Maths
At High Meadow we see all children as mathematicians. We recognise that mathematical fluency and confidence in numeracy are regarded as preconditions of success across the National Curriculum. We understand the importanct of reasoning and problem solving as essential life skills. With this in mind we have a commitment to teaching maths through a ‘Mastery’ approach.
We begin each lesson using retreival practice to improve fleuncy, confidence and making connections. We then use an ‘Anchor Task’ where the children work to unpick the mathematical structure of a concept using concrete resources. The learning is then followed up with additional guided activities, which then leads into an independent challenge. There is also a challenge activity for those children who are ready to deepen their understanding.
We are actively involved with our local Maths Hug – Origin, we lead and attend sessions ensuring our practise is consistently up to date and based on the latest research.
Progression of Skills
English
Reading is a fundamental part of everything we do at High Meadow with the explicit and systematic teaching of phonics at its core. Children are exposed to high quality texts across the curriculum and reading skills are taught explicitly in all year groups. Writing is taught though a range of exciting stimuli which includes books, film clips, artefacts, visitors, and real life experiences. Storytelling is at the core of how we teach writing.
Progression of Skills
Phonics
Science
At High Meadow our children know and apply qualities of a good scientist especially with regards to team work and perseverance. They work scientifically through asking questions, planning investigations, recording, taking accurate measurements and drawing conclusions using appropriate scientific knowledge.
Geography
At High Meadow we use geography to inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Children will learn about the different countries of the world, know what is special about them and know how they are similar to and different from each other. Our children will recognise their impact on our local environment and identify opportunities to improve it too.
History
At High Meadow we plan for our children to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider worlds. We plan to inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. We develop their ability to think critically, ask questions, weigh evidence and develop perspective and judgement. We recognise that history helps children to understand the complexity of people’s lives too.
Religious Education (RE)
Using the Warwickshire RE agreed syllabus children are taught knowledge and understanding around a range of religious and worldwide views so that they can: describe, explain, analyse and investigate allowing them to appreciate beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity, meanings and values within and between communities.
Relationship and Sex Education (RSE)
All children at High Meadow learn about themselves as developing individuals and members of their community, building on their own experiences through our Jigsaw PSHE scheme of work. Our children have opportunities to show they can take some responsibility for themselves and their environment. They learn about their own and other people’s feelings and become aware of the views, needs and rights of others.
Protective Behaviours
At High Meadow we recognise that teaching preventative strategies is a proactive way to strengthen children’s ability to keep themselves safe and minimise risk. Protective Behaviours is a resource that follows a series of age-appropriate lessons where students discuss their right to feel safe and actions they can take to avoid possible unsafe situations.
Each year level’s learning tasks differ slightly but are based around the same two central themes;
- We have the right to feel safe at all times.
- We can talk with someone about anything no matter what it is.
No Outsiders
At High Meadow Community School, we aim to teach the children to recognise and accept difference. We have a duty to prepare them for modern life in Britain. In school and their future workplace they will be working alongside peers and colleagues of different race, religion, gender, age, disability and sexual orientation. It is paramount that future generations are able to accept differences, accept the views of others and treat each other with respect, even if they disagree. We expect the children to express their views with kindness and consideration for the feelings of others. Our key message is that we are all equal and we all belong, we are all insiders, there are no outsiders in our school. In order to promote this ethos at High Meadow, we have chosen to use a resource that embeds equality, called ‘No Outsiders.’
Black Lives Matter
There are No Outsiders at High Meadow Community School and to ensure that our children are offered a curriculum with a diverse content subject leads have mapped out where BAME history, places, people and events appear in our curriculum. This allows each and every one of our children to see themselves in our curriculum.
It is our aim that all children have regular opportunities to engage in open conversations about race, racism, and racial inequality during their time at High Meadow. In addition to this we aim to equip all children with the tools necessary to contribute successfully to a world where racism can be a thing of the past. Through our No Outsiders curriculum, children learn about tolerance, diversity, respect and prejudice. Furthermore, we directly address racism and unconscious racial bias through carefully pitched lessons designed to increase children’s awareness of their role in driving towards equality for all.
To support your conversations around race at home, A Parent’s Guide to Black Lives Matter can be found below:
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
Our MFL curriculum is designed to progressively develop children’s skills in languages, through regular taught lessons. The children learn Spanish in KS2. Children progressively acquire, use and apply a growing bank of vocabulary organised around topics. All of these approaches help to equip our children with the skills to be confident global citizens.
Music
We understand that music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Our high quality music curriculum engages and inspires children to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Our children enjoy weekly singing lessons taught by a peripatetic professional and also benefit from learning to play a musical instrument too. Our Gold Arts Mark award celebrates how the Arts are inter-woven throughout our school curriculum.
Computing
Our computing curriculum is designed to equip children with the skills and understanding to live in a technological world, this includes being able to use a variety of computer software and coding programmes. They will engage with professional led workshops where they will have hands-on experience of leading-edge technology. There is a strong emphasis on the importance of Online Safety for all year groups.
Art and Design
Every child at High Meadow will have the opportunity to develop a love of Art. They will be inspired by the work of a range of artists from different countries and different times. The children will develop their confidence and enjoy producing a range of art through access to a robust Arts curriculum and high-quality resources. They will experience real art through visits to art galleries as well as working alongside visiting artists in school. Every child will have their artwork displayed in our annual Arts Exhibition.
Design and Technology
Our Design Technology curriculum is designed to allow every child to think creatively about how to solve design problems. Children will evaluate their own work critically and make suggestions for improvements. They will be taught how to use equipment in a safe way and will learn about the relevant technological skills to build their design. To make learning relevant, children will develop lots of the DT skills through their topic learning too such as making wall hangings after visiting Tamworth Castle, in Year 2.
PE
Our PE curriculum is designed to give every child the opportunity to acquire and develop a broad range of skills to enable them to take part in a range of competitive and co-operative physical activities. It focuses on the development of agility, balance and coordination, healthy competition and cooperative learning and empowers children to say, with confidence what they are good at and what they need to do to improve. We want ALL children to lead a healthy and active lifestyle now and in the future.
