As all maintained schools do, we follow the National Curriculum which covers a range of subjects;

English, maths, science, computing, history, geography, design and technology, art, music, PE and PSHCE/RSE. Our taught modern foreign language is Spanish which is taught in Years 3-6. We follow the Cambridgeshire agreed syllabus for teaching religious education.

Alderman Payne Primary School - Curriculum Intent 

We passionately believe that the primary school curriculum has a broader purpose than just teaching “facts”. The aim of our curriculum is to develop skills of perseverance, resilience, and a mistake being the opportunity to learn something new. We want our children to be inquisitive and to have the skills of enquiry and critical thinking, drawing on their love of reading.

Our curriculum is used as a basis to stimulate children’s learning in a creative inclusive way. This cross curricular approach engages children and supports their understanding of what happens in the wider world. As most of our children live in small villages, we want to enhance the children's pride in their local area, but also to widen their understanding of the larger world.

We want them to share our values of respect for all groups of people as well as themselves, in order that they can become active, kind and generous citizens of the world. 

We emphasise “family” and celebrate the importance of family engagement. We recognise the positive impact that family members can have on their child’s learning.

We provide a safe caring environment for children to learn in, ensuring that all aspects (including e-safety) are addressed.

To explain our curriculum intent to the children, we have developed the FIVE FABULOUS FOUNDATIONS. These are the skills and attitudes that we want all our children to acquire over their time in school.

The Five Fabulous Foundations are;

• Reading – We want all our children to be able to read to such a level that they can easily access other subjects. This will prepare them for Secondary School and also for the world of work later on.
• Respect – We want our children to leave the school showing respect for other children, adults, the local community and the local environment as well as the wider world.
• Perseverance and Resilience. - We want our children to develop the attitude of never giving up, and that a mistake is an exciting time in their learning as they are about to learn something new.
• The Wider World – as well as having respect for and pride  for the local area, we want children to be fully aware that they are citizens of a wider world, showing respect for other cultures and attitudes, as well as having knowledge of world beyond Wisbech.
• Inquisitiveness – we want our children to know that learning does not stop when you leave school, and there is always something new to learn, for them to be able to use tools to support them (e.g. ICT) to find out more.

For more detailed information about our curriculum see below.

Curriculum intent statements for the subjects we teach

Early Years’ Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne our we create a learning environment and build relationships which support, enhance and invite a child’s curiosity, confidence and individual competency to flourish regardless of backgrounds, circumstances or needs. We work collaboratively with parents and carers to encourage independent, enthusiastic learners who strive to reach their full potential. It is our intent that children who enter our EYFS begin their lifelong learning journey by developing physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally, whilst also embedding a positive attitude to school and a love of learning.

To ensure children make progress in Alderman Payne EYFS, we take into consideration their starting points and needs as they begin their learning journey. Every child has access to a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum which prepares them for now and for the future in terms of opportunities and experiences. Following personal interests and individual needs, allows us to plan and provide opportunities throughout our EYFS curriculum to support learning, development and achieve their next steps.

Reading Curriculum Intent

We provide children with a literacy-rich environment, high quality texts and inspiring learning opportunities, which will help them to gain a life-long enjoyment of reading and books. We will teach them to read accurately, fluently and with understanding; and to apply a knowledge of structured synthetic phonics in order to decode unfamiliar words with increasing accuracy and speed. They will be able to read with expression, clarity and confidence and will have developed a good linguistic knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. We want them to read and respond to a wide range of different types of texts, develop a deeper level of emotional intelligence and empathy and to read fluently, and with confidence, in any subject in their forthcoming secondary education.

Writing Curriculum Intent

Writing is a crucial part of our curriculum at Alderman Payne. By the end of Year Six we intend that our children to have developed a love of writing and be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and creatively through the written word. We want them to be creative writers who can re-read, edit and improve their own writing. To be able to write for a range of purposes using the essential skills of grammar, punctuation and spelling confidently with a fluent, cursive handwriting style which allows their imagination to flow.

Mathematics Curriculum Intent

Mathematics is important in everyday life and, with this is mind, the purpose of Mathematics at Alderman Payne is to develop an ability to solve problems, to reason, to think logically and to work systematically and accurately. All children are challenged and encouraged to excel in Maths. New mathematical concepts are introduced using a ‘Concrete, Pictorial and Abstract’ approach; enabling all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new mathematical topics, and allows them to have clear models and images to aid their understanding. Arithmetic and basic math skills are practised daily to ensure key mathematical concepts are embedded and children can recall this information to see the links between topics in Maths.

Science Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne Primary School we believe that a high quality science education can give all children a strong understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. As one of the core subjects taught in Primary Schools, we give the teaching and learning of Science the prominence it requires. This is achieved by embedding the primary science curriculum within engaging topic based learning including specialist vocabulary for topics specifically taught and consolidated throughout the school year. Our science curriculum supports the inquisitive nature of our children, to promote respect for living and non-living things and equip pupils with the scientific knowledge required to understand the universe today and in the future. Our science curriculum builds upon these principles and aims to promote the skills required needed for scientific enquiry in order to deepen pupils scientific knowledge.

In 2023 the Primary Science Quality Mark has been awarded to Alderman Payne Primary School.  PSQM is a comprehensive evidence-based professional development programme that effectively develops science leadership, ensuring teachers have the knowledge, capability and support they need to transform science education and shape future generations.  The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire.

Computing Curriculum Intent

Technology is an integral part of everyday life. At Alderman Payne Primary we prepare our children for a future in an environment which is shaped by technology. Our main priority of computing at Alderman Payne Primary is to engage children with cross-curricular learning through interacting with a variety of technology; we see technology as enriching learning opportunities. Therefore, we endeavour to provide computing opportunities throughout each area of the curriculum. We develop confident, independent learners who are able to plan, design, create, program and evaluate information through the use of ICT. As well as the benefits of ICT, we are also aware of the risks. This is why we prepare our children to stay safe online through the use of e-safety awareness sessions and safer internet days.

Humanities Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne Primary History and Geography learning teaches children about the world in which they live and how it has changed over time. Our History and Geography Curriculum focuses on acquiring facts and knowledge as well as developing historical and geographical skills. We teach children about larger global concepts such as humankind, place, significance, processes and change.

History

History at Alderman Payne Primary helps pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world and inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. As our pupils progress they will become equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. We want pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. Our history curriculum provides identity, improves decision making and judgement, alongside developing a sense of chronology.
 

Geography

The Geography element of our school curriculum inspires pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our geography curriculum enables children to develop a sense of place, whilst exploring, investigating and understanding the artificial and natural processes that impact on our planet. We equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. We want our children to gain confidence and practical experiences of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

Art and Design Curriculum Intent

Our art and design curriculum  is designed to engage, inspire and challenge children, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to participate in, experiment with, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Children will be empowered to think both creatively and critically. They will research, investigate and evaluate a wide range of creative outcomes from the past and present to develop a rigorous understanding of the many disciplines within art, craft and design and how they shape our past and future. The children are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make a product, including the safe use of tools and equipment . Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice as they move through the school.

Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product, this is a key skill which they need throughout their life. D&T allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science and Art. Children’s interests are captured through themed learning, ensuring that links are made in a cross curricular way, giving children motivation and meaning for their learning.

RE Curriculum Intent

We are committed to our children being aware of the different beliefs and values people hold in their local environment and the wider world, in addition to a focus on the Christian faith. Our children gather information and encounter people whose cultures, beliefs and behaviours are different from them in order to develop a respectful attitude and enjoy the variety of different cultures. Children are encouraged to ask questions and work in a range of creative ways to learn new information, develop empathy, ask powerful questions and reflect on their own beliefs and values. We use the Cambridgeshire Agreed Syllabus to teach RE.
 

Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne Primary School we believe that the learning of a foreign language provides a valuable educational, social and cultural experience for our pupils. It helps them to develop communication skills, including the key skills of speaking and listening, and extends their knowledge of how language works. Learning another language gives children a new perspective on the world, encouraging them to understand their own cultures and those of others. At Alderman Payne Primary we provide learning opportunities for all children from Year Three to access the focus language taught in our school (Spanish).

Music Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne, children gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions and musical genres.  We are committed to developing a curiosity for the subject, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the validity and importance of all types of music, and an unbiased respect for the role that music may play in any person’s life.  We help children in understanding the value and importance of music in the wider community, and to ensure that they are able to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of different contexts.

PE Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne, we create a culture that inspires an active generation to enjoy PE, encourage each other and achieve. We provide a safe and supportive environment for children to flourish in a range of different physical activities which is essential in supporting their physical, emotional, spiritual, social and moral development. We encourage all children to develop their understanding of the way in which they can use their body, equipment and apparatus safely yet imaginatively to achieve their personal goals. All children have the opportunity to enjoy being physically active, maintain a healthy lifestyle and using the medium of sport, increase their self-esteem. We aspire for children to adopt a positive mind-set and believe that anything can be achieved with determination and resilience. Children are taught to observe and produce the conventions of fair play, honest competition and good sporting behaviour as individual participants, team members and spectators. Thus embedding life-long values such as co-operation, collaboration and equity of play. We provide opportunities for children to learn how to stay safe by starting swimming lessons in Reception and continuing until children have become confident in the water, knowing how to keep safe and also meet the National Curriculum requirements of swimming 25m by the end of Year 6.Our PE Curriculum, along with PSHE and science, teaches children about the importance of healthy living and learning about the need for good nutrition. At Alderman Payne we aim for children to develop the necessary knowledge and skills which will have a positive impact on their future by becoming physically active citizens to benefit their long-term health and well-being.

PSHCE Curriculum Intent

The intent of our PSHCE curriculum is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all, and that will maximise the outcomes for every child, so that they know more, remember more and understand more. PSHCE is embedded in all that we do to enable our children to become independent, responsible, healthy and confident members of society. Our PSHCE curriculum has been built with the aim to support the development of the ‘whole child’, by helping them to understand how they are developing personally and socially as well as promoting their social, mental and physical development. Children will be able to develop the ability to tackle the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.

Relationship and Sex Education Curriculum Intent

At Alderman Payne, good relationships are fundamental to our ethos and our success in being a happy, safe and caring school. Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is lifelong learning about relationships, emotions, looking after ourselves, different families, sex, sexuality and sexual health. We aim for the children in our school to acquire the appropriate knowledge, develop their skills and form positive beliefs and attitudes. RSE has a key part to play in the personal, social moral and spiritual development of young people.

Have a look at how we implement our subjects below