The Pioneer Academy Curriculum Statement

Intent

The curriculum in TPA schools is designed to inspire and motivate children.  Our aim is for every child to experience ‘an extraordinary school day’ every day.   We place children at the heart of the learning process through a bespoke ‘Teaching and Learning Model.’ The Model, which is rooted firmly in research and analysis of effective learning and teaching, translates the Trust’s Expectations into classroom practice. This Model has been developed and embedded to provide consistency and continuity for all children. 

We use the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) as a framework for learning. IPC provides a clear, thematic approach which ensures coverage of the National Curriculum.  The thematic approach links well with our intent to make all learning exciting, active and meaningful for all our children.  Learning with IPC also includes an international dimension, helping children to connect their learning to where they are living now, as well as looking at learning from the perspective of people in other countries.

The Pioneer Academy is committed to the highest quality teaching across the whole curriculum and promotes the use of specialist teachers to facilitate this.  We currently have specialist teachers for PE,  Music, R.E. and MfL teaching across our school.

Implementation

The IPC is used from Year 1 to Year 6 as the core framework for learning in the majority of subjects.  In EYFS we have developed our own curriculum planning based upon continuous provision, and a transition curriculum which links with our IPC planning. 

The White Rose Mathematics scheme, supplemented by additional resources, is used for teaching and learning in Mathematics.  This was selected for it’s accessibility and strong approach to mastery.

Little Wandle Phonics is used across the trust and has been selected for the level of structure and resourcing available.

Our teaching and learning model is designed and implemented in such a way that it builds on prior knowledge and skills and lays the foundation for future learning. Lessons are designed to be engaging and challenging with learners actively involved.

Our curriculum planning has been designed so that subjects are taught independently and interdependently and supplemented by a wide range of opportunities and enrichment activities which allow for cross curricular learning. This enables learners to see the ‘Big Picture’ of their learning and to make connections both through and across different subjects.

Progression Maps for each subject identify the knowledge, skills, understanding and vocabulary that pupils are expected to master each year in each subject and unit of learning.   These have been used to develop ‘Pacer’ documents for each unit of learning which identify the learning sequence through key learning questions. The pacer documents ensure the national curriculum and our own bespoke learning questions are organised and taught in a progressive order so knowledge, skills and understanding are built upon year on year.  Key learning is linked in each unit through knowledge organisers.

Subject leaders work in partnership across the schools and within a core framework to ensure consistency and continued development of each subject.

Through subject forums subject leaders across the Academy share planning, practice and resources, building and refining a central subject bank which is accessed by all teachers.  This bank is used to drive consistency and reduce workload for our teachers and secure high quality teaching and learning in every subject.

Impact

We review the impact of our curriculum continuously in a variety of different ways. We monitor how effectively our curriculum and enrichment provision provides opportunities for each unique pupil to reach their full potential.

We look at the quality and breadth of work seen in learner’s books, online and in the learning environment, pupil voice discussions, outcomes of assessments and quality of teaching and learning through learning walks. All of these tools help us assess the consistency, impact and relevance of our curriculum.