Netherton Moss Curriculum Drivers

At Netherton Moss, we work tirelessly to ensure that our children receive a School Curriculum that is designed to broaden their horizons and extend the boundaries of their lives. With this in mind, we work to prioritise the opportunities we want our children to have during their time with us, so that by the time they leave they have the greatest number of choices, options and directions open to them. Below is a summary of the key factors which inform the choices we make and drive our aspirations for them. We use these 'drivers' to underpin the direction and development of all areas of school life and to ensure our curriculum is enriched and personalised in order to meet the needs, interests and ambitions of our children and their families.

Communication

It is the primary aim of our curriculum, that our children develop the skills necessary to communicate their thoughts, ideas and feelings successfully in a wide range of different forms. Children need to know how to speak and listen with respect in a variety of different situations. They need the ability to read well and read widely as this broadens horizons, develops imagination and provides a rich vocabulary through which to construct knowledge and understand the world. Being able to write clearly, comfortably and where necessary concisely in many different forms remains a key skill and our curriculum exploits every opportunity to develop this ability.

Community

We believe that our curriculum will enable the children to develop the emotional understanding necessary in order to experience positive relationships and to develop a sense of justice and an ability to empathise that ensures a respect of themselves and each other. We believe in the power of the school community to change and enhance lives.

Resilience

Our children will develop the emotional and physical security needed to become resilient individuals who are able to take risks and deal with different challenges across the curriculum and in the wider world by thinking positively and having the confidence to ‘have a go’. They will develop the life skills necessary to work with growing independence and perseverance to become resourceful problem-solvers able to nurture aspirations for the future.

Creativity

In our school, children will be engaged by a curriculum rich learning opportunities which excite the imagination, advancing their knowledge and understanding through a wide range of creative, physical and expressive activities that take account of their diverse starting points and nurture their skills and talents while broadening their horizons and enriching their experiences of life.

Adventure

We recognise the responsibility we have for the physical development and well-being of our children. We believe that a curriculum rich in sport and physical activity along with participation in positive competition develops confidence and resilience. We want our children to know that life exists outside the virtual and digital world and we will allow them to manage real risks by having fun and experiencing a little danger!

Health

It is important to us that all members of our school community are healthy both physically and mentally. Throughout life, our children will face many difficult challenges. We will exploit every opportunity through our curriculum to help the children to develop the physical and mental strength to be successful and happy.

With these priorities in mind, staff plan topics that engage their pupils. These topics may last a whole term or even just a few weeks or days. Staff may change the learning that is taking place, if, for example, a local or world event occurs that sparks an interest with the pupils. Intentionally, topics are not over-planned so that there is time to explore the interests of the children or even the staff themselves. We make best use of the outdoors and the local and wider environment. There are visits out of school and visitors coming in o school, that extend and enrich teaching and learning opportunities for all. Children are given opportunities to represent the school in the local community and further afield through events that take in many aspects of the curriculum.