Curriculum video

"Leaders have implemented a curriculum where children learn knowledge in a sequenced way. This helps children to access further knowledge." Ofsted, 2023

Curriculum INTENT

Linked to our values, we want all our children to feel successful in an environment where they are respected, nurtured and encouraged to seek opportunities and demonstrate their excellence in whatever form this takes.

Curriculum drivers

Our curriculum drivers underpin the aims of our curriculum:

Whole School Curriculum

At Coombe Road Primary School we have developed the curriculum to cover the range of skills and knowledge contained within the National Curriculum. Parents looking at our subject webs will see at which points in the school their children will be meeting the skills, knowledge and experiences.

A parent and carer guide to the National Curriculum can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. This document highlights the major focus for each year group.

Throughout our curriculum, we aim to enhance the spiritual, moral, cultural and social development of our children through discrete teaching, embedding it in other subject areas and through discussions and assemblies.

We want our children:

• to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, to inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values;
• to have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them;
• to use imagination and creativity in their learning;
• to be willing to reflect on their experiences;
• to have the ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding in their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• to understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions;
• to show interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues, and to be able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues;
• use a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds;
• to show willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively;
• to show acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs;
• to develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain;
• to show understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others;
• to show understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain;
• to have knowledge of Britain's democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain;
• to show willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities; and
• to show interest in exploring, improving understanding of, and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity.

For reading and phonics click here.

For subject policies click here.

For our curriculum video click here.

Pedagogy

You can find our teaching and learning policy below:

ART & DESIGN

At Coombe Road we encourage our pupils to ‘make their mark’; through skills based teaching, nurturing and encouraging the development of individual styles and by widening their experience of art in the local community and wider world.

We engage, inspire and challenge our pupils with a curriculum that is built into topic based learning.  Whilst also teaching skills to experiment, invent and create, we encourage pupils to critically evaluate, analyse and form their own opinions of art.  

In KS1, pupils develop art & design skills and through KS2 they improve and master these skills.

At both key stages our pupils learn about artists, architects and designers throughout history.  They are studied as a source of inspiration and their techniques replicated. We also look at how art contributes to our social and emotional development.

Our curriculum is further enhanced through art days, pupil exhibitions and projects in the local community.

Ms K Folley,  Art & Design Lead

COMPUTING  

At Coombe Road, we provide children with a wide range of computing experiences, including learning how to code, which will support them in becoming confident digital practitioners with the ability to be resilient, reason logically and work collaboratively to problem solve.

We have built on existing Early Years practice to develop a range of code experiences right through KS2. These include programming languages like Scratch and HTML which allow children to design and create games or control robots and equipment; and build websites, respectively.

We believe it is of utmost importance to teach pupils to be responsible for their own safety when using the Internet and other technologies. With this in mind, we include an e-safety module in every year group.

We are continually looking at how to develop our current technologies at Coombe Road in order to prepare our children for the world of technology that awaits them.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Design and Technology is an exciting, practical and deeply creative subject.  Children are taught to design solutions to real problems and use cross-curricular subject knowledge such as mathematics, science and computing.  Children are taught to plan, design and make a range of objects throughout their school career.  These include a Victorian mobile pier, a pop-up box and an ancient Egyptian shaduf.  Through engaging with design and technology, children develop a deep understanding of design in society, appropriate material use and are taught to take risks and innovate.

Ms K Folley,  Art & Design Lead

FRENCH

French is taught to children from year 3 to year 6 by class teachers. It is taught through song, games, stories and role-play, making the learning as fun and interactive as possible in order to engage and motivate all learners.

The children learn useful words and phrases, often linked to their foundation subject lessons to provide context for their language learning. They also learn to describe themselves and their families, and conversational language.

GEOGRAPHY

At Coombe Road we strive to provide our children with high-quality geography education that will inspire them and encourage a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people.

Through geographical enquiry, the children learn about both human and physical features that make up their local area and surrounding settings. Our broad curriculum enables children to have the opportunity to explore different cultures, environments, people and landscapes whilst reflecting on diversity.  

We are constantly working to raise children’s awareness of their roles and responsibilities in relation to their environment through School Council, assemblies, world awareness days and through links with our PSHE curriculum. In doing this we make cross-curricular links to support a creative and practical learning experience.

Miss T Fay, Geography Lead

HISTORY

History is taught within our creative and exciting subject webs allowing for a deeper understanding and for cross curricular links to be made. Children enjoy the stimulating and engaging lessons which are enriched by visits, visitors and historical artefacts. Children are then able to develop their historical thinking skills through critical and reflective investigation.

Mrs T Tribe, History Lead

MUSIC

At Coombe Road music is about participating in a creative, fun and inclusive curriculum. Children are encouraged and motivated to participate, and discover and develop a wide range of musical techniques.

To enhance the musical experience, visiting musicians such as 'Create Music', offer the children a chance to experience and play a wide range of instruments - and through the Brighton and Hove Music Service, we are consulting parents on teaching a range of lessons, including violin and guitar.

Our teachers use the Kapow Primary Music Scheme. It is first and foremost to help children feel that they are musical and to develop a life-long love of music. We focus on developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that children need to become confident performers, composers, and listeners. Our curriculum introduces children to music from all around the world and across generations, teaching children to respect and appreciate the music of all traditions and communities.

The National Curriculum mapping document shows which of our units cover each of the National Curriculum attainment targets as well as each of these strands within it.

The progression of skills document shows the skills that are taught within each year group and how these skills develop year on year to ensure attainment targets are securely met by the end of each key stage.

Our music development plans can be found below:

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH & ECONOMIC EDUCATION (pshe) & RELATIONSHIPS & SEX EDUCATION (rse)

Through our PSHE curriculum we aim to enable pupils to develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves safe, mentally & physically healthy and prepared for life as happy and responsible global citizens.

Our curriculum is built on the guidance from Brighton & Hove Agreed Syllabus, using the Jigsaw Scheme of Work. The curriculum but is adapted so we can respond to and meet the needs of our pupils. We aim to nurture the emotional health of our pupils whilst also involving children in school citizenship.

Circle Time and 'reflection' is integral to our curriculum. This is a whole school approach where we aim to improve social skills, foster positive relationships, encourage positive behaviour and develop a caring and respectful school environment. 

Our overview can be found here.

Mrs A Williams, PSHE/SMSC/RSE Lead

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Please click here to see more information in our dedicated PE and sports page.

Mr R Milsted & Mr P O'Connor,  Sports Leads

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

At Coombe Road we use a comprehensive scheme of work, Discovery RE, which links with the Brighton and Hove agreed syllabus. This gives our children opportunities to:

• develop their knowledge and understanding of the nature of religious beliefs and practices and the importance of these in the lives of believers
• explore those aspects of human experiences which give rise to spiritual awareness and fundamental issues about beliefs and values.

RE is always taught in the context of our school values and valuing, respecting and celebrating all faith groups.

Mr P O'Connor, RE Lead

Guide for parents

A guide for parents and carers can be found below: