Nelson Mandela Primary School

Curriculum

At our school, the intent is to provide a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and as stated in the DFE National Curriculum for England:

promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at our school and of society, and
prepares pupils at our school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

The aims of our curriculum:

To fulfil the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum, maintaining high expectations of pupils’ attainment through teaching of knowledge and understanding and progression of skills, applied to a breadth of contexts.
To provide pupils with a secure and positive sense of their own identity and enable them to make sense of their world and their place in it.
To develop pupils as rights-respecting citizens, teaching them respect for others and to value equality and diversity.
To expand their childhood experiences giving opportunities for deeper insight into our world and promoting aspiration for their futures.
To teach children the values, attitudes and skills they need as they grow up; ensuring they are equipped to keep themselves safe; to be mentally and physically healthy; to be life-long learners with ambitious futures.
To empower our pupils to be active citizens who can participate and make a difference in our school, to their community and our world.

In order to deliver these aims, our curriculum;

Has a clear and detailed curriculum map which sets out the learning objectives for each subject and ensures appropriate breadth and progression.
Has subject specific policies giving further detail for each curriculum area.
Highly values the contribution PSHE makes to a child’s development and future success.
Develops children’s own positive self-identity whilst teaching respect and understanding of others who are different from them.
Highly values the Arts and the enrichment this brings; providing ambitious learning opportunities which stretch our pupils.
Promotes the inclusion of physical activity and mindfulness into daily life and understanding of the benefits this provides.
Includes progressive units of learning about local heritage to promote a sense of pride and belonging in Birmingham.
Nurtures curiosity, exploration and discovery; promoting self-efficacy and giving opportunities for children to develop life skills.
Is underpinned by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Teaches about democracy, global goals and social enterprise and provides opportunities for pupils to be active global citizens.
Includes teaching about important and challenging issues; such as the holocaust, radicalisation and extremism and Black Lives Matter.
Is supported by enrichment opportunities; trips, visitors and resources to extend and enhance learning.
Is supplemented by assemblies and focus weeks/days and by collaborating with select organisations when these provide additional expertise or opportunity.
Responds to pupils’ needs, for example for SEN or EAL through appropriate differentiation and/or professional support.
Is organic and responsive – just as the world changes our curriculum content should not remain static. Though the principles and aims are constant, specific content will change as necessary.
Is relevant and purposeful to our pupils
Challenges and sets high expectations of our pupils.