Curriculum Intent

Curriculum at Morecambe Bay

We believe that a successful school curriculum in Morecambe Bay School is one that emphasises the relevance and purpose of learning with particular reference to the context of our school. Because of this it is an ever-evolving work of art, which is responsive to and inclusive of the dynamic nature of staff, child and community interests and enthusiasms. It is even more crucial to respond to the needs of the children in the sense of curriculum, in our post COVID world. Our curriculum continues to be adapted to address the needs of the children in each Key Stage.

At Morecambe Bay Community Primary School, we design our curriculum, with the following objectives in mind:

1. Our children will be successful learners.
2. Our children will become confident and happy people.
3. Our children will become responsible citizens
4. Our children will be given the best opportunity to recover from COVID both academically and emotionally.

We believe that a successful school curriculum in Morecambe Bay School is one that emphasises the relevance and purpose of learning with particular reference to the context of our school. Because of this it is an ever-evolving work of art, which is responsive to and inclusive of the dynamic nature of staff, child and community interests and enthusiasms. It is even more crucial to respond to the needs of the children in the sense of curriculum, in our post COVID world. Our curriculum continues to be adapted to address the needs of the children in each Key Stage.

The nationally agreed requirements of national curriculum form the structure of our curriculum experience.

At Morecambe Bay Community Primary School, it is essential that we use the curriculum experience to address life’s challenges. In response to this, the following are identified as curricular priorities:

• To promote a sense of self efficacy and self esteem
• Build a rich vocabulary, maturity of language and love of reading
• Develop a sense of their place in the world and an appreciation of their world
• Find talents and enthusiasms that will enhance their sense of self
• Build positive attitudes to learning and life
• Live healthy lifestyles

Curriculum Implementation

To promote these priorities; we insist on children learning positive values, including identified British Values, but with a particular focus on five school values – Bravery, Responsibility, Respect, Happiness and Kindness. Our school year is split into six half term blocks, with cross curricular topics assigned to each. Because of our mixed age classes, a two year rolling programme of topics is maintained in each Phase.

Foundation Stage – Nursery and Reception, Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2, Lower Key Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4, Upper key Stage 2 – Years 5 and 6

Our Topic Matrices are age specific and have a clear progression and sequence in expectation across year groups, building a spiral experience of knowledge, understanding and skills across the whole school. To this end each Subject Leader has developed a Morecambe Bay Progression in Skills framework for their subject, in consultation with their colleagues across school from Early Years to Year 6.

Subject leaders oversee the development and implementation of their subject within the matrix of each Phase and Phase Leaders, assist in planning and assessment within each Phase. Subject Leaders monitor curriculum coverage alongside Phase and Senior Leaders identifying strengths and areas for development, this process is on-going and forms part of our annual school improvement cycle.

In order to create a dynamic curriculum experience that addresses challenges of social and cultural capital, we also ensure that there is a rich diet of educational visits, visitors to school and cultural experiences. This has been greatly enhanced by the addition of our Immersive technologies and multimedia opportunities, which allows teachers to create truly immersive learning experiences around each topic covered.

We have been involved in the initial stages of discussions and foundations of the Eden curriculum and are excited about our continued contribution, the further developments and the implementation as it is rolled out.

School recognises the vital role that parents play as the Primary Educators of their children. We have a very successful record of involving parents, carers and community members in school life.  

There are particular priorities necessitated by the above six identified needs that our school context creates:

• In order to promote the development of a rich vocabulary and language, alongside appropriate levels of self- confidence we offer an enhanced use of Drama and multi-media.
• Our Learning for Life (PHSE) curriculum is integral to Life skills and healthy lifestyles which are developed wherever possible in topics, by ensuring that all classes have weekly Food Tech sessions, Learning for Life lessons and Enabling Enterprise theme topics.
• To develop a sense of self-efficacy, children are encouraged to participate in local democracy projects through Pupil Parliament, School’s Council etc.
• In order to understand and appreciate the diversity of our world, whatever their travel opportunities and cultural experiences, children study ML, topics are often used to expose children to other cultures, religions and traditions.
• The importance of promoting healthy lifestyles means that teachers will often use topics as vehicles for experiencing sporting/outdoor opportunities, giving children access to a wide range of activities to broaden their appetite for sport and exercise.

All of the above are reflected in the school’s Non negotiables for teaching and learning identified within our teaching and learning policy.