Whitestone Infant School Curriculum Intent Statement
The aim at Whitestone Infant School is to provide opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. As a thriving community school, our motto ‘Hand in Hand we Learn’ and our ‘High 5 Values’ embody the ethos of our school and are central to the curriculum. We ensure that all of our pupils respect each other and have respect for people of all faiths, race and gender. Everyone has the right to be treated with respect and dignity. This is exemplified in our ‘Whitestone Welcomes Everyone’ work. There is a high focus on developing children’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural understanding. Whitestone Infant School ensures that children are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
At Whitestone Infant School, we endeavour to deliver excellent early language and reading teaching in the Early Years and Key Stage 1, including age-appropriate phonics and essential next steps in reading. We recognise that every child has the right to learn to read, as this skill unlocks learning in all other subjects.
Whitestone Infant School provides a highly inclusive environment where learners enjoy their education. Pupils at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged, by being encouraged to expand their skills and knowledge through varied curriculum opportunities. Those who find learning more difficult are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills in order to support them to develop at their own pace and to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.
The focus on curriculum development is always carefully designed to ensure coverage and progression. Whitestone Infant School provides pupils with memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills. A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, provide a purpose and relevance for learning and ultimately to help every pupil to find strengths and interests.
PE & school sport and physical development have a very high profile so pupils at Whitestone Infant School are introduced to a wide variety of activities. Our focus is on the development of early skills and movement, ensuring all children have opportunities to improve their physical literacy and baseline fitness levels. Traditional sports are complimented with opportunities to take part in our daily wellie walks, skipping sessions (leading to awards) and other fitness activities. Giving sport a focus has engaged many children including children with SEN. It has also increased confidence in pupils and been used to teach life skills such as teamwork, determination, perseverance and acceptance of winning/losing.
The school also excels in the arts by providing quality opportunities for students to nurture their early skills and to share their creative talents. Our display projects such as the ‘Whitestone Gallery’ & ‘3D Dragons’ and ‘Printing Progression’ celebrate artistic achievement.
Whitestone Infant School provides an amazing menu of extended school provision, whilst wrap around care is provided on site by an independent provider. To promote physical health and wellbeing, as well as increasing the love and curiosity of topics, a wide variety of clubs both after school hours and during lunch times are offered. These include: Fundamentals, tag rugby, rhythmic gymnastics, archery, mini-golf, handball, football, dodgeball, Minecraft, Science, Maths, Sign language and Book Club on our Library Bus.
Subject leaders play an important part in the success of the curriculum by leading a regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review. The innovative practice across Whitestone Infant School provides a strong foundation and allows opportunities for children to work in teams and develop social skills both indoors and out. The curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and small groups of children can be 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 pupil outcomes. Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour. Children feel safe to try new things.