About Our Curriculum

Curriculum Subjects

The National Curriculum is split into three key stages;

  • FOUNDATION STAGE – Reception year
  • KEY STAGE 1 – Years 1 and 2
  • KEY STAGE 2- Years 3 to 6

Barnabas Oley Primary School follows the National Curriculum core subjects in English, Mathematics, Science and the foundation subjects of Art, Geography, History, Computing, Music, PE, and Design Technology. PSHE (Personal, Social and Health and Citizenship Education) is also included in the curriculum. In addition, RE is an important part of the curriculum and given appropriate emphasis for a church school, and we follow the Cambridgeshire Agreed Syllabus.

We aim to foster a lifelong love of learning, through adopting a highly practical and cross-curricular approach to learning. Our creative curriculum aims to deliver a twenty-first century education that will equip our children with the skills required to be an independent and responsible citizen. The curriculum is the means by which the school achieves its objective of educating children in the knowledge, skills and understanding that they need in order to lead fulfilling lives.

Where possible and relevant, literacy, geography, history, art and science are embedded within the topic framework. We use Abacus maths scheme as the core scheme for the teaching of mathematics and where possible link mathematical skills into the topical content studied each term. We use the Letters and Sounds phonics scheme for our Early Years and KS1 pupils.

We try to capitalise on as many first hand experiences as possible and regularly invite visitors into school to enhance the children’s experiences. We also make careful choices regarding trips and visits made away from the school site. Such activities may be used a topic launch activity or for consolidation/follow up to prior learning.

To learn more about the curriculum at Barnabas Oley CofE Primary School, you should contact your child's teacher, subject leader or Mrs Downes. Additionally, you can find the National Curriculum Programmes of Study at :

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-primary-curriculum

Curriculum Intent


Curriculum Intent

School Topics

We have developed a rolling programme of whole school topics to encourage cross-curricular learning whilst offering stimulating and child interest based themes. 

Part of this cross-curricular approach includes the use of activity weeks. These include Book Week, Science Week, Healthy Week and Creative Week when the usual curriculum is suspended to allow particular focus on these areas.

Where possible, first hand experiences are arranged to stimulate enquiry and learning and visits and visitors are arranged to further enhance their experience and understanding. Please see our Class pages and the Special Events Photo Gallery for the latest information on what pupils have been up to.

Current Term Topics

See the Topic Planning Cycle below for further details.

Autumn 2023

Food and Farming

Spring 2024

Communication

Summer 2024

Olympics 2024, Paris