Curriculum - Intent, implementation & impact statement

Curriculum intent statement

Our overwhelming desire is that at the end of a seven year association with Silverdale Academy each child should leave with a portfolio of rich and happy memories. Whilst this may appear a little nebulous to include as a curricular aim it is in fact the bedrock of the school’s philosophy and encompasses everything it seeks to achieve.

At Silverdale Primary Academy the curriculum is designed to: inspire our children and enable staff to flourish and achieve their best; recognise children’s prior learning; provide first hand experiences; allow the children to develop interpersonal skills; build resilience; and to become creative, critical thinkers.

Our Learning Ninjas, designed by the children, all help develop skills which the whole academy community agree will prepare the children for their futures

How will we implement this intent?

What will the impact be?

Implementation statement

A lifelong love of learning is stimulated through a well thought out curriculum steeped in the National Curriculum and taken beyond.  An understanding of the local is key, before we broaden the children’s horizons throughout the curriculum areas. The curriculum enables children to make links across subjects, as well as to their prior learning, is addition they are encouraged to ask questions and solve their own quandaries, enabling them to develop life skills which will continue to develop after their time at Silverdale has ended

The curriculum is underpinned by The University of Brighton Academies Trust core values Achieving Ambitions; Working Together; Delivering Excellence; and Nurturing Potential

Every child is recognised as a unique individual. We celebrate and welcome differences within our school community. The ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, powerful knowledge, concepts and values. We constantly provide opportunities for Cultural Capital in a meaningful context to engage learning and believe that childhood should be a happy, investigative and enquiring time in our lives where there are no limits to curiosity and there is a thirst for new experiences and knowledge.  

The main conduit for this is through our Silverdale Happiness Ninjas; six key values and skills needed to promote responsibility for learning and future success. These are Ambition, Courage, Determination, Resilience, Inspiration and Dynamism.  This links back to the UoBAT vision;

“To create a vibrant, inclusive community, transforming lives and broadening horizons through excellent teaching and learning.”

Community involvement is an essential part of our curriculum as we celebrate local traditions, learning new skills to enable the children to take an active role in events throughout the year.

Children leave the academy with a sense of belonging to a tightly knit community where they have the confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, make connections and become lifelong learners.

The impact of our curriculum on our learners strives to ensure developing detailed knowledge and skills across the curriculum and, as result, achieving well and going forward to destinations that meet their interests and aspirations.

Our ambitious curriculum is implemented through successful subject leadership, secure subject knowledge, detailed curriculum planning and is delivered via a progressive model in a non-discriminatory manner.

At Silverdale Primary we offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced and builds upon the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children as they progress through our academy, whatever their starting points. 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 pupils in our academy. The aim of our curriculum is for pupils to have the necessary skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is separated into seven areas of development. There are three ‘Prime Areas’ and four ‘Specific Areas’. The Prime areas are fundamental skills and work together to support development in all other areas of development. Children are assessed against Early Learning Goals which builds a profile towards achieving an outcome defined as a good level of development (GLD).  Throughout this period and beyond, all children develop their phonic knowledge through the Bug Club (Pearsons) Program which supports their reading progression alongside Daily Supported Reader

The National Curriculum is delivered using an integrated approach through theme based learning and assessed using SONAR curriculum statements linked to the Powerful Knowledge documents. These are in line with National Curriculum expectations and are used as a basis to ensure coverage and progression throughout the school. The more able pupils are challenged further in their learning and children who find aspects of their learning more difficult are appropriately supported through adjustments so that they too are enabled to access the same ambitious curriculum. Curriculum overviews are mapped out as a whole academy and individual year groups then plan the curriculum delivery for their pupils accordingly.

The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils and their understanding of the core values of our society are woven through the curriculum. We want excellence for our pupils and their families, our staff, and our academy community. We believe that education transforms lives, which is why our academy has a rich curriculum to ensure that pupils meet their potential and are inspired to continue learning. We work with integrity. We recognise the unique character of our academy and tailor the support we provide to suit the needs of our pupils. We respect all cultures and beliefs, and believe in honesty and openness. Innovation is key. We strive to improve. Our pupils’ experience is enriched by the ambitious and creative curriculum that we deliver.

External specialists and providers are also used to enhance and enrich delivery of some curriculum areas. Subject leaders are given training opportunities to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and understanding so they can support curriculum development and their colleagues throughout the school. Theme weeks, whole academy activities and opportunities within and outside the academy enrich and develop the children’s learning. After school clubs and events extend these opportunities further. Additional whole school programs and approaches support quality first teaching and learning and the academy is well resourced in terms of learning materials, books and technology.

The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an opportunity for active learning for all our pupils. The academy grounds have been extensively developed so they can enrich different curriculum areas. Pupils have opportunities to share their learning with each other, their parents and carers and other learners through academy organised events. This develops their independence, resilience and motivation as learners and also their sense of responsibility as future citizens.

Impact statement

IMPACT STATEMENT

Ambition: At Silverdale Primary Academy, we inspire our students to dream big and set ambitious goals for themselves. Through our curriculum, we provide them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to pursue their aspirations and strive for success.

Courageous: We foster a culture of courage at Silverdale Primary Academy, encouraging our students to step out of their comfort zones and take risks. We believe that by embracing challenges and facing their fears, our students develop the resilience and confidence needed to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Determined: At Silverdale Primary Academy, we cultivate a sense of determination in our students. We teach them the importance of perseverance and the value of hard work. Through engaging learning experiences and support from our dedicated educators, our students develop a strong work ethic and the drive to overcome any setbacks they may encounter.

Dynamic: Our curriculum at Silverdale Primary Academy is dynamic and ever-evolving. We recognise the fast-paced nature of the world and aim to equip our students with adaptable skills and knowledge. We provide a range of learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities, ensuring our students are prepared for an ever-changing future.

Inspirational: At Silverdale Primary Academy, we believe in the power of inspiration. We provide our students with role models, motivational stories, and opportunities to explore their passions. We aim to ignite their curiosity and spark a lifelong love for learning. By nurturing their innate sense of wonder, we inspire our students to become lifelong learners and pursue their dreams with enthusiasm.

Resilient: Resilience is a key characteristic we aim to instil in our students at Silverdale Primary Academy. We teach them how to bounce back from adversity, adapt to change, and develop a positive mindset. Through a supportive and nurturing environment, we help our students develop the emotional and mental fortitude needed to navigate life's challenges and setbacks.

Together, as part of Silverdale Primary Academy, our students will grow into ambitious, courageous, determined, dynamic, inspirational, and resilient individuals. They will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to make a positive impact in their own lives and the lives of others. With their shining potential, they will embark on a journey of lifelong learning and personal growth.