Our Curriculum
At Ferryhill Station Primary School, we intend to provide a curriculum that, while being true to the National Curriculum revision of 2014, is relevant to our children and bespoke to meet their needs. We know our children and our area very well, so we understand what they need.
Off Curriculum Weeks
Here at Ferryhill Station Primary, we also believe that it is important to respond to major events and current issues. In order to address this, we allow a maximum of four weeks every year where our curriculum varies from our planning. Despite this variance, all activities are carefully planned to meet school priorities and to enhance key learning. For example, we have linked World Book Day with Science Week and celebrated significant events such as International Women's Day and Black History Month. We feel that this element of our work is very important to help children to understand their place in the world around them and how their choices can influence change.
How are the National Curriculum subject areas taught at Ferryhill Station Primary?
This table provides a very brief glimpse of some of the ideas and resources behind our curriculum development. For more detailed information, please look at the documentation attached at the side of this page.
| Subject | How it's taught |
| Writing |
Daily writing lessons, linked to quality literature and possibly using a stimulus such as ‘Literacy Shed’ video clips . A balance of writing genre is planned throughout the year and National Curriculum programmes of study are referenced for spelling and grammar work, as well as composition and transcription. Cross curricular writing is linked to topic work and planned into the curriculum as often as possible. Handwriting: Teachers use Letterjoin resources and the school follows the Letterjoin handwriting policy. Forms and joins are expressly taught and then practised, often using the spelling patterns children are working on. Spelling: Rules and patterns are taught with reference to National Curriculum Expectations using Read Write Inc. Spelling. Subject specific vocabulary is emphasised through other subjects and the correct spelling of these words is taught. |
| Reading and Phonics |
Phonics - We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme and is taught from Reception age onwards. These are daily lessons and teach all phonic sounds that include reading and writing activities. Find out more about this scheme here. FFT Reading Comprehension – using whole novels to progress skills in reading on a daily basis. This programme runs from Year 2 to Year 6 and follows on from the Read Write Inc. phonics programme. KS2 extra reading – Accelerated Reader is completed for half an hour every day. |
| Maths | At Ferryhill Station Primary we use the mastery model of teaching maths. We follow White Rose small steps planning. Each class has a wide range of concrete resources to support this style of learning, where children use concrete, pictorial and then abstract approaches to maths. Children will work on their fluency within each concept, will develop reasoning skills around their maths and will solve problems. |
| Geography, History, Art / Design, Design Technology and Science | In school, we use the Focus Learning Challenge curriculum to support these areas of learning. This allows children to become engrossed in questions about topic areas, and they find answers and develop knowledge through a wide range of learning experiences. |
| IT and Computing | In Ludworth we have a good quality range of IT equipment to support children's learning in this area. To ensure computing knowledge and skills are progressive throughout the school, teachers plan using Purple Mash schemes of work and resources. Some learning in this area is planned through other curriculum lessons so that children can apply their computing knowledge purposefully. |
| PE | Teachers follow the core tasks and learning is carefully sequenced around this for maximum learning opportunities and development of knowledge and skills. PE is further supplemented through engagement with specialist coaches and sports providers. |
| RE | This follows the Durham Agreed Syllabus.
Our RE curriculum develops children’s knowledge and understanding of Christianity and of other principal religions. Children develop their knowledge and understanding of religion through the four RE concepts:
Children are encouraged to think critically by using reason to analyse, evaluate and give opinions. |
| Music | All children at certain points in their school career have access to some professional music tuition using the Durham Music Service. Teachers use a resource called Charanga to ensure that learning in music is progressive, practical and correctly pitched in line with the expectations of the National Curriculum. |
| French | Key Stage 2 children access lessons in French. This learning is supported using the National Curriculum expectations and a scheme written by Durham Local Authority which ensures that learning is progressive. |
| PSHCE including Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education |
Ferryhill Station Primary uses a scheme called Kapow, and this breaks down the curriculum into 6 main areas. These are taught each year in school.
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