Curriculum

“With the aim to develop children who will in the future become well-rounded global citizens”. Oxfam

At George White Junior School, we have ensured that our curriculum is broad, balanced and rich with opportunities both in and beyond the school walls. Everyone has the right to access the school and National Curriculum with the highest of teaching standards and expectations. We aim to make children’s learning exciting, memorable, meaningful and challenging. Our four school values alongside positive relationships and high aspirations are at the heart of what we choose to do and how we do it. We have designed our curriculum so that pupils develop their knowledge and skills in each of the National Curriculum subjects and have the opportunity to apply this learning in a range of contexts.

As a junior school, being destination ready is essential. We want every child who leaves us moving on to the right destination for them as individuals. We do this by giving every child the knowledge, skills, confidence and independence needed to flourish at high school or at a specialist provision and beyond. Because our children have learnt what they need to learn whilst they are with us, they move on feeling confident, enthusiastic and inspired to keep learning.

Our school is located in a diverse community with easy access to a wealth of stimulating and cultural learning opportunities surrounding us. We are fiercely proud of our diverse community, with many of our children and their families coming from many different parts of the world, speaking many languages. Our children deserve to feel a strong sense of connection to and pride in the culture and beliefs in their home. Our curriculum and the opportunities given reflects our diverse and vibrant community where everyone belongs, makes positive contributions, and is included.

Our teaching and learning opportunities are thoughtfully mapped to enable pupils to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills to contribute successfully in the ever-changing modern world. Pupils are immersed in meaningful learning opportunities ensuring they thrive throughout their time at school. Activities are designed to engage, motivate and inspire all pupils to reach their full potential.  We teach our pupils fundamental skills such as teamwork and resilience, whilst enabling them to complete learning of which they are truly proud. Pupils revisit, apply and deepen their learning within and across subject areas, whilst maintaining each subject as an independent discipline, with its own unique set of skills.

We recognise that our children reflect our socially diverse community and consider it crucial for them to develop a strong vocabulary that enables them to articulate their opinions, academic understanding and emotions. Key vocabulary is mapped across the curriculum; opportunities to revisit and embed learnt vocabulary are planned for.

We regard reading as an essential building block for learning across all subject areas. Taught reading skills are embedded and applied across our curriculum. Provision of resources, along with supportive teaching, immerse children in a wealth of literature. This promotes independent learning and curiosity to expand on what they learn in the classroom. Opportunities to develop speaking and listening skills are planned for across subject areas. Questioning, tasks and resources are skilfully planned to scaffold and challenge, ensuring every child, whatever their starting point, can deepen their understanding.

Alongside our curriculum, we place great importance on the wider aspects of school life that help pupils discover and develop their talents, interests, skills and ambitions. Enriching experiences through workshops, school trips (including a residential), and visitors alongside extra curricular opportunities and a wide range of clubs are integral to developing a pupils character and their personal development. We are proud to be able to also offer our children the opportunity to learn four musical instruments during their time at our school.

As a Rights Respecting school, we value our children’s rights, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This ethos is woven through our curriculum, and we seek opportunities across different subjects to explore what it means to be caring, thoughtful and respectful citizens. Our goal is that a child with George White roots, goes out into the world both with a sense of their rights and their responsibilities towards their community and the planet. We know it is important that our children understand the challenges that shape the modern world, and the power they have to make positive change, be it environmental, political or social.

By the end of KS2 children will have experienced

A range of cultures, people, places, opportunities and different viewpoints to enhance their learning.

We will do this through:

• Leadership opportunities to develop pupil character and confidence
• Opportunities to present and perform in front of an audience
• Emergency first aid training to develop vital life skills
• A visit to local landmarks- castle, market, heath, cathedral
• A visit to another place of worship
• Experiencing live music and theatre
• Meeting a range of people from different careers, cultures and faiths
• Experiencing team sports and positive competition
• A residential experience in a contrasting locality

British Values

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much”. Helen Keller

We believe that British values are fundamental to cohesion and successful participation in society and we promote these values throughout our curriculum.  

All schools are required to ensure that the curriculum actively promotes these four fundamental British values:

Respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic process.

Respect for the basis on which the law is made and applies in England.

Individual liberty, support and respect for the liberties of all within the law.

Respect for and tolerance of different cultures, faiths and other beliefs.

At George White Junior School, we aim to develop children who will in the future be well-rounded global citizens. Our curriculum has been developed to promote these key British values.