Intent
Our Curriculum has been designed to ensure each and every child can‘ Nurture, Flourish and Succeed..’ by offering stimulating and awe-inspiring learning experiences with our school values at its heart.
It is bespoke to the needs of the pupils at Black Torrington Primary School, not only by focussing on appropriate subject specific knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum but by developing individual and collaborative learning experiences, a positive growth mind-set, a sense of responsibility and challenges that take them beyond the classroom.
We are a small village school with a constantly evolving curriculum which responds to the needs of learners and their interests by enhancing learning experiences and raising awareness from the local area to national and global arenas. Thus, we will develop outward-looking pupils who are able to engage in learning about themselves and have an understanding of the wider world and its complex cultures.
Ultimately our curriculum has four features:
- is ambitious for all pupils;
- is carefully and coherently planned and sequenced;
- is successfully adapted, designed and developed for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities;
- is broad and balanced for all pupils.
In September 2021, in response to the Covid pandemic and identified gaps in learning, we adopted a new Base curriculum. This forms the basis for a new, mixed age class specific Dartmoor Curriculum. Our curriculum covers all aspects of the National Curriculum 2014: English, Maths, Science, Art, Computing, Design Technology, Geography, History, Languages, Music and Physical Education. In addition, we follow the Devon agreed syllabus for Religious Education 2019 and ensure progression in Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education as well as PSHE and Relationships and Sex Education.
We believe in academic achievement as a partner to developing the individual child to become future community and global citizens. The behaviour of children and adults within our school is rooted in mutual respect. We believe that children and adults should be caring and kind to one another throughout life. We discretely teach children life skills and reward positive behaviour at all times. As our children leave Black Torrington we ask them to go into their community with the same care and kindness that they have shown at school. This is to all, regardless of race, sexuality, age, ability or religion.
Children within our school are encouraged to be ambitious in their learning – to take risks, make mistakes and learn. This is evident in our daily lessons and in the wider curriculum opportunities we offer. Children will take part in an offsite trips, visits and residentials. Performing arts including drama, music and public speaking are celebrated and promoted within our school. We have close links with our community and the local church. These links provide us with opportunities to perform Harvest, Easter and Christmas plays, public music and singing performances. These experiences allow our children to build their confidence, widen their horizons, grow ambitions, and have greater aspirations for the future. During the Covid-19 pandemic our school has been a beacon of support for our communit, providing food hampers for our most vulnerable as well as regular contact to ensure no one was isolated.
We use the ‘Real PE’ scheme which enhances teachers lessons and planning for our Physical Education lessons. Children also take part in competitive sporting events run locally and within West Devon. Children will have many opportunities throughout their school career to represent the school. This includes children with SEND needs – we regularly participate in the ‘Ability games.’ We want children to leave our school with a lifelong love of sport and a healthy lifestyle for the future. We provide swimming lessons for all our children from Foundation to Year 6 to ensure all children leave us with the ability to swim. Our close links with Okehampton, Holsworthy and Tavistock Colleges means we have access to more sporting facilities such as sports halls, MUGAs and athletics tracks.
Our curriculum is ambitious for all learners, including those who are disadvantaged or with SEND. We firmly believe in inclusion for all and as part of quality first teaching, teachers adapt the delivery and scaffold the resources available for all learners. Our Multi Academy Trust links mean we can ensure children who display a talent in any area have the support they need to continue progressing and develop their skills by cross school and phase working.
We have the same expectations for all of our children regardless of race, gender, SEN or background. Some children may require a support plan to ensure they are able to access our curriculum in the same way as others whilst some may need support from Pupil Premium funding. We expect parents and carers to support their children and the school in accessing the curriculum in full.
