Curriculum

The English curriculum at Oakfield is designed to instil in our pupils a life-long love of reading and an ability to write fluently, confidently, enthusiastically and with individual flair. Carefully planned and progressive teaching of phonics ensures that our pupils develop the skills required to read fluently, accurately and with secure understanding, across a variety of genres and a wide range of contexts across the curriculum. Our aim is to enable our pupils to develop a varied and rich vocabulary alongside extensive knowledge through their reading of carefully selected, quality texts. This in turn supports our pupils to write organised, well-structured pieces using a range of techniques for a variety of purposes across all subjects.

The sequencing of the English curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within English and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more.

English Overview

The Oakfield maths curriculum is designed to equip pupils with a broad range of skills in using and applying mathematics, enabling them to understand important concepts and make connections. Our curriculum is underpinned by the acquisition of fluent knowledge and recall of number facts and the number system, along with confidence in performing accurate written and mental calculations and mathematical techniques. Pupils learn how to think independently and show initiative in a wide range of problem solving and reasoning contexts. They are encouraged to investigate and learn from mistakes, demonstrating perseverance and determination to succeed.

The sequencing of the maths curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within maths and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more.

Maths Overview

The science curriculum at Oakfield has been designed to develop in our children a secure understanding of the world around them, of scientific processes and also of the uses and implications of science both today and for the future.
Scientific enquiry skills are embedded in all areas of science study and pupils are encouraged to think independently, ask questions and solve challenging problems. They develop a range of practical skills in a variety of contexts, including observation and the planning and carrying out of investigations. Pupils learn how to communicate their knowledge and understanding through written and verbal explanations.

The sequencing of the science curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within science and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more. Science is taught throughout the year and has particular focus in the spring term, when it is closely linked to the texts selected for the school’s book-led curriculum.

Science Overview  

The art curriculum at Oakfield is designed to inspire in our pupils a passion and enthusiasm for creative expression. Through the study of artists and designers, pupils develop the ability to reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and the work of others.
Pupils are given opportunities to develop their skills using a wide range of media and materials. They learn how to draw confidently from memory, imagination and observation and develop the ability to use line, shape, pattern, colour, texture and form to express themselves and communicate their ideas. They are given opportunities to explore, deconstruct and innovate, developing their own creativity and the ability to select and use materials, processes and techniques to good effect.

The sequencing of the art curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within art and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more.

Art Overview

At Enquire Learning Trust, we believe that it is vital for all our pupils to learn from and about Computing and Technology, so that they can understand the world around them. Through teaching our computing curriculum, we aim to equip our children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. It is our intention to enable children to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information as well as having the skills to manipulate, develop and interpret different forms of technology in an ever-changing world.

In such a fast-moving curriculum, we are constantly looking at new ways of delivering relevant and exciting activities, while still delivering the fundamental skills needed for computing. Using technology safely and responsibly is a main priority and ensuring all pupils are able to use the internet and equipment appropriately is of paramount importance. We encourage our pupils to make links across the curriculum, the world and our local community, to reflect on their own experiences, which are designed in our curriculum, allowing horizontal and vertical links with previous year groups.

The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work, and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. 

Our ambitious computing curriculum is now structured in 3 areas that allow all pupils from EY to year 6 to progress through different categories of knowledge.

Each area of the curriculum gives pupils time to practice and rehearse the knowledge needed to be proficient at computing and be ready for the next age of learning. 

The Design and Technology curriculum at Oakfield has been shaped to encourage pupils to ask questions, engage in research and work innovatively and creatively. Pupils learn how to use tools, equipment and materials effectively and efficiently, designing products with care and attention to detail whilst maintaining safe working standards. Design opportunities enable pupils to take creative but well-managed risks, leading to the production of innovative ideas and prototypes.

The sequencing of the design curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections within design and technology and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more, igniting a passion and enthusiasm for the subject.

Design Technology Overview

The geography curriculum at Oakfield is designed to develop in our pupils a sense of place, an understanding of their surroundings and an appreciation and understanding of diverse physical and human features around the world. We seek to inspire in them a curiosity to find out more about the world and to develop their understanding of their role as world citizens. Over the course of the primary phase, pupils acquire knowledge about people and places alongside a secure understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected, and how much physical and human environments are interrelated.

The sequencing of the geography curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within geography and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more. Geography is taught throughout the year and has particular focus in the summer term, when it is closely linked to the texts selected for the school’s book-led curriculum

Geography Overview

The history curriculum at Oakfield has been shaped to inspire our children to want to know more about the past and how it has shaped the world today. Our teaching ensures that pupils have a secure knowledge and understanding of significant people, events, and contexts from a range of historical periods and of historical concepts and processes. Oakfield pupils learn how to think critically about history, use historical evidence to explain and support their thinking and ask questions to deepen their understanding. The content of our history curriculum has been selected to reflect the school’s context. It gives pupils the opportunity to learn about significant people and events in a local, British and world context and supports an increase in cultural capital.

The sequencing of the history curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within history and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more. History is taught throughout the year and has particular focus in the autumn term, when it is closely linked to the texts selected for the school’s book-led curriculum.

History Overview

The Modern Foreign Languages curriculum at Oakfield is designed to foster in our pupils a love of language learning and a curiosity about other countries and cultures. Pupils learn how to speak Spanish confidently, with good intonation and pronunciation and they also develop fluency in reading. Pupils are given opportunities to develop language learning skills which can be applied to further language learning in the future.

MFL Overview

The music curriculum at Oakfield aims to instil in our pupils a love of music, an appreciation of different musical traditions and genres, and a passion for involvement in a wide range of musical activities. Oakfield pupils develop musical knowledge, understanding and technical expertise which in turn enables them to create original, imaginative and fluent composing and performance work. They are able to use musical terminology effectively, accurately and appropriately to give precise written and verbal explanations.

The sequencing of the music curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within music and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more.

Music Overview 

The Physical Education curriculum at Oakfield is designed to inspire in our pupils a desire to succeed and excel in a wide range of physical activity and competitive sport, leading to high levels of physical fitness and long term engagement. Pupils are encouraged to practise and hone a wide variety of skills, which can be applied to different activities and situations, both individually and as part of a team. The importance of leading a healthy lifestyle underpins our curriculum; pupils learn the about need to eat sensibly and avoid smoking, drugs and alcohol. There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their ability to take the initiative and become young leaders; we encourage them to demonstrate resilience, perseverance and a positive growth mindset.

The sequencing of the Physical Education curriculum has been carefully planned to allow pupils to build on prior learning and make connections both within Physical Education and across other subjects, ensuring that pupils know more and remember more.

PE Overview

PSHE

At Oakfield, PSHE learning is driven by a desire to equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding to be healthy, safe and productive members of society. We use the 'Jigsaw' PSHE curriculum across all key stages and every pupil engages in a weekly lesson, focusing on a different theme each half term.

PSHE Curriculum

PSHE

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is about the emotional, social and cultural development of pupils, and involves learning about relationships, sexual health, sexuality, healthy lifestyles, diversity and personal identity. RSE involves a combination of sharing information, and exploring issues and values. RSE is NOT about the promotion of sexual activity.

RSE is taught within the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum. Biological aspects of RSE are taught within the science curriculum, and other aspects are included in religious education (RE).

Relationships education focuses on teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships including:

• Families and people who care for me
• Caring friendships
• Respectful relationships
• Online relationships
• Being safe

These areas of learning are taught within the context of family life taking care to ensure that there is no stigmatisation of children based on their home circumstances (families can include single parent families, LGBT parents, families headed by grandparents, adoptive parents, foster parents/carers amongst other structures) along with reflecting sensitively that some children may have a different structure of support around them (for example: looked after children or young carers).

Relationships and Sex Education Documents

The Religious Education curriculum at Oakfield equips our pupils with a wide knowledge and deep understanding across a range of religions and beliefs. Pupils find out about the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life in different religions and they are encouraged to ask significant and reflective questions related to the nature, truth and value of religion. Pupils reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences and develop tolerance and respect for others.

The Religious Education curriculum follows the Tameside Agreed Syllabus and Discovery RE scheme.

RE Overview