Our Curriculum
Shaping Positive Futures – Achieving Our Full Potential
Intent
At Burlington Junior School our curriculum aims and core values are carefully threaded through everything that we do. Our curriculum aims are to ensure that all our children:
- Are equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding to be confident learners.
- Are emotionally healthy, socially confident and understand how to have positive relationships with others.
- Enjoy enrichment experiences to gain knowledge and develop rich vocabulary.
- Are motivated and driven to achieve their full potential.
- Respect diversity and individuality and make a positive contribution to society.
We achieve these curriculum aims by developing the core values of resilience, respect, tolerance, calmness, kindness and responsibility.
At Burlington Junior School we deliver the content of the National Curriculum and we enhance it in order to make it even more engaging, rich, varied and meaningful for our children.
In order to ensure that children build skills, knowledge and vocabulary in a sequential and coherent way each subject is planned following a progression model. Leaders liaise closely with the Infant school to ensure that learning in KS2, across each subject is built on prior knowledge. The progression model supports all staff to plan effective learning knowing what came before and what will come next.
Teachers use the progression model for each subject to organise a long term plan for their year group curriculum. Teachers then carefully create medium term plans which provide more detail and include subject specific knowledge, skills and vocabulary and meaningful links across different curriculum areas.
Where possible subjects are taught under the umbrella of an engaging theme. Teaching also makes explicit the subject specific content to be learned in each lesson.
Implementation
Lessons across all subjects start with a review of prior learning. New learning is introduced in small chunks and modelled to children in a subject appropriate way. Children then have the opportunity to practise new learning with support. Scaffolding is then used where needed to support children to be independent. Throughout this process in all subjects, subject specific questioning is used to check for misconceptions, assess knowledge and deepen learning. Effective feedback is given to move learning forward.
It is vital for our children to have and be able to use effectively varied and rich vocabulary which will help them be successful learners and be prepared for later life. Throughout the curriculum there is a strong focus on developing and explicitly teaching vocabulary. A range of strategies are used to teach vocabulary which includes using flash cards, knowledge organsisers and quizzes. Children are also provided with numerous enrichment experiences and opportunities to enhance and broaden their background knowledge and vocabulary.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum through the core areas will be measured in the outcomes of national testing. In addition to this pupils work will demonstrate high expectations, challenge, the development of vocabulary and a clear sequence of teaching. Pupil voice will demonstrate pupils’ improved ability to use subject specific vocabulary to explain what they know and remember.
“Since implementation of Class Dojo we are much more aware of the things that happen whilst at school. Also the Dojo Points System is a great way to monitor progress.”
“My most favourite thing in Burlington Juniors is that we all help each other and that if someone is upset other people go and talk and play with them.”
“Leaders continue to develop a broad and balanced curriculum that raises pupils’ aspirations.”
“The thing I like about Burlington Junior school is that the teachers are very nice and it’s easy to make new friends.”
“This is my third child to go all the way through Burlington and I would recommend this school every time.”
“I like learning about history and the Romans and we are going on a trip to Murton Park.”
“Leaders achieve this
through daily story-time sessions and ‘reading ambassadors’ who promote reading with their peers.”
“Parents comment that their children ‘really enjoy reading for pleasure’.”
“Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour.”
“Leaders plan aspects of the science curriculum in order to promote
engineering.”
“The school has
put in place a range of strategies and interventions to support pupils with their emotional health and well-being and behaviour.”
“Leaders create a positive environment where pupils flourish.”
“Pupils speak
enthusiastically about the range of after-school activities on offer.”
“I like Burlington Junior School because we get to go on trips.”
“Leaders are keen to ‘sow the seeds of interest’ regarding careers.”
“Communication with parents has improved recently, Class Dojo is a good addition. Good to see the topics for this half-term.”
“I like doing writing and maths because in maths you get to learn different methods to answer questions and I like writing stories.”
“My kids love it at Burlington Junior School.”
“‘There is something for everyone.’ Clubs range from golfing, cheerleading, football and rugby to mindfulness, yoga and knitting.”
“Leaders provide a range of opportunities to develop pupils’ interests.”
“Leaders encourage good mental health through nurture sessions and a
‘nature’ programme.”
“Pupils are happy to
attend school. Parents say their children are ‘well cared for, feel safe and can be
themselves’.”
“Would recommend this school 100%. My child is very happy.”
“Subject leaders are invited to share curriculum plans with governors.”
“I like this school because we get to learn new things every day”
“I like learning because I think learning is fun and it allows me to push myself and learn new things every day.”
“What I like about Burlington Junior School is learning because if you listen carefully you will get smart and you will have a good education and you will get a good job.”
“Pupils take home books that match their phonics ability. This helps them to become confident and fluent readers.”
“Staff, including those at the early stages of their careers, say they feel supported to fulfil their roles.”
“The best thing about Burlington Junior School is the lessons are fun and interesting and we always learn something new.”
“Leaders develop pupils’ experiences beyond the community, including
annual visits to London.”
“Behaviour and attendance continue to improve throughout school.”
“My daughter is very happy at school and is doing well. I am pleased with her progress.”
“Daily phonics lessons and extra support in the afternoon take place for pupils who are at the early stages of reading.”
“My child has settled really well here, she feels happy and her hard work is recognised. Very pleased.”
“My child has settled well into Year 3. She enjoys Maths especially.”
“Both children have attended this school. Both have enjoyed it and have reached their potential.”
“Leaders are passionate about ensuring that all pupils receive the education they deserve.”
“Burlington Junior School is a wonderful school with great staff. They have helped me to become really independent whilst supporting me. I am really happy at this school.”
“Good transition from Year 4- 5. My child is in a smaller class, well supported in English and Maths. Nurtured and settled.”
“All 3 of my children are very happy at this school”.
“Leaders strive to develop a curriculum that engages and inspires pupils.”
“My child loves this school.”
“In English and mathematics, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), remember what they have learned over time.”
“Furthermore, leaders invite pupils to attend afterschool sessions to help them catch up quickly.”
“In school I like the writing because you get to write about your favourite things. I love all the language you can use.”
