The aim of our school curriculum is to enrich lives developing social, moral,
spiritual and cultural growth within our school family. We believe in lifelong
learning aiming to equip our children to live life today and for tomorrow
rooted in Christian values.
I will instruct you in the way you should go; I will
counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8

Intent
The curriculum at Great Massingham and Harpley CE Schools Federation is
designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of
all children. It provides opportunities for children to develop as independent,
confident and successful learners, who know how to make a positive
contribution to their community and the wider society. The curriculum has
been designed to raise attainment and accelerate achievement and foster our
Christian values.
Our curriculum design develops creativity and problem solving, responsibility
and resilience, as well as physical development, well-being and good mental
health. The curriculum at our schools has been planned to develop the whole
child and promote positive attitudes and a love of learning. Our curriculum
supports the children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development,
ensuring that children develop an understanding of British values and are well
prepared for life in modern Britain.

Implementation
The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National
Curriculum 2014 and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the
learning and developmental needs of the children in our Federation. A blocked
curriculum approach has been implemented at the school to ensure coverage
and progression in a number of curriculum areas. This enables cross curricular
links to be made without ‘shoe-horning’ theme-based-activities in regardless of
educational value – what are we learning NOT what are we doing. The KS2
themes are history and geography led with links, where appropriate, made to
Art, DT, music and writing.

In a school with vertically grouped mixed age classes we had to think very
creatively about how to arrange themes. In YR and KS1 we have a three-year
cycle and a four-year cycle in KS2. This means that in history it is not possible
to teach in a chronological sequence so history themes have been arranged to
build on previous teaching. They are also planned to enable children to make
links between subjects.
The development of chronological understanding is carefully managed through
the introduction of each theme and its place in time. The KS2 class has a
timeline with themes taught in both key stages marked to support the children
in being able to remember and know more.
Learning is enquiry based, fostering each child’s curiosity and interest and
enabling the achievement of depth in knowledge and skills
progression. Opportunities for a child initiated theme have been incorporated
into the plan to allow children to use and apply skills previously learned. This is
intended as an opportunity for children to negotiate the subject to be studied,
be involved in planning the ‘shape’ of the programme of study and to have
ownership of their learning. This will also be used by staff to consolidate any
knowledge and skills which require revisiting.
Alongside the teaching of National Curriculum content, our curriculum is
planned to provide children with memorable experiences as well as diverse,
rich opportunities from which they can learn and develop a range of skills.
These include local community visits and visitors, residential visits and many
others.
The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an
opportunity for active learning for all our children. The school grounds are
used to enrich different curriculum areas. All learners have access to good
quality educational experiences beyond the classroom walls to ensure learning
outside the classroom opportunities are integrated into the curriculum.
Music and performance have a high profile in the school and the school has
specialist music teachers, with each KS2 child receiving a weekly music lesson
delivered by a subject specialist. Opportunities for performances are planned
for and provided both within the school and beyond it.
Great Massingham and Harpley CE Schools Federation also makes full use of
the skills of a wide range of professionals. Throughout their time at the
Federation, children work with specialist coaches for music and sport.

A varied timetable for extra-curricular activities is offered by the schools, with
clubs that support the core curriculum offer, whilst also extending the range of
children’s experiences.
The Federation takes pride in providing an inclusive environment, where
learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and make
good progress in their learning and personal development.  Those who are
most able are challenged and supported through being offered tasks which
provide opportunities for challenge and extension; those who need more help
are encouraged and given targeted support to embed learning, to learn in a
style that best suits their individual needs and to develop the skills they need
to be successful. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. 
Subject leaders play an important part in the success of the curriculum by
leading a programme of monitoring, evaluation and review and the celebration
of good practice. All subject leaders have been given training and opportunities
are planned to keep developing their own subject knowledge, skills and
understanding, so they can support curriculum development and their
colleagues throughout the school. Subject leaders understand that the current
curriculum plan has been designed so that their ongoing contributions see it
evolve and improve further.

Impact
Enjoyment of learning promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour.
Children feel safe to try new things. High quality learning opportunities
enriching national curriculum content enhance learning and provide
opportunities for personal development.
The curriculum provides opportunities to share learning with each other,
parents and carers through school-based celebration assemblies, writing
competitions, performances, gallery sessions, cluster events and workshops,
and Federation days.
At our schools the needs of individual and small groups of children are met
within the environment of high quality teaching, supported by targeted,
proven interventions where appropriate. In this way it can be seen to impact in
a very positive way on children’s outcomes.

The heart of our curriculum is to develop independence, a life-long love of
learning and embed values for life to equip children to be future citizens.