At Bellenden School the children are offered a rich and varied creative curriculum. This comprises all the learning and other experiences that we plan for our pupils. The national curriculum forms one part of the school curriculum.
Everything that happens in school reflects our school ethos and culture and hence everything that happens in school (including unstructured time such as breaks) or through school, is part of our curriculum.
We aim for our children
- To become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens.
- To develop an interrelated set of attitudes, skills and knowledge that can be drawn upon and applied for successful learning, work and living
As a school we are committed to keeping the children’s well–being at our heart, thus providing a rich creative curriculum that prepares our children to be lifelong independent learners.
Our creative curriculum includes the National Curriculum core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Religious Education and the foundation subjects of
Design Technology, Art, Geography, History, Music and Physical Education (PE).
Children are assessed regularly as to their progress in these subjects and these assessments provide accurate, accessible information about what children know, understand and are able to do.
In addition to the prescribed subjects we offer Bellenden children Personal, Social Health Education with Citizenship (PSHE C), Sex and Relationship Education, German and French. Our philosophy of preparing our children to be world citizens has led to a highlighting of global education.
Through careful planning in the long, medium and short term we make sure there is progression, appropriateness of level, breadth, balance and consistency across the new Bellenden Creative curriculum. We are committed to the idea that children learn best in a secure, caring, positive and stimulating environment. Our teachers provide well-ordered surroundings and ensure that expectations of behaviour and work are high and are clearly understood by the children. Bellenden children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning.
We believe that children learn best when they;
- Are confident about what they are doing
- Feel secure and in control
- Are in lively and interesting surroundings that reflect their learning
- Can connect a new experience to what has gone before
- Have clear purposes and real reasons for learning
- Know what is expected of them
- Have time to think and talk about their experiences
- Have access to a range of suitable resources and can use them independently
- Know that they are making progress
- Are able to work together as well as on their own
- Are given tasks that are well-matched to their needs and interests
- Make decisions about what they have to do
- Have appropriate adult supervision and instruction
- Are encouraged to ask questions of each other and the teacher
- Know what they have to do to improve
We believe that a good teacher has the following;
- A good relationship with the children
- Consistency in dealing with the children
- Good organization of children, resources and classroom to create an atmosphere conducive to learning
- Clear aims and objectives
- Various teaching styles to maintain interest
- Some flexibility in order to deal with unforeseen circumstances
- The ability to maintain order
- A sense of humour
We also believe that a good teacher;
- Values children as individuals
- Understands the purposes, scope, structure and balance of the National Curriculum
- Has secure knowledge and understanding of the content of the National Curriculum, sufficient to teach the children
- Is well prepared
- Identifies clear teaching objectives
- Has high expectations
- Gives clear written or oral instructions and ensures that they are carried out
- Sets clearly defined tasks which, whilst being challenging, are achievable
- Ensures that all children participate
- Encourages children to work both co-operatively and independently, as appropriate
- Gives good feedback and sets targets for children’ progress
- Is interesting and enthusiastic in their delivery
- Ensures that children acquire knowledge and skills and consolidates these using every opportunity to improve basic skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT
- Strives to be a reflective practitioner – evaluating own teaching critically in order to improve effectiveness
- Uses assessment to check understanding, inform future planning and check that children continue to make good progress
- Plays a full part in the life of the school, supports colleagues and feels part of the team