Curriculum
At Eton Wick First School, our curriculum enables our children to have our vision at the heart of everything they do:
'We are all growing, developing and learning, achieving success in a caring community; A farmer went out to sow the seed. As he was scattering...seed fell on good soil...'
We provide a broad curriculum, rich in first hand experiences and opportunities for creativity and application of knowledge. It encourages children to; be inspired learners, independent thinkers and have enquiring minds.
Our curriculum is delivered through a blend of discreet and thematic approaches to learning which ensures comprehensive coverage of national expectations. It is a progress model through year groups and key stages, ensuring that the children are always re-visiting key concepts and using these as building blocks to build upon more knowledge; making certain that our children are learning more, knowing more, and, importantly, remembering more.
We believe children learn better when they are encouraged to use their imagination and apply their learning to engaging contexts. Our curriculum provides learning challenges throughout the academic year that will require children to solve problems, apply themselves creatively and express their knowledge and understanding effectively across the curriculum. Where we can, we plan and deliver subjects together so that children can make connections across subject areas.
How do we know what children have learned? In the wider curriculum, essential skills and knowledge are tied to challenges and quizzes both at the end of a unit and re-visited through the year through quick fire questioning to assess how much information children have retained. There are opportunities throughout the year for revision and retrieval practise to ensure that children are moving onto their next transitional phase with the key skills. Knowledge that has been retained long - term enables children to make links with subjects, develop their creativity, analysis etc.
In order to engage children in their learning, they will: gain memorable first-hand experiences, such as going on a visit or inviting a special visitor into school; get an exciting introduction to a topic or theme; begin researching and setting enquiry questions; get opportunities to make observations; develop spoken language skills and learn new vocabulary; take part in sensory activities.
To develop their learning, children will: develop and practise their new skills; compose, make, do, build, investigate, explore, write for different purposes and read across the curriculum; research their own questions and those set by others; follow new pathways of enquiry based on their interests.
To ensure that children are able to apply knowledge and skills taught, they will: apply skills, knowledge and understanding in real-life contexts; solve real or imagined problems using everything they’ve learnt; get inspired by imaginative and creative opportunities; revisit anything not fully grasped through revision and retrieval practise throughout the year.
We want children to be experts, performers and informers. We ensure that children: share their achievements with parents, classmates and the community; evaluate finished products and processes; link what they have learnt to where they started; celebrate their achievements.
To find out more about each subject, please click the links below:
Art and Design
Design and Technology
English
Geography
History
Mathematics
Science
Physical Education (PE)
Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Religious Education (RE)