Our Curriculum Rationale

The Curriculum at Portfields - OUR RATIONALE

Our curriculum 'DRIVERS'

Rather than just letting subjects drive the curriculum, we feel that it should be the needs of children that should determine the emphasis. It is vital that our children learn what is in the statutory National Curriculum, but most parents and teachers know that children need much more than this. Balancing children’s needs with the statutory curriculum will always be a challenge, but instead of the two acting in opposition we aim to ensure the content of the curriculum meets the needs of children and fulfils statutory requirements. To do this, we established some key ‘Drivers’ for our school. These aim to ‘drive’ learning forward and become the ‘Drivers’ for our unique Portfields Curriculum.

We use these 'drivers' to underpin the development work we undertake in all areas of school life and to ensure our curriculum offer is enriched and personalised to meet the needs of our community and reflects our location here in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes.

After a thorough consultation with stakeholders, we decided on four main drivers for our exciting curriculum:

• COMMUNICATION
• DIVERSITY
• RESILIENCE / INDEPENDENCE
• ASPIRATION

COMMUNICATION

Through our curriculum all learners will learn how to effectively communicate through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Through effective communication where learners feel supported, are comfortable expressing their own thoughts and ideas in discussions, attempt challenges and ask when they need help, all learners will fully engage and participate with their own learning and achieve great things.

DIVERSITY

Our curriculum equips learners for critical and active engagement with the challenges and opportunities of life in a fast-changing and interdependent world. We will provide opportunities for pupils to make sense of a world marked by division, conflict, environmental change, inequality and poverty. Pupils will recognise and celebrate different perspectives, ideas, beliefs and values. Developing a sense of community and belonging, pupils will contribute to our school, community and the wider world.

INDEPENDENCE AND RESILIENCE

Pupils gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge they need to learn effectively. They take responsibility for their own learning, are self-motivated, curious and take initiative. As such, they gain confidence and the ability to learn from mistakes; building resilience. Pupil voice is at the heart of all planning and they have an increased sense of ownership of their learning. Pupils are enthusiastic and display an exceptionally positive attitude to learning, knowing that their voice is heard and directly impacts on what and how they learn.

ASPIRATION

Our curriculum develops assertive, motivated and aspirational pupils supported by an enriched curriculum which excites, engages and challenges. Pupils see the relevance of their learning experience and can connect their knowledge through rich, real-life experiences.

Working hard enables pupils to fulfil their potential and hence fosters self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence. It connects pupils with their own personal and academic development, and teaches them that everyone can achieve, if they are prepared to dream big and persevere. It also helps pupils to understand the need to respect the rights of every pupil to learn in a calm, focused and supportive atmosphere.