Curriculum maps
| We have developed and organised the curriculum at Hotwells Primary school to make learning exciting, meaningful and memorable for our learners. | Class curriculum maps
Click on the curriculum map that you would like to view.
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Our ‘lock and key’ curriculum |
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| Children’s learning in each area of the curriculum is organised into units. Each term, there is a class curriculum theme and many of the units are linked to this theme (these units are shown in blue boxes on our curriculum map). At the start of the term, the theme is introduced to the children with a ‘Key’; an event or activity that ‘opens –up’ the learning theme to inspire and engage the children. At the end of the term, the learning around that theme is brought to a conclusion with a ‘lock’; an event that celebrates children’s achievements and ‘locks –in’ the learning. The lock could be an exhibition of children’s work, a performance or a themed day. | |
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Not all units of work fit into a theme. We need to make sure that the children experience all the learning opportunities they should in accordance with the National Curriculum requirements and we want our children to experience a broad curriculum, so some units are taught as stand-alone units (these units are in un-shaded boxes on our curriculum map). |
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Sometimes, learning in some curriculum areas has been ‘blocked’. For example, design and technology may not be covered in Terms 1 and 2, but will be covered in Terms 3 and 4. Blocking the curriculum in this way can help make learning more meaningful and in-depth rather than trying to fit in a little bit of everything every term. We make sure that over the year the children experience the curriculum balance they should. |
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Using Bristol as a resource |
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| We make the most of the world around us to add to children’s learning experience. This includes using our school environment and the many wonderful places that are within walking distance of our school (such as the docks and the suspension bridge). We also look for opportunities to work with the community; including parents and volunteers. We plan these opportunities so that they are an integral part of the learning experience, not just an added extra. This means that visits and visitors have a high profile in our school and are included on our curriculum map. |  |
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Learning to Learn: ELLI |
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| We want our pupils to develop the skills they need to be successful learners both now and throughout their lives. We use ELLI: the Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory to teach children these skills. Click here to find out more about ELLI. On our curriculum map, we have identified how and when ELLI skills will be taught across the curriculum. |  |
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Every Child Matters: ECM |
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Like all schools, our curriculum is also guided by the Every Child Matters agenda. We make sure that we are delivering on the five areas of ECM in a number of ways, including cross-referencing them on our curriculum map. To find out more about ECM go to www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/about/ |
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A flexible approach |
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| We take an innovative approach to learning and are responsive to needs and opportunities that arise, so every term we will adapt and update our curriculum map. In this way we can keep learning exciting and relevant and continue in our aim of ‘learning to bring out the best in everyone’. |  |