Curriculum

What does your child learn at school each day? Find information about our curriculum subjects here.

Curriculum

At Ongar Primary School we have a broad and balanced curriculum enriched with enterprise opportunities and real life learning. Every topic studied has a fiction text linked to it in order to inspire and engage the children by bringing the topic to life.

The current National Curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by  primary schools. It prescribes what subjects are taught in school and the standards children should reach at the end of each Key Stage. The National Curriculum provides guidance of core knowledge around which teachers can develop lessons full of challenge, inspiration and real life learning to promote independent, respectful, high achievers. It reflects the school’s ethos and informs all aspects of school practice, from planning, to teaching strategies, assessment and differentiation.

All objectives covered in our school curriculum come from the national curriculum which can be accessed from the link below.

If you would like any further information regarding the curriculum, please contact the school office in the first instance.

All that we do in our Early Years setting promotes learning based on the children’s’ interests and nurtures a positive attitude to learning, confidence, independence and both academic and emotional development.

Key Stage 1 & 2 Curriculum

Our learning in key stages 1 and 2 

Our English Curriculum

Reading 

Reading is a vital skill that will support children's learning across the whole curriculum.  At Ongar Primary we aim for our children to read with enjoyment, fluency and understanding.

Reading is taught throughout the school both as part of our English lessons and as an integral part of the school day.  There are many varied opportunities to read and be read to.  Children will have the opportunity to

• experience a wide range of good quality texts (both fiction and non-fiction.)
• respond to, discuss and evaluate texts.
• participate in shared and individual reading.
• develop a love and enjoyment of reading.

Children also have access to immersive reading corners as a quiet, comfortable place where they can enjoy a book.

Pupils will bring home books each day and pupils have access to Bug Club books online. We encourage parents to set aside some time to share these with their child. We aim to encourage an enjoyment of reading and sharing of books to develop positive attitudes towards reading. For early readers, we predominantly use Project X and Bug Club reading schemes. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to support their child as he/she develops reading skills. This is an important partnership between school and home where we can work together for the benefit of the child.

Phonics

Phonics teaches children the sound that each letter or letter combinations make.  It is one of the basic skills needed to learn to read and write.  We use Pearson's Bug Club Phonics program to develop children's phonics and word recognition.  Reading books are carefully matched to children's growing knowledge and skills until phonics are mastered and fluency is achieved.

Writing

We provide lots of opportunities for children to write for a range of purposes and audiences. We model writing genres and teach grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary to help our children become confident and creative writers. We also teach handwriting as part of our English curriculum.

We follow the White Rose Maths scheme which develops both fluency and mastery of mathematical skills.  We provide a range of practical experiences that support our children's understanding of mathematical ideas.  Children are encouraged to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways; oral, written and pictorial.

The Wider Curriculum

Our provision is carefully planned and sequenced. It is adapted to meet the needs of all learners through an integrated curriculum. We aim to deliver  national curriculum objectives through creative and engaging teaching with links to real life learning.

We aim to foster an interest in, and an understanding of, the past and to help children develop knowledge and understanding of the similarities and differences between their own local environment and other areas. Through this we hope to develop knowledge and understanding of the children’s own country and culture and that of the wider world

Through the arts, pupils will experience a variety of materials including paints, dyes, fabrics, inks and clay. They will be encouraged to observe closely and to apply their understanding of colour, pattern, shape, purpose and audience. They will also be encouraged to use their own creativity and to study the work of other artists and architects.

Pupils are encouraged to sing and to enjoy listening to a wide variety of music. Singing, rhythm, pitch and percussion work form an important part of the musical life of the school. Pupils are able to join in with ‘performances’ and experience the enjoyment and responsibility of belonging in a production. Pupils are given the opportunity to listen to a wide range of music from a variety cultures

Pupils are given a broad range of opportunities to participate in challenging PE activities and sporting events.  All pupils have the opportunity to work with external sports coaches to develop their skills, fitness, stamina and coordination. 

Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education provides our children with the knowledge, skills and understanding to be confident, respectful and responsible citizens.  They will build an awareness of positive relationships and interactions. Our curriculum will help equip our children with the tools to develop their mental well-being; recognising different feelings and self regulation strategies.  Children will celebrate  their uniqueness.