Middleham: 01969 623592 / Spennithorne: 01969 623474

Curriculum

Curriculum

Our curriculum is based around the National Curriculum 2014.

Overview

The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.

Follow this link to the Department of Education website.

Please use the links below to find out what our children will be taught.

 

Our Curriculum

Please expand each toggle to view the contents within the subject matter

Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact

Curriculum Intent

Our Federation vision and values are at the root of the curriculum. We seek to give our children healthy roots, to enable them to learn and live fruitful lives: to love one another, to care for the environment in which they are planted and the wider world, and to grow in whatever they do.

We have high aspirations for all our children and expect them to achieve the highest standards. We have designed a curriculum that is exciting and challenging, which stimulates and enthuses, and which develops them as rounded individuals with deep rooted knowledge, skills and the cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

Our core aims are to provide a curriculum that empowers the children to be:

ASPIRATIONAL

RESPECTFUL

RESILIENT

We believe that by having these three aims at the root of our curriculum this will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

Curriculum Implementation

Although we are two schools, we plan and work together as one. Subject leadership is shared over both schools and staff plan together as a team, creating an exciting curriculum through purposeful learning opportunities for our pupils. Confident in the Lord and enabled by their learning, pupils will grow in knowledge, skills and wisdom by thinking about and debating challenging real-life issues, leading and taking part in projects that will positively impact the lives of others.

Teaching enables children to ‘send out their roots by the stream’. This will enable them develop their knowledge and confidence and learn about the world around them and beyond their community. Personal development and positive attitudes shape our approach to learning to ensure that our pupils have confidence in themselves as unique individuals. Positive mental health and well-being is an integral part of the curriculum.

We ensure that the curriculum is systemic and relevant to the context of our school community. We assess our pupils diligently so we know where we need to take them next; we know our children and their families exceptionally well.

EYFS Long Term Plan

KS1 Long Term Plan

Year 3 & 4 Long Term Plan

Year 5 & 6 Long Term Plan

Curriculum Impact

All our children ‘will have leaves that are always green.’ Their love of learning in all aspects of the curriculum means that they are aspirational, and they develop respect of themselves and others.

All our children are resilient and ‘will not fear when heat comes.’  Behaviour is excellent. Pupils’ personal development is a strength and is evident in the way that pupils contribute to the life of school and how they interact with each other and the world around them. Our pupils understand and express their emotions well and handle interpersonal relationships thoughtfully and empathetically.

All our children ‘will never fail to bear fruit.’ The knowledge, skills and wisdom support and prepare our children as individuals for life beyond our schools. They are fully prepared for the next stage of their education through the strong roots that have been planted to enable them to flourish and the importance that has been placed on resilience.

Click here to read our Teaching and Learning Policy

Full details of the National Curriculum documentation can be obtained here

Art and Design

At The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, Art and Design is seen as a fundamental part of school life. We are committed to providing a rich Art and Design Curriculum for our children and we believe that by developing this, we can contribute to the quality of our children’s lives, both within and beyond school. Art and Design enables children to express themselves, to be creative and to learn about their own and other cultures and communities. We see Art and Design as a means to support learning in a range of ways; skills developed in Art and Design can be transferred across the curriculum to aid learning in school and beyond.

The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools follows the national curriculum and Early Years Framework to ensure knowledge; skills and understanding are taught throughout all key stages. The school has created its own long and medium term planning which details the topics, objectives, knowledge, skills and vocabulary which should be covered. Through this planning, the national curriculum breath of study for Art & Design is fully covered.

Our core aims are to provide an Art and Design curriculum that builds on pupils’ individual talents and uniqueness and empowers our children to be:

ASPIRATIONAL

RESPECTFUL

RESILIENT

We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

Art Policy

FEDMAS Art Curriculum Map

British Values

Within The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) Primary Schools, we take very seriously our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain. We ensure that the fundamental British Values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of the school. All curriculum areas provide a vehicle for furthering understanding of these concepts and lessons provide excellent opportunities to deepen and develop understanding. Children embrace these concepts with enthusiasm and demonstrate a good understanding of their application to their own lives.

The schools make considerable efforts to ensure children have exposure to a wide experience beyond their local community during which these concepts are shown, through for example, sporting events, a range of visits and use of outdoor education centres. Their strong rooted values-based understanding gives them an excellent platform for embracing difference.

Computing

“I think it’s fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created. They’re tools of communication, they’re tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their use.” 

Bill Gates (American computer programmer and entrepreneur who cofounded Microsoft Corporation)

In our schools, our computing curriculum aims to equip children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.

Our units of study follow the ‘Teach Computing’ programme which is a resource offered by The National Centre for Computing Education, a government-funded initiative.

Children learn to use technology purposefully and evaluate and apply skills to solve problems. Children are also taught how to use technology safely and respectfully in this ever-changing world. Online Safety is also the topic for assemblies, lessons and special days throughout the year.

Computing has cross-curricular links and can be embedded into many areas of learning and in our creative curriculum themes. Children will be taught the principles of information and computation; how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming.

Our progression map for computing ensures that children at our schools develop the skills to become digitally literate- expressing themselves through information and communication technology – ready for them to become active participants in the digital world.

FEDMAS Computing Long Term Plan

FEDMAS Computing Policy

For Computing Progression Map please contact the Computing Subject Leader: Mrs Anna Bowkett

Design and Technology

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

— Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, Inc.

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.  Across our schools we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other curriculum areas such as Maths, English, Science, Computing and Art.

The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. The children work in a range of relevant contexts (for example home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment).

We provide the children with the opportunities;

  • To develop creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
  • To build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users and critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.
  • Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of products.

It is important for children to learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Click here to read our DT Long Term Plan and Curriculum Map

Click here to read our DT Policy

Early Years

Click here for our EYFS tranisiton handbook

In the Early Years Foundation Stage at The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, we aspire to provide our children with the best possible start by providing them with a welcoming, safe environment where their learning can flourish. We want all of our children to be happy, confident and inquisitive learners.

We aim to provide a high-quality teaching and learning environment, both indoors and outdoors. We provide our children with a language rich environment with lots of play opportunities in order to develop our children’s language and social skills, as well as developing their confidence and self-esteem.

We provide a balance between structured play activities and adult led sessions. We use a topic-based approach to inspire our pupils’ learning, whilst there are also plenty of opportunities for children to pursue their own interests, ask and answer questions, explore, problem solve and co-operate which helps them to become independent learners.

We also ensure that our children are developing their skills in reading, writing and mathematics. Reading is at the heart of our curriculum as we believe it is the core skill children need to succeed in their education. We teach writing through texts, children have daily phonics sessions, reading sessions and reading challenges are throughout our provision. We also encourage children to read at home as much as possible.

We are committed to giving our children the best possible start to their school life and we work closely with parents and families to guarantee the best possible outcomes for our pupils. We hold celebration events which families are invited to attend and use an online learning journey which allows parents to receive updates about their child’s learning.

As a whole school, our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the EYFS curriculum that empowers the children to be:

ASPIRATIONAL

RESPECTFUL

RESILIENT

We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

EYFS Long Term Plan 2022 – 2023

EYFS Policy

We are committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare.  Our policy can be found below:

EYFS and Safeguarding Policy

English

At The Federation of Middleham (VA) and Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, we believe that language and English is fundamental to the overall development of the child and their access to the curriculum in all its aspects. We recognise that the acquisition of English, both spoken and written, will empower our pupils and provide the foundation for all future learning. We promote a culture of reading, not simply as a life skill, but to also develop in pupils a love of books and literature that will not only support their learning across the curriculum, but also enrich their lives. We aim to provide our pupils with a wide experience of literature throughout the Foundation Stage and Key Stages 1 and 2.

Our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the English curriculum that empowers the children to be:

ASPIRATIONAL

RESPECTFUL

RESILIENT

We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

English Policy

Phonics Policy

Click here for EYFS Long Term Plan

Key Stage 1 & 2 Long Term Plan

For the English Progression Map please contact the English Subject Leader: Mrs R Ibbotson

Phonics (reading and spelling)

At The Federation of Middleham (VA) and Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Reception and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words as they read. We also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

Phonics Parents Evening Oct 2023

Comprehension

At The Federation of Middleham (VA) and Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools we value reading as a crucial life skill. By the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose.

Because we believe teaching every child to read is so important, we have a Reading Leader who drives the early reading programme in our school. This person is highly skilled at teaching phonics and reading, and they monitor and support our reading team, so everyone teaches with fidelity to the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.

Reading for Pleasure

We place reading at the heart of the curriculum and value reading for pleasure greatly at The Federation of Middleham (VA) and Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools. Below are some recommended reads for each year group – how many can you read through your journey at our school?

EYFS Recommended Reads

Year 1 Recommended Reads

Year 2 Recommended Reads

Year 3 Recommended Reads

Year 4 Recommended Reads

Year 5 Recommended Reads

Year 6 Recommended Reads

Forest Schools

 

    What is Forest School?

    Forest School Association defines Forest School as:

    “An inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.”

    Principles of Forest School

     

    • Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions where planning, observations and reviews will inform each session.
    • Forest School takes place in a natural environment or woodland to develop a positive relationship between the learner and nature.
    • Forest School uses a range of learner centred processes to build a community for development and learning. Practice is responsive to the needs and interests of the learner with the onus on play and free choice.
    • Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, encouraging confidence, independence, creativity and resilience.
    • Forest School promotes opportunities for participants to take supported risks which are appropriate to themselves and the environment.
    • Forest school is run by qualified practitioners who continuously develop and maintain their practice.

    My Forest School

    • My Forest school is about offering children regular opportunities to develop their learning through play and exploration in a safe, natural environment. Providing a range hands on experiences and achievable tasks will encourage children to manage their own risks, developing problem solving, communication and teamwork. Being outside in the fresh air enhances moods, motivation and concentration, not to mention the physical benefits.

     

    • A big part of the sessions is to create a sense of ownership of the site, helping children to understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment around Multi-sensory exploration, noticing the seasonal changes and the natural growing processes which in turn can inspire creativity. Children gain a sense of mindfulness reflecting on things they have achieved and challenges they have overcome.

     

    • Through observations and discussions with teachers, I can plan sessions with activities and include appropriate levels of risk to suit the needs of the individual and the group. There will be opportunities for both free and structured play along with a variety of resources and materials available to enhance the experience.

     

    Expected Outcomes

    • Confidence: Freedom to explore and discover through play with appropriate
    • Team Player: Playing with others developing empathy, teamwork, taking turns and sharing skills.
    • Active: Increased stamina with improved motor
    • Communication: Develop language through positive sensory Encourage children to talk to each other and adults.
    • Motivation: Engage children with small achievable tasks ensuring a feeling of success, doing something worthwhile.
    • Creativity: Sensory experiences to explore, stimulated
    • Nature: Develop understanding and respect for the natural

     

    Geography

    “The study of Geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.” – Barack Obama.

    ‘A high quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.’ (National Curriculum, 2014)

    At The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, we believe that a high-quality, and engaging, geography curriculum will inspire children to explore and develop a deeper understanding of both natural and human aspects of the world. We endeavour to continuously develop the children’s geographical knowledge and understanding to ensure that they have the skills needed to explore and appreciate the world around them.

    Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area, and they compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps, and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world, and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.

    The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools follows the national curriculum and Early Years Framework to ensure knowledge; skills and understanding are taught throughout all key stages. The school has created its own long and medium term planning which details the topics, objectives, knowledge, skills and vocabulary which should be covered. Through this planning, the national curriculum breath of study for history is fully covered.

    Our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the geography curriculum that empowers the children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESPECTFUL

    RESILIENT

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    Aims of the Geography Curriculum

    By the time the children leave The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, they will be competent and skilled geographers. Our aims in the teaching of geography are:

    • To enable children to gain knowledge and understanding and a curiosity of the geographical nature of their immediate local area
    • To enable children to gain knowledge and understanding of places in the world and make connections and comparisons with the local community;
    • To increase children’s knowledge of other cultures and, in so doing, teach a respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multicultural country;
    • To allow children to learn graphic skills, including how to use, draw and interpret maps;
    • To enable children to know and understand environmental problems at a local, regional and global level;
    • To encourage in children a commitment to sustainable development, and an appreciation of what ‘global citizenship’ means;
    • To develop in children a variety of other skills, including those of enquiry, problem-solving, ICT, investigation, and that of presenting their conclusions in the most appropriate way
    • To develop the cross-curricular use of geography in all subjects.

    FEDMAS Geography Policy 

    Geogrpahy Curriculum Map

    History

    History is part of every aspect of our daily life. All parts of our culture and way of life are the outcome of History. Every part of the curriculum is thus influenced by History. In working to offer children an education that helps them to make sense of the world in which they live, and makes them ready for adult life, it is impossible to ignore History. The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools follows the national curriculum and Early Years documentation to ensure knowledge; skills and understanding are taught throughout all key stages. The school has created its own long and medium term planning which details the topics, objectives, knowledge, skills and vocabulary which should be covered. Through this long term planning, the national curriculum breath of study for history is fully covered.

    Our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the history curriculum that empowers the children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESPECTFUL

    RESILIENT

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    Click here to read the history policy

    Click here to read our history curriculum map

    Click here to refer to the history National Curriculum

    Maths

    At the Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, we are mathematicians, logical thinkers, problem solvers and decision makers! The Mathematics Curriculum has been developed so that every child can achieve and reach their full potential.  Children can experience a sense of awe and wonder as they solve a problem, discover different solutions and make links between different areas of mathematics through rich and diverse learning experiences. It provides pupils with a deep understanding of the subject through a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach giving pupils opportunity to reason and solve problems and allows them to develop a fluent conceptual understanding in each area.

    We aim to plant mathematics firmly in the real world and challenge the pupils to think about how they could apply concepts taught to everyday life problems. We adopt an approach which prepares children for mastering mathematical concepts and encourages children to embrace mistakes and take risks within an inquisitive and questioning environment. At the root of our mathematics teaching and learning, we aim to develop a positive mathematics mind-set in all children and a life-long love of the subject. Our core aims are to provide a Mathematics curriculum that builds on pupils’ previous learning, individual talents and uniqueness and empowers our children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESILIENT

    RESPECTFUL

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    We believe that these are the three fruits that we would like to give our pupils to help them to succeed as life-long learners and children of God. The ‘giving’ of these fruits are what drives the curriculum at the Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools. We want our children to be happy mathematicians who are confident, reflective, and resilient.

    Click here for our Maths Policy

    Click here for our Maths Long Term Plan

    Click here for our Maths Progression

    Click here for our Vocabulary Progression

    Click here for our KS1 Calculation Policy

    Click here for our LKS2 Calculation Policy 

    Click here for our UKS2 Calculation Policy

    Modern Foreign Languages (French)

    FRENCH

    A high quality languages education should foster children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world. At The Federation of Middleham (VA) and Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools we are committed to ensuring that competence in another language enables children to interpret, create and exchange meaning within and across cultures. It also helps children develop skills that will open further opportunities later in life. The teaching of French in KS1 and KS2 provides an appropriate balance of spoken and written language and lays the foundations for further foreign language teaching at KS3. The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools follows the national curriculum to ensure knowledge, skills and understanding are taught throughout all key stages. The school has adapted long term and medium term planning from Kapow which details the topics, objectives, knowledge, skills and vocabulary which should be covered. Through this long term planning, the national curriculum breath of study for Modern Foreign Languages is fully covered.

    Our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the Modern Foreign Languages curriculum that empowers the children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESPECTFUL

    RESILIENT

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    FEDMAS MFL Policy

    FEDMAS French (MFL) Long Term Plan

    For French Curriculum Progression Map please contact the MFL Subject Leader: Mrs Rosie Ibbotson

    Music

    At The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools we believe that all children should have access to music, and we take pride that all our children from year one up to year six learn to play an instrument in a whole class setting.

    Our music lessons revolve around performance, composition and appraising, allowing students to study the traditions of music past and present, as well as its cultural uniqueness throughout the world.

    Working in partnership with the Sing Academy & NYCC we also have students learning to sing and play piano, as well as opportunities to work with computers in music production. IT features in our music curriculum with students having access to programmes such as Garage Band.

    In addition to our instrumental programmes, singing also features strongly in our school.  We have a school choir who perform at events both within and outside the schools. All pupils have the opportunity to perform to a range of audiences at concerts, performances in school and during Church Services.

    To find out more about Sing Education visit their website here.

    For more information about the Federation Music Curriculum please contact the subject leaders: Mrs M Mann & Mrs R Brown.

    Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education

    Our Federation vision and values are at the root of the PSHE & RSE curriculum.

    We seek to give our children healthy roots, to enable them to learn and live fruitful lives: to love one another, to care for the environment in which they are planted and the wider world, and to grow in whatever they do. We have high aspirations for all our children and expect them to achieve the highest standards.

    We have designed a curriculum that is exciting and challenging, which stimulates and enthuses, and which develops them as rounded individuals with deep rooted knowledge, skills and the cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

    Our core aims are to provide a curriculum that empowers the children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESPECTFUL

    RESILIENT

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root of our PSHE & RSE curriculum this will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    FEDMAS PSHE & RSE Policy

    FEDMAS PSHE Long Term Plan

    Physical Education

    At The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools we aim to give children the opportunity to experience a multitude of physical activities and sports in line with the National Curriculum. Competitive sport is encouraged and is fulfilled through fixtures against local schools via our association with Richmond School, the Swaledale Alliance and our own school collaboration. These experiences provide opportunities for pupils to develop skills such as: sportsmanship; resilience; perseverance and confidence, all of which are reinforced through in school PE sessions.

    Through a minimum of 2 hours of activity a week in the curriculum, children experience six aspects of PE: gymnastics, movement/dance, athletics, swimming, games and outdoor activities.

    In Early Years (Reception)  the curriculum focuses on children’s physical development, teaching and developing the fundamental skills of movement, balance, coordination, flexibility and agility.

    In Key Stage One, the children are taught the fundamental skills that will give them a platform to build on in the future. Activities include: dance; gymnastics and multi skills. These activities aim to teach the children basic movements including balance and co-ordination. Opportunities to work together in team games are given regularly, both as part of the curriculum and through after school and lunch time sport clubs.

    In Key Stage Two, children build on these skills and become more engaged in competitive sports. Opportunities to play competitive sport are available on a consistent basis and lunchtime and after school clubs are available in preparation for these fixtures. As well as improving skill levels in sporting activities, the children learn to analyse their own performance and create next steps for improvement. These are then built upon through structured PE sessions form school staff and external coaches.

    Click here to read our PE Long Term Plan

    Click here to read our PE Policy

    For Progression of Knowledge & Skills please contact the PE subject leader: Mrs Marie Mann

    Religious Education

    We believe that RE is a key part of realising our vision. RE gives the opportunity to learn, to reflect, to understand ourselves and others, to be challenged with the big questions of life, to become tolerant, to think critically, and to evaluate, as well as to learn about other faiths. It is a very special subject.

    At The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, pupils and their families can expect a high quality Religious Education (RE) curriculum that is rich and varied, enabling learners to acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of a range of faiths and world views. We teach using the North Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus to teach RE and supplement our teaching using the resource scheme Understanding Christianity to develop a broad understanding of Christianity and how religious belief can impact on the day to day lives of people. Through the Understanding Christianity resource, the use of an enquiry approach engages with significant Christian theological concepts and the pupil’s own understanding of the world as part of their wider religious literacy. Links with our school vision, and support for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development are intrinsic to our RE curriculum and have a significant impact on learners. We provide a wide range of opportunities for learners to understand and to make links between the beliefs, practices and value systems of the range of faiths and worldviews studied.

    Our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the RE curriculum that empowers the children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESPECTFUL

    RESILIENT

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    FEDMAS RE Policy

    RE Curriculum Map

    Science

    “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” — Mae Jemison, Engineer, Physician and Former NASA Astronaut

    A FEDMAS scientist …

    … is aspirational, curious and raises questions to develop their scientific knowledge. Their love of learning is rooted in confidence and resilience. They show competence in a full range of practical skills, for example, planning and carrying out scientific investigations. They have love to grow in their scientific knowledge and understanding which is demonstrated in written and verbal explanations, solving challenging problems and reporting scientific findings. They have a passion for science and its application in past, present and future technologies.

    At The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools, we acknowledge and celebrate that each child is unique and that they learn in different ways. We provide a rich and varied science learning experience that allows children to develop their knowledge, skills and abilities to their full potential. Our science curriculum is ambitious and designed to meet the diverse needs of the children who attend The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools. It aims to provide all pupils with the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to succeed in their lives.

    The Federation of Middleham (VA) & Spennithorne (VC) CE Primary Schools follows the national curriculum and Early Years Framework to ensure knowledge; skills and understanding are taught throughout all key stages. The school has created its own long and medium term planning which details the topics, objectives, knowledge, skills and vocabulary which should be covered. Through this planning, the national curriculum breath of study for science is fully covered.

    Our core aims are to provide teaching and learning opportunities through the science curriculum that empowers the children to be:

    ASPIRATIONAL

    RESPECTFUL

    RESILIENT

    We believe that by having these three aims at the root, will equip our pupils to LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES and to LEARN, LOVE and GROW.

    FEDMAS Science Policy

    FEDMAS Science Curriculum Map