Curriculum Intent

At Belmont, we offer a rich and vibrant curriculum which is ambitious for all learners. Our curriculum encompasses not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum but goes beyond the experiences of the classroom to ensure that our children are exposed to rich and varied opportunities that we can provide.

We are proud of the inclusive nature of our school. All children are given opportunities that are appropriate and tailored to meet their individual learning needs. Supported by a culture of equality and aspiration, we aim to remove disadvantage so that every child believes in themselves and can thrive. We aim for every child in our school to achieve their full academic potential whilst developing a life-long love of learning. Our curriculum is enriched to make learning fun and relevant to create happy, inquisitive and independent children.

Through the curriculum children develop an understanding of themselves as citizens and are empowered to make valuable contributions locally and further afield. We aim to help our children understand their position within the community and understand their shared responsibilities as global citizens. We aim for the children at Belmont to be happy and healthy and with support, flourish in a safe environment which promotes a healthy mind and body.

Implementation

Belmont’s curriculum is designed around a series of subject specific learning journeys that ensure complete coverage of the National Curriculum.

The aim of the National Curriculum in England is to:

• provide pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge that they need to be educated citizens. It introduces pupils to the best that has been thought and said; and helps engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.
• provide an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote the development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum.

At Belmont, we teach the full spectrum of National Curriculum subjects. In addition to this we provide Religious Education in line with the locally agreed syllabus, SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development) and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education).

In the Foundation Stage, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which covers the following areas of learning:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Key Stages 1 and 2 follow the National Curriculum which covers:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Computing
• Design and Technology
• History
• Geography
• Art
• Music
• Physical Education including swimming
• Modern foreign languages.

Subjects are taught separately, organised by year group on a yearly cycle. Each subject is taught in a block of learning which we call a ‘learning journey’.  Each learning journey at Belmont is designed, organised and planned so that the golden threads and vocabulary are built upon year on year to extend learning and deepen knowledge.  Every learning journey culminates in a high-quality outcome that encompasses all the pupil’s newly acquired knowledge and skills.

Knowledge Organisers give pupils the essential ‘content’ or core knowledge that they need in advance of each topic they study. Knowledge Organisers also give parents access to that knowledge in a clear format which means that they can be significant partners in their child’s learning. Retrieval practice is a large part of our curriculum because research shows that regularly revisiting prior learning helps to transfer knowledge into the long-term memory.

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum and we make it our top priority for children to develop a love for books from the start. Early Reading skills are established through the Read Write Inc. phonics programme to ensure that children have a strong foundation to become fluent readers. We use Accelerated Reader (AR) in Years 2 to 6 to help teachers monitor children’s independent reading practise and to encourage a life-long love of books.

Throughout lessons and daily school life we endeavour to develop the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We are keen that our pupils recognise how Belmont’s Pocket Principles reflect the wider values of the nation.

Our curriculum is driven by three golden threads that provide a structure for learning and help to develop understanding by offering opportunities to link ideas and put knowledge into context. The golden threads are ideas and concepts that are interchangeable between different subject areas, that have a real world meaning and help children make sense of the world around them. These threads can be revisited within and across year groups so that children can build upon their existing knowledge.

Our Golden Threads

• Community and Responsibility

In this thread we develop children’s understanding of the importance of working collaboratively and helping others. We investigate the difference between personal and public responsibility. We learn about the different types of community; for example: social community – the community of Team Belmont; local community – being part of the local area and Grantham; national community – being a citizen of the United Kingdom, with similar rules and values and the global community – being a citizen of the world.

• Diversity and Equality

In this thread we aim to educate our children to help them see inclusivity as an integral part of school life. We learn about protected characteristics through weekly assemblies focused on current news stories. We learn about discrimination in history and the incredible figures who have changed the world for the better. We are working towards the Unicef Rights Respecting School Award and have a team of Equality Ambassadors who help to ensure we are an inclusive school. Children learn about prejudice and bullying, democracy and justice through PSHE lessons, reinforced by our biennial trip to the Houses of Parliament. We ensure that all our children have access to after school sports clubs and invite children who don’t experience sport outside of school to represent the school in a range of sports from boccia to new-age kurling.

• Ambition and Aspiration

In this thread we aim to give children as many opportunities as possible to be a leader within school. Mini police, Pupil Parliament, Sports Ambassadors, Equality Ambassadors, Playground Leaders, e-Safety Ambassadors are all chances for children to enhance their skills in decision-making, critical thinking, motivating and presenting to others. We have a range of inspiring visitors to school with different specialities to help children understand the many different career paths available to them. Children also learn about enterprise through the Make £5 Grow scheme and termly enterprise projects to make products to sell to the local community.

Impact

Pupils leave Belmont Community Primary School with a secure understanding of the academic content; with the understanding of how to be socially, morally, spiritually and culturally responsible and aware; how to make positive contributions to the local community and how to endeavour to be the best that they can be. We aim for all of our children to leave Belmont Primary as considerate, skilful, ambitious citizens with a thirst for life and everything it has to offer.

Inclusion
At Belmont School, we are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for all pupils including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).  We offer an inclusive curriculum that is differentiated for those with SEND to ensure the best possible progress for all of our pupils whatever their needs or abilities. We are committed to ensuring our curriculum complies with the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. 

For more information about SEND (including our Accessibility Plan) and the Belmont School Equality Objectives, please click on the page links below:     

To find out more about what is taught at Belmont School, please click on the page links above. If you would like any further information, please contact the school office.   

Curriculum Responsibilities

SENCo: Mrs A McCormack

English Leader: Mrs K Litten

Maths Leader: Mrs E Blackburn

Science Leader: Mrs D Pallier