Curriculum

Curriculum Intent

At Portway Junior School, we are dedicated to fostering life-long learners and developing the whole-child. We are passionate about inspiring each individual pupil to become an enthusiastic and curious learner, with a desire to explore the world around them. We believe that by fostering a love of learning, we can provide our pupils with a solid foundation for success in all aspects of their lives. Our curriculum intent is designed to equip our pupils with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for their future academic and personal pursuits, while also promoting their social and emotional development.

Based on the National Curriculum, it is designed to be broad, balanced and ambitious. We have taken great care to ensure that our curriculum reflects both our context and the locality of our school, making it relevant and meaningful to the lives and experiences of our pupils. Subjects are taught discreetly to enable our pupils to develop a strong foundation in each subject, acquire subject-specific skills and be better prepared for secondary education.

Our curriculum is knowledge based and has been carefully sequenced so that subject knowledge is built on prior knowledge and becomes more complex each academic year. Below is our long term plan which shows the content of our curriculum for each year group in every subject:

Whole School Curriculum 2023 - 2024.pdf

Subjects

Implementation

Subject leadership and knowledge

At Portway Junior School, we pride ourselves on the high level of subject knowledge and expertise our teachers bring to the classroom. We believe that a strong foundation in subject matter is crucial for effective teaching and student learning. Each teacher takes a leadership role in a specific subject area, immersing themselves in the latest developments, research, and best practice within their respective disciplines. This subject leadership role allows our teachers to become true experts in their subjects and continuously expand their own knowledge. Our subject leaders play a vital role in sharing their subject knowledge and expertise with their colleagues. This collaborative spirit promotes a vibrant learning community, where our teachers inspire and support one another in delivering the highest quality education to our students.

Equitable delivery

At Portway Junior School, we are committed to creating a inclusive curriculum that is delivered in an equitable manner, providing all students with an equal opportunity to succeed. We believe that maintaining high expectations for all learners, coupled with high quality teaching, plays a pivotal role in fostering an environment where every student can access and excel in the curriculum. Our teachers use a range of teaching strategies, such as flexible grouping, metacognitive strategies, explicit instruction, technology and scaffolding, to support SEND learners across the curriculum.

Assessment

We believe that assessment is an integral part of the learning process. Our assessment practices are designed to help our pupils embed and use knowledge fluently. They allow our teachers to check pupil understanding and inform future teaching. Formative assessments, such as class discussions, quizzes and questioning, occur during the lesson. These assessments allow our teachers to monitor our students' progress, provide timely feedback and make adjustments to instruction to meet individual needs. Formative assessments also encourage our students to reflect on their learning, identify areas for improvement, and take ownership of their academic growth. Summative assessments, such as end-of-unit tests, projects, and presentations, provide opportunities for our students to demonstrate their understanding of key knowledge, concepts and skills acquired. These assessments help our teachers gauge students' overall proficiency and guide future instructional planning.

Monitoring

At Portway Junior School, we are dedicated to ensuring the effective implementation of our curriculum through rigorous monitoring practices. Through a combination of learning walks, pupil voice, and book looks, our senior leaders and middle leaders ensure that the delivery aligns with our curriculum intent. During learning walks, senior leaders and middle leaders observe teaching and learning in action across various year groups and classrooms. They provide an opportunity for leaders to gauge the overall implementation of the curriculum, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and provide constructive feedback to our teachers. Pupil voice activities, such as surveys, focus groups or individual conversations, provide leaders with our students' experiences and perceptions. We gain valuable insights into their engagement, understanding, and overall satisfaction with the curriculum. Their feedback informs our decision-making and helps shape future curriculum enhancements. Book looks help our leaders to gain an understanding of the progress our pupils have made, the level of challenge they are provided with and the effectiveness of our teacher feedback. They also help us to evaluate the extent to which the curriculum objectives are being met, identify patterns or gaps in our student understanding, and provide targeted support where needed.

Enrichment

Educational Trips

At Portway Junior School, educational trips play a crucial role in enriching the curriculum by providing students with real-world experiences that enhance their learning. These trips offer a unique opportunity for our students to go beyond the confines of the classroom and engage with the subjects they are studying in a tangible and immersive way. Whether it's exploring historical sites, collecting fieldwork data, or visiting cultural institutions, educational trips bring learning to life, and help our pupils to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the curriculum. These experiences allow our students to make meaningful connections between theory and practice. Moreover, educational trips encourage our pupils to be critical thinkers, problem solve, and adapt to new environments whilst interacting with different cultures and perspectives. By broadening our horizons of our pupils through educational trips, we inspire curiosity, ignite passion, and nurture lifelong learners who are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Residential Trips

In Year 4 and Year 6, our pupils embark on unforgettable adventures and create lasting memories with our exciting residential trips. They offer a unique opportunity for our students to step out of their comfort zones, build independence, and develop valuable life skills. Our pupils have the chance to explore new environments, make new friends, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Our experienced staff ensure a safe and supportive environment, allowing students to grow in confidence and resilience as they tackle new challenges. These residential trips foster teamwork, adaptability, and a sense of adventure, preparing our students to become well-rounded individuals ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Forest School

Our Forest School sessions offer our pupils the opportunity to explore, discover, and connect with nature in a hands-on and holistic way. From building shelters and tracking wildlife to identifying plants and engaging in sensory activities, our students develop a deep appreciation for the environment while fostering essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. The forest becomes our classroom, where imagination and creativity flourish, and where children build confidence and a sense of adventure. We inspire our pupils to develop a love for nature and cultivate a lifelong connection with the world around us through our exceptional Forest School program.

School Money