The National Curriculum
The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the 'national curriculum', as well as relationships, sex and health education, and religious education.
The national curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.
Further information can be found at:
The national curriculum: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The National Curriculum | Parentkind
National Curriculum Assessments
Primary school pupils in England take part in the:
- Reception baseline assessment: within the first 6 weeks of entering reception
- Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Assessment: between April and June of the academic year in which they turn 5 (usually the reception year)
- Phonics screening check: in June of year 1
- Key stage 1 tests: optional, at the school’s discretion, at the end of year 2
- Multiplication tables check: in June of year 4
- Key stage 2 tests (sometimes referred to as SATs): in May of year 6
Early Years Curriculum
At Otterburn we follow the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage.
This states that:
- Every child is unique.
- Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
- Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults.
- Children develop and learn at different rates.
The EYFS sets out seven areas of learning and development which are all important and interconnected. There are three prime areas that are particularly important for learning and forming relationships. They build a foundation for children to thrive and provide the basis for learning in all areas.
These are the prime areas:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
We also support children in four specific areas, which help strengthen and develop the three prime areas, and ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm.
The specific areas are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
At Otterburn we believe that play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals, and solve problems. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play and learning that is guided by adults.
In planning and guiding what children learn, we consider the different rates at which children are developing and teach the children accordingly. We use the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning to guide our teaching:
- Playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
- Active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
- Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
More information about the EYFS can be found at: