Curriculum Intent

The curriculum at St Budeaux CE Primary Academy is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It provides opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident and successful learners, with high aspirations. The children learn and know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. The curriculum works hard to support the development of the whole child, which in turn promotes a positive attitude to learning.

The curriculum celebrates diversity and a respect for those around them, while supporting the children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This ensures that children are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Implementation

The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the children in our school. A creative curriculum approach is in place. This approach enables children to make links in their learning and how learning is not just for school but to support them on their journey through life.  The children’s voice is important and their input is recognised and acted upon so that they feel connected to their learning. The curriculum provides children with memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills.  

The children’s own community, its heritage and traditions are frequently used as a starting point for engaging interest. St Budeaux CE Primary Academy is one of the oldest schools in Plymouth and therefore has history to share.  The school is also engaged with the local community, which enriches the children’s learning experiences.

The school’s curriculum is broad and balanced.  Music has a high profile in the school.  The children sing beautifully and have been involved in singing at numerous events around the area.  This aspect of the school is enriched by links with a local Dementia home as the residents often come to school events and absolutely love to hear the children sing. 

 A varied timetable for extra-curricular activities is offered by the school, with clubs that support the curriculum offer, as well as those which develop specialist skills whilst also extending the range of children’s experiences. A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, and provide a purpose and relevance for learning.

The school takes pride in providing an inclusive environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and most make very good progress, connected to their starting point at the school, in most subjects and areas of learning. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. 

Subject leaders play an important part in the success of the curriculum by leading a regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review.  All subject leaders are given training and the opportunity to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding, so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school.

Impact

The innovative practice across the school provides a strong foundation and opportunities for children to collaborate and develop social skills. This curriculum design ensures that the needs of the individual are met within the environment of high-quality teaching and where appropriate, supported by targeted, proven interventions. In this way it can be seen to impact in a very positive way on children’s outcomes.

Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour. Children feel safe to try new things.

Children have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents/carers and other learners through school-based and external exhibitions, performances, competitions and events involving other schools. Developing their independence and motivation as learners and their sense of responsibility as future citizens is at the heart of all our teaching and learning.

We are very proud of our students, and staff and all of the hard work that they put into making St Budeaux CE Primary Academy such an amazing learning environment.   

Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school are:

• English
• maths
• science
• design and technology
• history
• geography
• art and design
• music
• physical education (PE)
• computing
• modern foreign languages 
• personal, social, health education (PSHE) 

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, the learning in each subject is provided for all pupils in the school, including those with special educational needs.

For further information, please see our SEND information, The First Federation SEND policy and the First Federation Equality policy.

Please talk to your child’s teacher or contact the school office if you would like to find out more about our curriculum.