
Our approach to the curriculum is to provide the highest quality provision, in all subjects, to inspire all our pupils to achieve their full potential and develop into knowledgeable, compassionate and forward thinking citizens. At Clanfield Church of England Primary School we hold our pupils' holistic development in the same high regard as their academic attainment and achievements. We value the well-being and personal development of each individual pupil and member of staff, and aim to provide a curriculum in which each member of our school family can thrive. This is achieved through the provision of an ethical curriculum, which focuses on 'Big Questions' to get each pupil thinking about what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how they can make an impact and further develop themselves, others and the wider world with their new understanding. We aim to create inclusive and engaging learning environments to help us develop curious, confident learners, and within each curriculum subject, we want to provide thought provoking opportunities for all pupils so that they develop good levels of understanding within a broad curriculum. Each term's topic aims to open the children's minds to relevant and meaningful themes which build on prior learning, skills and understanding. Whilst maths, English and PE are taught as discreet subjects, our humanities, arts, and computing curriculum all link into the class topics; this supports pupils in making connections between the different subject areas they learn about.
At Clanfield we like to try to push the boundaries - our curriculum has to prepare our pupils for the future and whilst we may be a small village school, we are a forward thinking, research driven and compassionate school. We have a strong focus on community and our school values because we know that in order for children to flourish in life they need to be empathetic, respectful, resilient citizens who persevere, show kindness and love for one another and themselves. As a Values based Education School, we feel confident that our pupils will leave Year 6 with the right attitudes to face life full on.
As a school we have developed 5 strands which we embed into our curriculum through assemblies, teaching, curriculum design, dialogue, environment and extra curricular activities. Our aim is to provide opportunities for all our pupils to develop themselves in each of these strands between the time they start with us in Reception to the time the leave us in Year 6.
Ethical Citizenship
This strand helps staff and pupils concentrate themselves on being global citizens and change agents for the future. Our curriculum topics focus on issues that matter, for example, a term's topic entitles Fairy Tales vs Modern Day in Year 1 would focus on addressing gender stereotypes and historical and current attitudes, and a Year 4 topic on Planet Earth would focus on our impact as humans on our environment and what we can do to make a positive contribution to saving the planet. Our ethical curriculum supports us in celebrating and embracing different cultures, opinions and lifestyle choices, both locally and globally. We want to celebrate diversity and inclusion - not just tolerate it!
Inner Curriculum
The Inner Curriculum, a term coined by Dr Neil Hawkes, focuses on ourselves as humans and our ability to flourish through the understanding and development of key values, such as empathy, resilience and kindness. The Inner Curriculum teaches us how to be aware and in control of our internal world of thoughts, feelings, sensations and emotions, enabling us to respond appropriately to others without hurting them or damaging our own sense of self. When we create the right environment, it nourishes pupils' mental health, empowering their brains to remedy pathways that are holding them back. Through a values based curriculum, pupils will learn about themselves and others and their place in our world.
Attitudes and Skills for Life
This element of the curriculum supports pupils in having positive, can-do attitudes and skills that prepare them for life beyond primary school. Being able to prep and cook a meal, plan an event, manage a budget, develop competent ICT skills and keep themselves safe in an ever changing world are opportunities that we seek to provide in our curriculum. We also link closely with our local Adventure Plus Center to ensure there are many occasions to get in touch with nature in learn in the great outdoors in the drier months. Our own Forest School area is in development and will provide a safe space to experience risk taking and eco aweness in a natural environment.
Self - Expression
Self - expression is crucial for the development of pupils' identity and creativity. When pupils have opportunities to express themselves freely, in a supportive environment, then their confidence grows and they are able to develop interests and strengths in a range of creative disciplines. Singing, drama, public speaking, dance and movement and art and design are an integral part of curriculum. All of our pupils participate in an inclusive Nativity or Production each Autumn term and are given a chance to shine! Each week have both singing and Inspiration assemblies as a school family: research shows that singing as part of the curriculum boosts confidence, dramatically improves self - esteem and supports pupils in being calm and focused in the classrooms. We are proud to work with Standing Ovation, iRock and local musicians who support our music and singing curriculum as well as our PE curriculum with a focus on dance, gymnastics and movement. In additional we offer 1:1 weekly music tuition in guitar and piano as well as class ukulele lessons.
Positive Relationships
Forming and sustaining positive relationships with friends, peers and staff is a key component when pursuing a happy and peaceful life. We want our pupils to be be able to establish healthy, meaningful and supportive relationships with those in school and beyond. Our PSHCE, SMCS and supportive learning environment supports children in collaborating, combining skills and talents and the ability to work together successfully. We have an Anti - Bullying ambassador team who receive training through a county run scheme. The team deliver termly assemblies to the whole school to encourage supportive peer to peer relationships, help manage conflict and actively discourage bullying and unkind behaviour. We are also proud to be part of Oxfordshire's Learn Equality, Live Equal (LELE) a supportive whole school programme which aims to raise awareness and tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.