Our Curriculum

At Salford Priors C of E Academy, we aim to give every child access to a broad and balanced curriculum, with a holistic approach, that teaches a wide range of subjects, promotes a broad range of knowledge and skills and allows each child to discover and pursue their own particular interests and passions. Our curriculum includes a range of learning experiences which encourage the all-round development of each of our pupils. Our teaching and learning take into account the personal, spiritual, social, physical, creative and intellectual development of each individual.

Our curriculum is designed with knowledge at its heart to ensure that children develop a strong vocabulary base, and an extensive understanding of key concepts and the world as global citizens. The curriculum promotes long-term learning, and we believe that progress means knowing more and remembering more. As pupils learn the content of the curriculum, they are making progress. We take a mastery approach to all subjects, underpinned by Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction.

Our curriculum promotes tolerance of and respect for people of all faiths, cultures and lifestyles and we follow the Warwickshire Agreed Syllabus for R.E. as well as 'Understanding Christianity'. We actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect.

We have developed a long-term curriculum for EYFS that suits this stage and age of a child's education.  The curricula for each of the following phases: KS1, Lower KS2 and Upper KS2, are based on 2-year rolling programmes that:

• Follow the National Curriculum, set ambitious learning objectives, with high expectations for all children and encourage clear, logical thinking to enable pupils to make informed, sensible choices, for problem solving and reasoning;
• Respond to pupils' diverse learning needs through both scaffolding, to ensure all can access new learning, and challenges, to create depth for those who grasp new concepts rapidly;
• Develop initiative and the ability to learn independently by providing children with a variety of opportunities and experiences related to analysing, discovery, investigation and communication.

Teaching during the morning sessions focuses on reading, writing and mathematics. All other subjects are taught as discrete subjects in the afternoons, to ensure that children have a good understanding of each discipline. Children are taught in mixed ability classes with class teachers using a variety of organisational strategies to meet the needs of individuals as described above. We enhance our delivery through a range of exciting opportunities, including subject themed days, educational visits, and visiting speakers, artists and authors.

If you would like to find out more information on the National Curriculum, please click on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum

We make good use of the different environments around our school to make learning exciting and stimulating. Our pupils’ experiences are also enhanced by the educational visits that take place throughout the year and all children's participation in Forest School.

How parents and carers can support at home

Pupils receive homework, encouraging a good dialogue between home and school, whilst equipping children with skills to consolidate and extend their learning outside the classroom. 

Across the school, we foster a love of reading, and our pupils are encouraged to read a range of books from an early age. We actively encourage all parents and carers to read with their children at least three times a week, for around 15 minutes each time. Reading books are sent home daily. Spellings and basic number facts are expected to be practised at home. New words to learn for spelling tests in school are sent home weekly. Children may also be asked to complete maths problems, or to conduct research into a topic being covered in class.