Our Curriculum

‘They will soar on Wings like Eagles’  Isaiah 40:19

Values:  ‘To be AWEsome – Adventurous, Wise and Encouraging’.

Context:

We are a happy inclusive school, set in the historic Jericho area of central Oxford . With Oxford’s world renowned institutions on our doorstep and surrounded by hidden local treasures such as the canal and Port Meadow, we take advantage of our unique surroundings to provide opportunities that can’t be rivalled.  With families visiting from across the globe to work and study in Oxford and over 30 languages, we bring a unique international perspective to all we do. Our children really are citizens of the world!

Aspirations:

As well as delivering a knowledge rich curriculum with strong outcomes for all children, we cultivate a passion for learning, inspire curiosity and builds self confidence and an adventurous spirit. Our aim is for all our children to be the best they can be and to ‘soar on wings like eagles’. Our values of Adventure, Wisdom and Encouragement underpin all aspects of learning as we prepare the children for secondary school and the wider world.

All children access their full curriculum entitlement with appropriate support and challenge. Teaching is dynamic and responsive with continuous adaption to meet need. We draw on the work on The National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE). We are currently working towards our NACE Challenge Award to further develop the challenge and stretch we offer. 

Curriculum Design:

Our curriculum is ambitious and goes beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum. We have adopted the Cornerstones Curriculum 22 – a broad and balanced, knowledge-rich curriculum – which we deliver through exciting projects that build on prior learning and enable key knowledge and concepts to be rigorously reinforced. Under umbrella themes, such as ‘Frozen Kingdoms’ and ‘Emperors and Empires’, there are subject-specific projects that cover science, history, geography, art and design and technology. The remaining foundation subjects are taught discretely using carefully constructed curriculums created by experts. 

Maths is delivered through the White Rose Maths scheme, with supporting materials taken from quality enrichment and extension programmes. Our new English curriculum is built around clear, progressive programmes of study with a carefully selected range of high quality texts supporting each unit of work. For phonics and early reading we follow the Little Wandle, Letters and Sounds programme.

Our curriculum is further strengthen by our teaching and learning framework which is underpinned by the foundations of best practice. Like other schools we draw on the work of Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, but also more specifically draw on the latest research from the Education Endowment Foundation, The Bell Foundation and The National Association for Able Children in Education. The above research is thoughtfully summarised in our teaching and learning framework often referred to as ‘The St. Barnabas Top Ten’ approaches.

Please click on the subjects below to find out more about our curriculum:

 

English	Maths	Science	Computing
Art & Design	Design & Technology	Geography	History
Music	Languages	Phonics	Physical Education
PSHE	Religious Education	RSE