Our Curriculum

New Curriculum 2015-16

There is a new National Curriculum that we, as every school in the country are introducing. The main aim of the new curriculum is to raise standards.

The new curriculum is intended to be more challenging, focusing on essential core subject knowledge and skills.

The new National Curriculum is only a small part of a school’s overall curriculum. At Holly Park we have been moving towards this new curriculum over the last couple of years. Schools are not expected to have the new curriculum fully embedded until 2017 but at Holly Park our teachers have already been using the new curriculum.

All of the teachers have been looking the objectives and topics to be taught in their year group and deciding how to group them together to make coherent learning projects across the year.

We also Promote British Values at Holly Park

Please click on the link below to see the Holly Park Curriculum Map for the academic year 2015-16.

HPS Whole School Curriculum Map 2015-16

Here are the Learning Schedules for 2015-16 for each year group. This covers in outline all topics each year group will cover.

Early Years Foundation Stage

At Holly Park we have outstanding provision in the Early Years and Foundation stage. Our Nursery and Reception classes are bright and lively environments where children make excellent progress in their learning through a balance of self initiated play and adult led activities. Children have free-flow access to both indoor and outdoor provision.

The KS1 and 2 Curriculum

In Years 1 and 2 we continue the implementation of an ‘integrated day’, which aids transition from the Early Years and feeds into the cross curricular approach we take when implementing the National Curriculum.

At Holly Park we are constantly developing our provision to meet the needs of our pupils. Children here experience a fun and innovative curriculum where areas of learning are taught via different ‘topics’. Teachers creatively link subjects together to build exciting units of work and plan activities to challenge and motivate their pupils.

A full broad and balanced curriculum is on offer here, with music being a particular strength of the school. We ensure that statutory curriculum requirements are adhered to, but each teacher has the freedom to take their own approach as to how best to deliver their lessons, ensuring optimum learning and progress for their cohort of pupils. This means the school is constantly buzzing with fresh ideas and enthusiasm as the excellent team of teaching staff work effectively together, while pupils proactively engage with their learning.

Pupils are encouraged to develop the Holly Park Learning Skills as they progress through the school. The 6 Learning Skills are: Commitment, Creativity, Self Management, Reflection, Enquiry and Team work. Please refer to the separate section for more detail on these Learning Skills.

What subjects are taught at Holly Park?

Children at Holly Park will experience the following subjects:

English

This subject is divided into the following 4 sections: ‘Speaking and Listening’, ‘Reading’, ‘Writing’ and ‘Phonics & SPaG’ (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar). Studying English gives children the ability to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively. English forms the basis of many topics as so many other subjects can be explored through drama, reading (both fiction and non-fiction) and writing for different purposes. The children at Holly Park have fortnightly lessons, taught by an additional teacher, that focus specifically on phonics and spelling and serve to consolidate and enhance the learning that has been taking place in the classroom already.

Mathematics

This subject is divided into the following 5 sections: ‘Thinking Mathematically’, ‘Number’, ‘Handling Data’, ‘Calculation’ and ‘Shape, Space & Measures’. Learning Mathematics equips pupils with significant skills and thought processes that will enhance their everyday life.

At Holly Park we stress to the children how important it is to have a good grasp of their times tables. We operate a system of timed, levelled challenges with certificates for each level passed. The children at Holly Park have fortnightly lessons, taught by an additional teacher, that focus specifically on mental maths and serves to consolidate the learning that has been taking place in the classroom already.

Science

This subject is divided into the following 4 sections: ‘Investigation and Enquiry’, ‘Life Processes’, ‘Materials’ and ‘Physical Processes. Science is a great subject to incite curiosity and to encourage children to develop enquiring minds. Pupils gain knowledge to answer questions about the world around them, but also are inspired to extend their knowledge through further enquiry.

ICT

This is a rapidly changing subject as technology develops at such a fast pace. Our ICT team work hard to keep our curriculum relevant and up to date. We have 4 laptop trolleys in the school so children are able to use computers to enhance their learning across the curriculum. Children are also taught explicit skills in ICT for example using digital media or controlling devices.

Geography

Through this subject pupils examine the natural and human worlds. They develop their knowledge of places and environments throughout the world and encounter different societies and cultures. The work of our school Eco Council has direct links to Geography.

History

In History children learn about past societies and consider how the past influences the present. They build a chronological framework based around significant events and people. Pupils gain an understanding of people and their experiences, which can influence their personal choices, attitudes and values.

Design & Technology

Through Design & Technology pupils are encouraged to solve problems creatively. They combine practical skills with an understanding of specific requirements for a product. It is a subject where children learn how and why things work and have a chance to use that knowledge to create something new.

Art

As they progress through the school, children develop their artistic skills in drawing, painting, 3D, textiles, printing, collage and ICT. Art is a subject that lends itself well to a class’s topic and so frequently you see other subjects ‘come to life’ through art.

Religious Education

At Holly Park we teach the agreed Barnet syllabus for Religious Education where different religions are explored through key themes such as ‘Symbols’ or ‘Celebrations’. Every year group at Holly Park will make a visit to a place of worship to enhance pupils’ understanding of other religions and religious practices.

PSHE & Citizenship

PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) and Citizenship help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. This area of learning permeates the everyday life of Holly Park School, where we are constantly working to develop pupils for the wider world. We use the themes ‘Myself’, ‘My Relationships’, ‘Healthy and Safe Lifestyles’ and ‘Citizenship’ to explore issues and enhance pupil’s understanding.

This subject area links to our School Council, Eco Council and Learning Council. It also forms the basis for many assembly themes and has links to the science curriculum.

MFL

The Modern Foreign Language taught at Holly Park is Spanish. These lessons are delivered by a specialist teacher and the children enjoy learning basic Spanish vocabulary and being able to converse about various topics. It is taught in a fun, interactive way using music and songs, games and challenges to engage pupils.

Physical Education

Holly Park has an all weather outdoor pitch that classes use for their outdoor PE sessions. Indoor PE (gymnastics and dance) takes place in the main hall. Children also take part in ‘Take 10’ each day – up to 10 minutes of physical exercise to music within the classroom. At Holly Park we are keen to encourage a healthy lifestyle and children are made aware of the vital importance of being active. PE also provides a great opportunity for pupils to build up their teamwork skills.

Music is an important part of our curriculum. Learn more about it here.

Sex and Relationship Education

At Holly Park we follow the Christopher Winter program. This is a whole school approach and builds from Reception through to Year 6.

Please find attached a copy of the presentation that we use at a parent meeting which outlines the curriculum coverage particularly from Year 4 onwards.

Our Sex and Relationship Curriculum looks like this:

Reception – Our Lives

Our day – To look at daily routines and patterns of the day
Keeping Ourselves clean – Why hygiene is important and basic hygiene
Families – To recognise that families are all different

Year 1 – Growing and Caring for Ourselves

Keeping Clean – To know how to keep ourselves clean
Growing and changing – To understand babies become children and then adults
Families and care – To know there are different types of family and to know which people we can ask for help

Year 2 – Differences

Boys and girls – To identify the concept of male and female and to describe differences. To discuss stereotypes about boys and girls
Male and female – To be aware of differences in male and female animals. To know that new life needs a male and female. To describe the human lifecycle.
Naming body parts- To name the male and female body parts. Be aware of physical differences

Year 3 – Valuing Differences and Keeping Safe

Male and female – To name the male and female body parts. Be aware of physical differences
Personal space – To consider different types of touch and ways of dealing with unwanted touch. Think about what personal space is.
Family differences – All families are different and have different members. To know who to go to for help

Year 4 – Growing Up

Growing & changing – To explore the human life cycle
What is puberty? – Basic facts about puberty. Male & female body parts and basic changes.
Puberty changes and reproduction – understand that children change into adults so that they are able to reproduce. Emotional & physical changes. (including introduction to menstruation)

Year 5 – Puberty

Talking about Puberty – Emotional and physical changes in puberty
Male and female changes – To understand male and female changes in more detail
Puberty and hygiene – To xplore the impact of puberty on the body and importance of physical hygiene. How to get support during puberty

Year 6 – Puberty, Relationships and Reproduction

Puberty and reproduction – To consider puberty & reproduction
Understanding relationships – To consider physical & emotional behaviour in relationships. To know what form of touching is appropriate.
Conception and pregnancy – To explore the process of conception & pregnancy – decisions to be made before having a baby
Communicating in relationships – To explore positive and negative ways of communicating. To consider when it is appropriate to share personal/private information. Know where to get support if it goes wrong.