sainsbury's School Games Gold Sports Award.
Modern Foreign Language – French is taught by class teachers for years 3-6.
History, Geography, Design & Technology, Art and Music are taught as part of a theme, for example, The Romans – History. Maps of the Roman Empire – Geography. Design & Technology – pupils designed and made chariots. Art – researched Mosaics using ICT and then designed their own in Art. Music – Roman Entertainment.
Extra-Curricular
The curriculum is enhanced through off site visits.
We have private music tuition in Guitar, Piano, Ukulele and Recorders. There are a wide variety of after school and lunchtime clubs such as:- Choir, Football, Cross Country, Games, Homework Club, Art Club, Multi Sports Club, Reading Crew, Dancing, Archery, Table Tennis, Tag Rugby etc.
We have an active School Council that regularly promote fund raising activities.
Class assemblies are generally an extension of the curriculum which Parents are invited to attend.
All year 6 pupils enjoy a residential trip to Kingswood fully paid for by a benefactor.
The curriculum is enhanced through off site visits.
We have private music tuition in Guitar, Piano, Ukulele and Recorders. There are a wide variety of after school and lunchtime clubs such as:- Choir, Football, Cross Country, Games, Homework Club, Art Club, Multi Sports Club, Reading Crew, Dancing, Archery, Table Tennis, Tag Rugby etc.
We have an active School Council that regularly promote fund raising activities.
Class assemblies are generally an extension of the curriculum which Parents are invited to attend.
All year 6 pupils enjoy a residential trip to Kingswood fully paid for by a benefactor.
Assessment
At Townlands C of E Primary Academy, staff use assessment to ensure our children are moving forward in their learning. Throughout each lesson, staff will continually assess the children’s understanding through a range of strategies including questioning to deeper the children’s understanding. This is called Formative Assessment.
We also assess at the end of a block of teaching and throughout the year. This type of assessment where pupils are given an assessment piece of work is called Summative Assessment. This is what is reported to parents at Parents Evening and in the child’s report to parents at the end of each academic year.
Summative Assessment is used to report children's attainment to the Local Governing Body, the Local Authority and Department for Education. These summative assessments also happen at the beginning of Foundation Stage (baseline assessment) at the end of year 2 and end of year 6 (SATs). These assessments are administered in a specific manner and the results analysed, these are then published and used to monitor the school’s performance.
In September 2014, the National Curriculum changed and assessment reporting changed too. Children will now be assessed against whether they are working at a Developing, Achieving, or an Exceeding level towards the end of year expectations.
In the autumn term most children will be working at a developing level as they have not yet been taught the years learning objectives. Most pupils will be either developing, developing + or developing ++ depending on how many of the end of year expectations they have achieved.
In the spring term most children will be working at developing ++ or achieving end of year expectations.
By the summer term most children should be achieving, achieving + or achieving ++ depending on how embedded their learning is against the new national curriculum end of year expectations for their year group. Some children may be working at the exceeding level which will mean their learning is embedded and they are working with a deeper understanding. Children working at exceeding ++ would be recognised as gifted and talented children.
If you require any further information, please speak to a member of staff.
At Townlands C of E Primary Academy, staff use assessment to ensure our children are moving forward in their learning. Throughout each lesson, staff will continually assess the children’s understanding through a range of strategies including questioning to deeper the children’s understanding. This is called Formative Assessment.
We also assess at the end of a block of teaching and throughout the year. This type of assessment where pupils are given an assessment piece of work is called Summative Assessment. This is what is reported to parents at Parents Evening and in the child’s report to parents at the end of each academic year.
Summative Assessment is used to report children's attainment to the Local Governing Body, the Local Authority and Department for Education. These summative assessments also happen at the beginning of Foundation Stage (baseline assessment) at the end of year 2 and end of year 6 (SATs). These assessments are administered in a specific manner and the results analysed, these are then published and used to monitor the school’s performance.
In September 2014, the National Curriculum changed and assessment reporting changed too. Children will now be assessed against whether they are working at a Developing, Achieving, or an Exceeding level towards the end of year expectations.
In the autumn term most children will be working at a developing level as they have not yet been taught the years learning objectives. Most pupils will be either developing, developing + or developing ++ depending on how many of the end of year expectations they have achieved.
In the spring term most children will be working at developing ++ or achieving end of year expectations.
By the summer term most children should be achieving, achieving + or achieving ++ depending on how embedded their learning is against the new national curriculum end of year expectations for their year group. Some children may be working at the exceeding level which will mean their learning is embedded and they are working with a deeper understanding. Children working at exceeding ++ would be recognised as gifted and talented children.
If you require any further information, please speak to a member of staff.
