Curriculum-Gallery (ID 1006)

• Thematic Curriculum
  Thematic Curriculum

  The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

  Other types of school like academies and private schools do not have to follow the national curriculum. Academies must teach a broad and balanced curriculum including English, maths and science. They must also teach relationships and sex education, and religious education.

  Year Group Overviews

• Curriculum Newsletters
  Curriculum Newsletters

  Find out what the children will learning each term.

  For Information on Curriculum Newsletters

• EYFS
  EYFS

  Intent

  At Raynsford Academy within the Early Years we believe that every child is a unique child who is constantly learning they can be; capable, independent, confident and self-assured. It is our mission that children flourish and develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime, when carefully supported by confident adults around them. We believe that no matter a child’s individual background, circumstance or need, all children have a right to learn and achieve.

  Children within the Early Years develop; spiritually, morally, socially and culturally and begin to understand what makes them who they are as well as recognising similarities and differences amongst themselves, others, religious beliefs and festivals within the world around them whilst being rooted with strong Christian values and beliefs.

  More information on EYFS Curriculum

• Art and Design Technology
  Art and Design Technology

  At Raynsford Academy, our Art and Design curriculum aims to inspire, engage and challenge all learners, enabling them to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to create and experiment with a range of artistic techniques. As children progress, they learn to think critically, reflect on their work, and appreciate the role of art and design in culture and creativity.

  The curriculum builds artistic proficiency, supports the development of creative ideas, promotes appreciation of significant artists and designers, strengthens evaluation and analytical skills, and encourages independence and pride through regular use of sketchbooks.

  More Information on Art and Design Technology

• Computing
  Computing

  INTENT

  We want all children to be masters of technology at Raynsford Academy. Technology is everywhere and is used all constantly. We want children to become problem solvers and critical thinkers using technology positively, safely, responsibly and respectfully.

  We learn how to code, create and debug algorithms, program, sequence, and use tools provided to research, create, save, edit and present using digital literacy. We can accurately manipulate variables and various forms of input and outputs, use a wide range of search technologies and be discerning in evaluating the reliability of digital technology. These skills allow us to engage more readily in the rapidly changing world we live in today.

  Our aim is to build confident, competent learners with the ability to use technology purposefully and respectfully to further their learning, whilst developing logical reasoning which can be applied to every-day life. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for children to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful computer scientists. We understand that having a balance enables confident, ambitious learners with a unique, creative flare.

  As a school, we identify how computing can be used cross curricular enhancing learning in all subject. We want learners to discuss and reflect on the impact computing has in their lessons and outside lessons, looking at well-being and development.

  More Information on Computing

• Geography
  Geography

  At Raynsford Church of England Academy, Geography enables children to explore and understand both the natural and human aspects of the world. Through the Developing Experts scheme, pupils learn about diverse places, people, resources and environments, gaining a strong understanding of key physical and human processes. As an investigative subject, Geography builds important concepts, knowledge and skills while nurturing curiosity and offering practical learning experiences. We aim for children to deepen their understanding of the world, recognise their place within it, and develop a lasting love of learning that builds on prior knowledge.

  More Information on Geography

• History
  History

  At Raynsford Church of England Academy, our History curriculum aims to spark children’s curiosity and foster a love of learning by encouraging them to question and understand how the world today has been shaped by past events. Through stories, vocabulary, questioning and a range of historical sources, children develop a deeper understanding of why things are the way they are and learn to make meaningful connections over time.

  From Early Years to Year Six, pupils build on prior knowledge, developing the skills to form their own ideas and construct well-reasoned arguments. Although not taught strictly chronologically, the curriculum ensures children understand the sequence of events—what came before and what followed—enabling them to develop a coherent sense of the past.

  More Information on History

• Maths
  Maths

  INTENT

  At Raynsford Church of England Academy, we believe that Mathematics is imperative to allowing us the opportunity to understand and change the world. We want all to experience the creativity, power and enjoyment of mathematics and develop a sense of curiosity about the subject with a clear understanding.

  We encourage children to foster positive can-do attitudes and promote the fact that ‘we can all do maths!’ We believe all children can achieve in mathematics and teach for secure and deep understanding of mathematical concepts through manageable steps. We use mistakes and misconceptions as an essential part of learning and provide challenge through rich and sophisticated problems.

  At Raynsford Academy most children will be taught the content from their year group only. They will spend time becoming true masters of content, applying and being creative with new knowledge in multiple ways. We aim for all pupils to:

  • Become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that they develop conceptual understanding and the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.
  • Be able to solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including in unfamiliar contexts and to model real-life scenarios
  • Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and develop and present a justification, argument or proof using mathematical language.
  • Have an appreciation of number and number operations, which enables mental calculations and written procedures to be performed efficiently, fluently, and accurately to be successful in mathematics.

  More Information on Maths

• Modern Foreign Languages
  Modern Foreign Languages

  Intent

  Across Key Stage Two at Raynsford Church of England Academy, we aim to foster a love for languages where inquisitiveness is at the heart of Modern Foreign Languages. Through the scheme, Language Angels, we deepen pupils’ understanding of language and culture of other countries they can widen their understanding of the world. Language teaching provides the building blocks to enable children to take on further languages and equip pupils with the necessary skills and knowledge to study and work in other countries. We will extend the children’s knowledge of how language works and explore the similarities and differences between the French learning and English. We will also help strengthen their sense of identity through learning about culture in other countries and comparing it with their own. Weaving through all of our Modern Foreign Languages teaching, is a commitment to enhancing and promoting our core Christian values; Forgiving, Respectful, Inclusive, Empathetic, Neighbourly and Determined.

  We will help them develop and demonstrate substantial progress in the 5 key language skills necessary for learning French

  · Speaking

  · Listening

  · Reading

  · Writing

  · Grammar

  More Information on Modern Foreign Languages

• Music
  Music

  Purpose of study

  Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. A highquality music education should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon.

  More Information on Music

• PE and Sport
  PE and Sport

  Intent

  At Raynsford Church of England Academy, we believe that Physical Education (PE), physical and school sport play a key part of school life and our children’s future health and well-being. Therefore, it is important our pupils understand the significance of leading a healthy, active life style to prepare them for secondary school and beyond.

  Our Intent at Raynsford Church of England Academy is to provide and deliver an inspirational, inclusive and balanced PE curriculum that every Pupil develops a love of physical activity. We aim to display this joy through the enhancement of existing skills, the learning of new skills and the introduction to new and exciting sports, clubs, school teams and also external clubs.

  We believe that regularly participating in physical activity and sporting activity is a pivotal element of developing and building a school in which pupils are proud of the community in which they belong. That being so, great attention is placed upon providing opportunities beyond the classroom walls. Our extra-curricular scheme consists of many exciting and diverse after school clubs and festivals as well as supporting and promoting local clubs within Mid Bedfordshire.

  It is our purpose to fully deliver and expand on the aims of the national curriculum for PE to meet the needs of our pupils at Raynsford. The aims of PE national curriculum (2023) are:

  • Develop competence to excel in a wide range of physical activities
  • Physically active for sustained periods of time
  • Partake in competitive sports and activities
  • Lead healthy, active lifestyles.

  We strongly believe this aligns with our schools vision and values and is another way in which we positively engage with our local community.

  More Information on PE and Sport

• Phonics
  Phonics

  INTENT

  We believe that all of our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in our pre-school and Reception classes and follow the Little Wandle progression which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move on through school. As a result, our children can then use approaches to decode unfamiliar words as they read. We also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics and shared reading and writing both inside and outside the classroom and across the curriculum.

  More Information on Phonics

• PSHE
  PSHE

  Intent

  At Raynsford CofE Academy, the intent of our PSHE curriculum is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all, and that will maximise the outcomes for every child. Our PSHE curriculum has been built with the aim to support the development of the ‘whole child’. PSHE is embedded in all that we do, to enable our children to become independent, responsible, healthy and confident members of society.

  At Raynsford CofE Academy, we use the PSHE/RSE Kapow scheme of work, which is split into the key themes of: Families and Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, Safety and the Changing Body, Citizenship and Economic Wellbeing. Each unit covers a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling the children to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident members of their community.

  The children are taught how to keep themselves safe, both physically and emotionally, resulting in them gaining knowledge and skills which enable them to access the wider curriculum.

  PSHE is also an important part of collective worship, where we explore values and children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural curiosity is stimulated, challenged and nurtured.

  Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is also taught as part of our PSHE curriculum and it promotes pupils’ self-esteem, emotional development and helps children to form good and healthy relationships. This begins a lifelong process of acquiring information, developing skills and forming positive beliefs and attitudes within the context of a Christian vision for the purpose of life.

  For more information on PSHE

• Reading
  Reading

  INTENT

  Reading is at the very heart of our curriculum at Raynsford. We are
  committed to fostering a love for reading and not only giving children
  opportunities to read in English and Guided Reading lessons, but in the
  wider curriculum.
  At Raynsford, we intend for children to become enthusiastic and
  motivated readers. We aim to build children’s confidence in reading
  where they will develop the skills to decode words in order to be able to
  read fluently with understanding of what they have read.
  Our commitment to reading is demonstrated through our diverse and
  ambitious whole school reading spine which ensures children will
  experience a wide variety of genres and authors throughout their time at
  Raynsford. Our consistent whole school approach starts from the
  children’s first day in Reception.
  From Year 1-6 we use class sets of texts in Guided Reading lessons as
  well as dedicated class reader time each day, promotes a love of
  literature, an enjoyment of reading for pleasure and the chance to
  broaden their understanding of the world.

  For more information on Reading

• Religious Education
  Religious Education

  INTENT

  In Raynsford Academy, RE plays an important role in expressing the Christian vision of the school. RE reflects the ethos and values that are held and promotes understanding of people of all faiths and none.

  RE has the same high status as any other subject and contributes to the overall development of our pupils from all backgrounds and traditions.

  Our aim is for all to belong to a safe and happy community which celebrates our diversity and differences. Our children will be well prepared for the next step of their journey as responsible citizens. We aspire for all to flourish.

• Science
  Science

  Intent

  At Raynsford Church of England Academy scientific enquiry is at the core of our science lessons from EYFS to Year 6. Our intention is for our children to question the way the world around them works. We strive to offer a fun, practical and motivating Science curriculum which gives the unique opportunity for children to explore, discover and investigate the world around them. We want our children to remember more, understand more and do more. At Raynsford we use Developing Experts to support our teaching of Science. Developing Experts is delivered through a sequenced curriculum designed to enable the learner to experience a coherent curriculum expressed through a logical progression. Science is taught in topic blocks with previous knowledge being built upon to ensure fluency across the whole science curriculum. We have high expectations, while making learning accessible for all. Each topic will start with a review of previous learning with children being given an opportunity to share what they already know about the current topic and revisiting content where appropriate to ensure a depth of understanding. We aim to offer positive and enriching experiences by conducting experiments, investigations, and encouraging questions to develop a natural curiosity. Children at Raynsford are encouraged to understand how Science can be used to explain what is occurring by performing tests, using equipment and making observations. Children are taught how to analyse data and encouraged to make predictions using reasoning skills to explain why. At Raynsford Church of England Academy we have links with the local community and offer school trips to further deepen the children’s understanding of Science. The pupils additionally have opportunities to be involved in Science Week and take part in STEM projects.

  More Information on Science

• Writing
  Writing

  INTENT

  At Raynsford we aim for children to leave us as confident and proficient writers who are able to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.

  We help children develop their writing skills as they progress from mark making in the EYFS, to using a range of sentence types in KS2. This is achieved by following a progressive curriculum to build upon previous teaching, with regular assessment to ensure each child’s needs are met to reach their full potential.

  Through our thematic curriculum, we make the most of cross-curricular opportunities, providing exciting writing experiences linked with other subjects that engage and enhance all pupils and allows them to make connections with their learning.

  We believe that all children should be encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their writing, in part by developing a legible, cursive, individual handwriting style by the time they move to secondary school.

  Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

  Through explicit SPaG lessons, we aim for all children to have a solid understanding of grammar. The children focus on specific grammar skills each week, which can then be transferred and applied effectively into their writing.

  In EYFS, children have opportunities to practice their spelling as they learn a new phoneme-grapheme correspondence. They do this through spelling orally using segmenting and blending skills.

  In Key Stage 1 the children are supported via the :ittle Wandle programme where they klearn 10 new spelings a week that are reflected form the sounds they have learnt, prior knowledge or spelling rules.

  In Key Stage 2 the children have dedicated weekly spelling lessons where selling rules are introduced. Children then complete tasks within the lesson, allowing them to apply newly learnt knowledge, with teachers regularly assessing the knowledge they have retained. Children then receive weekly spellings to practice.

  More Information on English