We are very excited as we all begin our journey with the new Curriculum for Wales.
The following curriculum summary has been co-published by the Headteacher and the Governing Body.
Background
Our school vision was created in consultation with stakeholders. Our school vision was launched in 2021 and underpins all areas of school life. The six key values that we believe being a part of Llanharan Primary School is all about are summarised in these six short phrases:
Our new curriculum enables us to realise our vision. As part of the curriculum design:
- Our school leaders and teachers undertook reading and research and attended professional learning on curriculum design.
- Our whole staff team agreed key features of our school context, pupils and community to inform the approaches and experiences best suited for the needs of all learners at our school and considering the four purposes.
- Through surveys, all governors, staff, parents and pupils were asked to consider what all pupils should know and be able to do, and which values they should develop during their time at the school. Feedback from these surveys fed into the curriculum design process.
- All staff worked together to identify the required changes to our current cultures, provision and practices.
- Teachers have worked with staff from cluster schools to support one another in planning our curriculum, ensuring progression along the 3-16 continuum.
Meeting the required elements of the Curriculum for Wales
Our new school curriculum is suitable for all learners and will enable them to realise the four purposes. Having been designed by school staff, in consultation with other stakeholders, it takes account of and responds to the unique opportunities and challenges that present themselves to individuals and groups of learners in Llanharan Primary School. Our school curriculum is broad and balanced and includes learning opportunities within and across all of the Areas of learning and experience. Pupils have a regular input into this process. The curriculum at Llanharan encompasses the concepts in all of the statements of what matters and provides appropriate progression in accord with the principles of progression. It also aligns to the mandatory requirements of teaching Welsh and English. The mandatory elements of Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) and the cross curricular skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence are embedded throughout the curriculum. The mandatory element of Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) requires further design and development following the publication of the agreed syllabus.
Progression in learning and assessment
We believe that progression and assessment is fundamental to ensuring we achieve our school vision. Our school curriculum is underpinned by the mandatory principles of progression which describe what it means for learners to progress and the capacities and behaviours our staff will seek to support, regardless of a learners’ stage of development. Our assessment arrangements are informed by these principles of progression. We use a variety of evidence informed assessment strategies to enable each individual learner to make progress at an appropriate pace. Our processes identify learners who require further support or challenge and provide rich qualitative intelligence for us to inform next steps in learning for individuals and groups of learners. Our assessment arrangements ensure active engagement between learners and teachers and is based on ongoing reflection on where a learner is, what their next steps are and what is required to support them in achieving these.
Ongoing review and development
Our school curriculum will be kept under regular review to ensure that it is meeting the needs of our learners and our school vision. Throughout the year there will be a variety of self-evaluation activities to inform our understanding of the effectiveness of our curriculum and the required revision. We will consult with the school community (including parents), across the cluster and in partnership with governors, the regional consortia and the local authority to further develop a shared understanding of progression and to ensure a high-quality 3-16 continuum of learning for all.
Further information
Should you require any further detail on the new curriculum, please feel free to contact Mr Hywel Griffiths, Deputy Headteacher.
The survey that we created to allow you to have an input into our new curriculum will remain live, and you can add to it at any time. Please click here.
For our explanation video to the new Curriclulum, please click here.