Curriculum Intent
Pinner Wood Curriculum- INTENT
‘Learning as we Grow, Growing as we Learn.’
At Pinner Wood we believe that a child’s primary education is key to setting the foundations for lifelong learning, so it is vital that we get it right for all of our pupils. We want to deliver a high quality broad and balanced curriculum for all children.
We want children to have success in all traditional subjects whilst developing essential, transferable life skills in order to prepare them for later schooling and adulthood in a fast-paced and constantly evolving world. Life skills include: critical thinking, team work and communication, building self-esteem and independence and developing leadership skills. We believe that all learning must be purposeful, positive and meaningful, so that children will feel engaged and motivated when accessing and succeeding in a broad and balanced curriculum.
Our philosophy ensures we provide an all-round education. The ‘heads, hearts and hands’ model supports our way of learning. We want to inspire children’s minds, hearts and hands.
The Head
is about rich knowledge. It is about academic skills. Gaining and learning new knowledge and being able to apply it to the world around us. It is about using the knowledge to apply it to big ideas and concepts.
The Heart
is about wellbeing and growth. It is about developing character. It is helping every child to have the skills and ability to live a healthy, safe and fulfilling life.
The Hand
is about creativity and problem solving. It is using the knowledge learnt and applying it to real situations and projects.
Head
Rich Knowledge
At Pinner Wood we invest a great deal of time and resources into an academic education. This includes ensuring children are proficient in Maths and English. We believe children need skills in these core subjects to fully access the wider curriculum areas. Wherever relevant, we make links between Maths and English and other curriculum areas. As a school, we model and instil a passion for reading for all of our learners. Our morning lessons focus on English and Maths and these are taught through a range of methods. We explicitly teach children how to listen and talk through oracy. We have partnered with Voice 21 to ensure oracy sits at the heart of our curriculum. Children engage in purposeful discussion about their learning in order to develop their higher order vocabulary and become articulate communicators. Academic success is important and we want all of our pupils to achieve well and make excellent progress during their time at Pinner Wood. We know our learners well and take time to plan what their next steps will be so that they can succeed. We involve children in decisions about their learning to encourage independence and engagement in all subject disciplines. At a lesson level, children are guided towards the level of challenge they feel they can access.
Heart
Wellbeing (growth, esteem and enrichment opportunities)
At Pinner Wood we believe that we have a duty to help pupils develop their characters. This includes confidence, independence and organisational skills as we prepare them to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. Our vision is to prepare our children to be responsible and morally aware global citizens who are able to succeed and build a fulfilling life for themselves and their families. Our PSHE curriculum underpins everything we do at Pinner Wood. Pupils are encouraged and trusted to take responsibility for their actions and behave well. We support children to develop emotional literacy. We foster a strong sense of belonging. Our code of behaviour which is called the ‘Pinner Wood Way’ is based around the Pinner Wood Values, which encourages and teaches pupils to be good Pinner Wood citizens. These life lessons permeate everything that we do. PSHE lessons are explicitly taught each week.
Hands
Creativity (problem solving and applying knowledge)
We cover all subjects as outlined in the National Curriculum document. In ever subject rich knowledge is taught and remembered. This knowledge is built upon and applied to creative and problem solving activities. Each half term, a new topic is introduced with a ‘Stunning Start’ to hook learners’ interest. This is underpinned by a ‘Key Question’ which is revisited as the topic evolves, further encouraging pupils to become inquisitive learners. Each topic ends with a ‘Showcase’ which brings together the knowledge and skills covered. These purposeful project pieces are designed to cover a range of disciplines over the school year and are always presented as a ‘Shared Outcome’ to an authentic audience. We block topics and subjects so that learners can engage deeply in the learning content. We have heavily invested in technology to enable children to develop IT skills. The use of ipads and a digital learning platform ensures that children leave Pinner Wood It competent, able to complete learning online and share between home and school. This way of learning allows our students to develop their own curiosity, self-confidence, resourcefulness and creativity, as well as develop skills that prepare them for a world outside of school.
Enrichment Opportunities
Throughout the school year, pupils are also offered many experiences both on and off school site which enhance their ‘Cultural Capital’. These experiences range from inviting subject experts in to present to children, to travelling into London to access museums, concerts and art exhibitions.
Extra-curricular opportunities across all subjects are actively encouraged at Pinner Wood. We run our own shows and competitions in school as well as joining Borough and London-wide events. Peripatetic music lessons are offered to children. Year 4 and Year 6 access swimming lessons. There are many opportunities to take part in extra-curricular clubs or activities which are run by both school staff and outside agencies. Our onsite forest school ensures that children can access and enjoy learning outdoors.
