Oldcastle Primary School’s Curriculum 

At Oldcastle Primary School, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring curriculum for our pupils. We aim to provide our pupils with an enriching curriculum that builds on their prior knowledge to aid progression, whilst ensuring that they are able to be happy, confident human-beings. 

Our curriculum is split into overarching concepts. They are continuously evaluated and reviewed by staff and changes made as appropriate to ensure that all pupils within the classroom can access the opportunities and experiences that the curriculum provides. 

Our curriculum concepts for 2021/22 are: 

Some examples of concepts taught within year groups are: 

• Year 1 are learning about Weathers and Landscapes within the Global Environment. They have been exploring how to care for living things and contrasting two environments across continents. 
• Year 5 have been investigating how to become a more sustainable community by exploring different types of energy sources and creating their own eco-house. 
• Year 6 explored discrimination and race within the Human Kind concept, through researching Martin Luther King and the Black Lives Matter movement. 
• Year 3 investigated four Welsh castles and discussed how these castles were pivotal in Welsh battles within history. 

Literacy, Language and Communication

Literacy, Language and Communication is taught through a Core Knowledge scheme of work in Reception to Year 4. The Core Knowledge scheme focuses on ensuring that our pupils have the basic knowledge of literacy in order to read and write to a high standard. The scheme of work covers all aspects of literacy, including spellings, grammar, punctuation and comprehension of reading. 

In Year 5 and 6, we currently use The Write Stuff to base our planning. The scheme enables teachers to support pupils to break down extended pieces of writing, focusing on the aspects of writing and creating engaging writing for a range of purposes. 

Whole class reading is completed across years 2 to 6 using a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Pupils are encouraged to read aloud, with partners and independently and are expected to answer a range of questions to deepen their understanding of the text. 

Writing is developed through our Areas of Learning and Experiences sessions and is linked with our concept. Pupils will write about aspects of their concept such as explanation texts about how wind turbines work, letters to their local MP and poetry about Welsh culture. 

Mathematics and Numeracy

We have worked extremely hard to create a robust and progressive mathematics curriculum for all of our pupils at Oldcastle. Mathematical concepts have been planned coherently across year groups, with progression at the heart of planning. Teachers plan lessons based on their pupils' prior knowledge and work towards mastery of new learning. Pupils are introduced to Stem Sentences, which support their learning by enabling them to talk about their mathematical understanding using advanced language. 

Welsh

The Welsh language plays an important role as part of the Literacy, Language and Communication AoLE. Oldcastle Primary School greatly values the Welsh language and promotes this as a part of everyday life. All classes integrate Welsh within their day, including commands and questions. Pupils take part in daily Helpwr Heddiw sessions, where they will reinforce, recap and learn new language patterns. Pupils are encouraged to take part in Welsh reading and writing as part of their curriculum activities. 

Assessments

We assess our pupils using the NFER (National Foundation for Educational Research) assessments in Reading and Maths. This data provides a baseline within the Autumn Term and allows teachers to plan lessons to ensure progression - teaching concepts that pupils are not secure with and planning lessons to build on pupils’ prior knowledge. NFER assessments take place in the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms.