Curriculum

Great Torrington Bluecoat C of E Primary School is a Voluntary Controlled Church of England School which believes that “at the heart of the educational process lies the child” (Plowden).

At Great Torrington Bluecoat C of E Primary School we aim to provide a rich, vibrant curriculum which inspires all our pupils and maximises attainment. Our school ethos is centred around the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ and the philosophy that “at the heart of the education process lies the child”. Our provision is child centred, creative and innovative, fostering curiosity and a love of learning. As a school we look to the future and aim to prepare our children to be resilient, reflective learners able to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. We strive to create future leaders and global citizens who are equipped with a broad knowledge base, critical and creative thinking skills, respect for others, self-belief, empathy and integrity.

 

In order to achieve this we have created a dynamic and innovative, globally thematic curriculum which meets our statutory obligations and engages and excites our learners.  Our curriculum has been designed to effectively fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum, providing secure understanding of core knowledge and skills, whilst stimulating interest in the world in which we live and promoting an aptitude and enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Our curriculum builds on the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is centred around three key drivers:

 

Teaching and Learning Policy

The curriculum drivers are areas that all stakeholders involved with the school value; they give focus to learning opportunities and are embedded throughout teaching and learning, developing the child as a whole. Our whole school, overarching themes, maximise opportunities for depth of learning. Each unit of work is built around a ‘Big Idea’ which is created to enthuse the children and provide a meaningful context for their learning. There will also be a linked ‘Memorable Experience’ which will provide ‘hands on’ experience and an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the theme.  As pupils progress along their learning journey they will focus on key texts which will help to fully immerse them in their learning.  We encourage parental participation and integrate publication and celebration of learning into our topic outcomes.

 

We feel passionately that it is important for our children to grow up knowing about the world in which they live, developing an understanding of their responsibilities as global citizens, a genuine appreciation of diversity and an opportunity to connect creatively with others. Therefore each year group also has a global partner country which they will learn about in depth and a partner school which they will communicate with. Our curriculum provides us with the opportunities through each theme to examine a range of global issues relevant to their lives in the real world.

 

Our approach to the curriculum is closely linked to our teaching and learning pedagogy. We place emphasis on the voice of the child and the contributions of the community in which our children live; thus promoting the  development of a spiritually, vibrant learning community, to which all members contribute, within which all feel appreciated and valued, and through which all are empowered to excel.

Curriculum Teams

Curriculum Statement (April 2021)

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths,
Forest School,  PE & Sports

The STEM Team is linked with our 'Enterprise, Sustainability & the Real World' key curriculum driver. STEM subjects at Bluecoat C of E Primary aim to provide first hand opportunities for pupils to engage directly with scientific processes and concepts.  Wherever possible, they are linked to or taught through the year group topic. 

Through investigation and problem solving, we aim to encourage the development of curiosity and confidence and to support the development of scientific thinking and understanding. Links are made with the real world to see science in action.

Creative Arts

English (Poetry, Creative Writing), Drama, Visual Arts, Music, PE (Dance/Gymnastics) 

The Creative Arts Team is linked with our 'Creativity & Innovation' key curriculum driver. At Bluecoat C of E Primary School we believe in providing an environment and ethos that not only encourages creativity, but is in its very nature, creative.  

We want to give children the opportunities and life-long desire to express themselves in a variety of creative ways. We strive to develop the skills to not fit into a box that someone else creates, but to think outside the box making our own creative world.  

Creativity in music, art, dance, drama and creative writing are not the only ways to be creative.  At Bluecoat the children themselves have decided that we should also include cooking, writing, thinking, speaking and ICT in ‘the arts’ as they are creative mediums.   Bluecoat children are creative thinkers, designers, makers and performers.

Humanities & Languages

English (inc. Phonics/SPAG), Religion & World Views, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography & History

The Humanities & Languages Team is linked with our 'Being Part of a Global Community' key curriculum driver. Through their study of the Humanities, our pupils develop an in depth body of knowledge and related skills to help them make sense of the complex world we live in. They explore issues affecting the lives of people in the past, present and future, across a range of cultures. As active learners working within an enquiry led approach, they develop questioning, investigative and critical thinking skills, with emphasis placed on first-hand experiences and fieldwork. Tolerance and a recognition of different viewpoints are embraced within the context of reflection on our values and responsibilities as unique individuals, as members of different social groups and as human beings. 

For further information regarding our curriculum, please contact our Chapter Leads at admin@bluecoat-learn.org who will be happy to discuss it further.