Creative Curriculum

 

 

 

 

Our curriculum is unique to Linden and has been designed to provide exciting and innovative learning experiences for our children with a specific focus on creative arts and experiential learning.

 

 It was designed using National Curriculum objectives and rigorous systems were applied to ensure full legal coverage whilst ensuring that learning is takes place in context through cross curricular links rather than subjects being taught in isolation.

 

There is a focus on the progression of the basic skills of Literacy, Numeracy and ICT.  Where strong links cannot be made subjects are taught discretely, for instance most, but not all, maths is taught discretely. Literacy has been re-designed to fit with the new creative curriculum. National Literacy Strategy objectives are still taught but a critical pathway has been designed and implemented to ensure that Literacy skills can be developed in conjunction with and/ or through other subjects. Not all Literacy is linked to the theme. In order to ensure breadth of literary experience some Literacy units are taught in isolation.  Science is taught discretely as well as through the themes and there is a much greater emphasis placed on investigation and experiments. 

 

The thematic approach is driven by termly foci; history, geography and science. These subjects are enhanced using art, D.T. and dance.  Emphasis is placed on developing children’s skills as learners and skill ladders are used to ensure progression and to nurture increasing independence across the primary phase.  We strive for quality not quantity and to do ‘less, better’. Children are immersed in their learning so through content coverage, skills based learning, support where needed and independence being encouraged children become experts in their field.

 

The Creative Curriculum, at Linden, is built on a philosophy, which embraces four key elements; environment, teaching, learning and creativity. Our Curriculum Development Plan focuses on this vision.

 

Liaising with the Children’s Centre which includes the Lighthouse and Pebbles Nursery is essential for continuity during the Foundation Stage, which runs from the age of three to the end of the Reception year.  The Reception teacher visits children at the Nursery and the children are invited into the reception classroom in the Summer Term.  These links are very important in helping the children to make the change to full-time education with confidence.

 

Early Years

 

In our Reception Classes Linden Primary School promotes the six Early Learning Goals: communication; language and literacy; mathematical development; physical development; creative development; personal, social and emotional development; and knowledge and understanding of the world.  The curriculum is well structured in which play is seen as a valuable learning tool.  The atmosphere is busy yet relaxed and provides a secure environment for the children to extend their learning and make progress.

 

At the beginning of the school year, the Reception children build up their attendance over their first few weeks.  Typically children initially will attend school either each morning or afternoon, this is  then extended to cover the lunch hour and then children will start full time.  This allows them to get used to the routines of the school day in a relaxed way, whilst building up their stamina ready for a full day at school.  The staff at Linden Primary School aim to develop a partnership with parents, and are always happy to discuss any issues that may arise.  In particular, when dealing with such very young children we would encourage parents to discuss any concerns they may have with the class teacher.