Curriculum

More information linked to the curriculum can be found on the class pages.

English

Phonics

At SS Simon and Jude’s we follow the Read, Write Inc Phonics Programme from Nursery to Year 2 and for children who need additional support within phonics. It is a DfE validated Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme with a whole school approach to teaching early reading and writing, designed to ensure progress for every child, in every primary school. Integrated comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and handwriting means that Read Write Inc. is more than just a phonics programme and helps develop key literacy skills for every child.

English 

At SS Simon and Jude’s we follow the Read, Write Inc Literacy and Language Programme from Year 2 to Year 6. The aim of the programme is to develop children’s comprehension, writing and spoken language. This programme effectively builds upon the Read Write Inc Phonics Programme. As part of the English lesson, the children will read a range of different texts which engage all children. Through the special ‘three reads’ approach the children gain a deep understanding of what they read as well as creating articulate speakers where children are able to justify their answers and learn how to debate.

Building on the Literacy and Language Programme, children are exposed to a range of different texts. They apply their knowledge of different text types to write creatively as well as developing their knowledge of how to edit writing.

Mathematics

Learning in maths is enhanced by the use of the concrete, pictorial and abstract approach, with children being allowed to develop and embed skills through fluency tasks and then by using and applying these skills through practical and purposeful problem solving and reasoning activities. School follows the ‘Power Maths’ scheme which is adapted to suit the needs of the children.

Religious Education

RE is an essential and incredibly important part of the curriculum at SS Simon and Jude and is taught as a discrete subject once a week. Our curriculum covers a range of faiths with a Christian basis. We follow the Understanding Christianity scheme alongside the Discovery RE scheme. In Nursery and Reception child led learning allows the children to explore artefacts related to their half term topic, encouraging the children to ask questions and share stories. Across KS1 and KS2, a yearly overview ensures children cover a wide variety of topics and themes which are in turn linked to our Christian values. Lessons throughout school are planned to be engaging and allow the children to openly share their faith.

Foundation Subjects

Here at SS Simon and Jude’s we provide a creative curriculum based around the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) which encompasses Science, History, Geography, Art, Technology, Society and International. It is a comprehensive curriculum with a clear process of learning and with specific learning goals for every subject, for personal learning and for International Mindedness. School fundamentally believes that children will be better equipped for life beyond school if they are more globally aware. We define international mindedness as ‘To have an awareness of ourselves and others.’ SS Simon and Jude was also the first state school worldwide to achieve Mastering Level within the International Primary Curriculum.

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)

PSHE helps to give children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling any of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.

At SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School we follow Jigsaw, which offers a comprehensive programme for primary PSHE including statutory relationships and health education, giving children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others. There is also a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. PHSE lessons also include mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

Computing

At SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School, we follow Purple Mash Computing curriculum whereby we aim to develop children’s computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. The core of our computing curriculum is:

• Computer Science: This teaches children design, logical reasoning, problem solving and resilience which are all valuable skills hat can be used beyond the classroom.
• Digital Literacy: The essential component of digital literacy is the deep learning of six core skills i.e. collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, citizenship, character and communication.
• Information Technology: Through this we teach children how to navigate around a variety of devices, type, save work, find and move files. Children will also understand how to use the internet and the web, use search engines, understand networks and generally be independent users of a range of technologies. |

Children also focus on how to stay safe online as part of our E-safety teaching and through Jigsaw where links to Educated for a Connected World are made explicit.

Music

We follow the Sparkyard music scheme at SSSJ. Children develop their musicianship through singing, listening, composing and performing/instrumental performance. Through these different aspects children expand their musical horizons as well as gaining a deeper understanding of music and the impact it can have on others.

Within KS2, music is also delivered by Bolton Music Service. All classes from year 3 to year 6 have at least a 30 minute music lesson per week taught by a music specialist. Each session focuses on a set of skills which has been divided into ‘Acting as a musician’ and ‘Thinking as a musician’, which is then subdivided again.

Acting as a musician

• Singing, Playing and Performing: Singing and playing a range of tuned and untuned percussion instruments are at the heart of the music curriculum and children have regular opportunities to perform musically (both formally e.g. a class performance for parents and informally e.g. for their peers within a lesson)
• Exploring and Composing: Children are given opportunities to be creative and imaginative. They compose and make choices about their own music. Composition and improvisation activities allow the children to use and develop the skills they have been taught and also encourage collaborative work.

Thinking as a musician

• Transcribing: As well as learning by ear children learn to use both invented symbols (graphic notation) and standard musical notation when singing, playing and composing.
• Describing: Children have regular opportunities for listening and responding to music and children then use this to support their composing and performing.

Modern Foreign Languages

At SS Simon and Jude’s all pupils in KS2 are learning French. School uses the Rigolo French Programme and through this programme the children follow the amazing adventures of Jake, Polly and Boff as they discover France through lively interactions and colourful stories.

Physical Education

We believe that sport and PE are extremely important to the physical health and emotional wellbeing of our children. We are dedicated to ensuring our children become more active and engaged in sport and we do this through a fun, varied and competitive PE curriculum and extracurricular sporting activities.