Primary Curriculum Overview
At Byron College we believe in creating a stimulating environment which allows all our students to learn in a way that motivates and interests them through inspirational learning activities and high-quality teaching.
Our creative curriculum at Byron revolves around the Cornerstones Curriculum. The Cornerstones Curriculum is a creative and thematic approach to learning that is mapped to the new Primary National Curriculum to ensure comprehensive coverage of English national expectations. Our curriculum is delivered through Imaginative Learning Projects (ILPs) which provide a rich menu of exciting and motivating learning activities that make creative links between all aspects of our students’ learning.
We believe students learn better when they are encouraged to use their imagination and apply their learning to engaging contexts. Our curriculum provides lots of learning challenges throughout the academic year that will require students to solve problems, apply themselves creatively and express their knowledge and understanding effectively across the curriculum.
Cornerstones provides a rigorous essential skills framework that outlines the end of year expectations in all subjects. It includes a range of knowledge rich cross-curricular projects covering several subject areas with a focus on the development and progression of subject specific knowledge and skills in areas such as Science, History, Geography and Art and Design
How it works
Students will progress through four distinct stages of learning – Engage, Develop, Innovate and Express.
At the “Εngage” stage, students:
- Gain memorable first-hand experiences, such as going on a visit or inviting a special visitor to school.
- Enjoy ‘WOW’ experiences.
- Get an exciting introduction to a topic or theme.
- Begin researching and setting enquiry questions.Get lots of opportunities to make observations.
- Develop spoken language skills.
- Take part in sensory activities.
- Have lots of fun to fully ‘engage’ with their new topic.
At the “Develop” stage, students:
- Improve their knowledge and understanding of the topic.
- Develop and practice their new skills.
- Compose, make, do, build, investigate, explore, write for different purposes and read across the curriculum.
- Research their own questions and those set by others.
- Follow new pathways of enquiry based on their interests.
- Complete homework activities that support their learning.
At the “Innovate” stage, students:
- Apply skills, knowledge and understanding in real-life contexts.
- Solve real or imagined problems using everything they’ve learnt.
- Get inspired by imaginative and creative opportunities.
- Revisit anything not fully grasped at the ‘Develop’ stage.
At the “Express” stage, students:
- Become the performers, experts and informers.
- Share their achievements with parents, classmates and he community.
- Evaluate finished products and processes.
- Link what they have learnt to where they started.
- Celebrate their achievements!
Maths
Since 2022, we have adopted the White Rose Maths scheme at Byron College which is linked to the Cornerstones Curriculum.
All new concepts are introduced using the pedagogical approach of Concrete – Pictorial – Abstract.
Concrete – a child approaches a new idea by acting it out with real objects. In division for example a child may share 12 biscuits among 6 students.
Pictorial – after sufficient hands-on experiences a child can now relate these experiences to representations – such as a diagram or picture of the problem. In the case of division this could be the action of circling objects.
Abstract – A child is now capable of representing problems using mathematical notations. An example of this would be 12 ÷ 2 = 6
White Rose Maths Scheme
Calculation Guidance
English
Phonics and grammar are taught exclusively through EYFS and Key Stage1 and we are transitioning from the Jolly phonics scheme to the Twinkl Phonics scheme (DFE approved) which coincides with our Spelling and Grammar curriculum in Key Stage 2 which follows the Twinkl scheme as well.
This will be embedded over the coming academic year. Phonics interventions happen in Key Stage 2 and form part of the EAL program.
Reading follows the Oxford Owl and soon the Twinkl scheme in EYFS/KS1 and the Accelerated Reading program in KS2.
Writing follows closely the talk for writing progression through the genres in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2: imitation to innovation to independent application.
Imitation-Story Mapping: A story or text map is drawn showing the sequence in pictures, words and actions. students internalise the structure.
Innovation-Story Plan: Involves using the original as a basis for creating something new. This is the collaborative planning/writing process.
Invention-Big Write: Shared writing is followed by the students attempting their own composition.
English as Additional Language (EAL)
Streaming in KS1 happens to allow for more focused and appropriate challenge for students from differing backgrounds of English. In KS2 we have a dedicated EAL teacher who provides dedicated English lesson for EAL students. Tracking assessment of progress and attainment happen through the year in EAL. Reporting and workshops for parents are in place provide strategies to support EAL at home.
Computing:
We follow the Twinkl scheme of work. However, there are several opportunities to incorporate the computing curriculum into the Cornerstones Curriculum.
PSHE:
We follow the Twinkl scheme of work, including the curriculum for Relationships Education.
Music:
We follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study from Key Stage 1 which is taught by our specialist music teacher.
PE:
We follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study. The Curriculum is taught by our PE department from EYFS all through primary.
Residential Trips
Year 5
At the end of Year 5 our students take the first big step of going on a trip which involves an overnight stay without their parents! The Ranch at Sofiko is an ideal destination being in a safe and beautiful natural environment within a few hours of Athens. During the two-day stay our students, accompanied by their class teachers, enjoy swimming, basketball, horse riding and other outdoor activities and team sports.
They experience communal eating and sleeping in small wooden cabins for the first time and learn to take responsibility and to build on developing their independent social skills.
Year 6
At the end of Year 6 all students have the opportunity to experience a three- day residential trip to Nafplio accompanied by their class teachers. They spend two nights in the centre of Nafplio learning about the historical significance of the picturesque town, once the capital of Greece. Educational visits to the ancient sites of Mycenae and the Castle of Palamidi are also a highlight of the trip. The visit is closely linked to their studies on the Ancient Greek civilisation and the Greek Culture topics covered in Primary school.
The trip is also a chance for the students further cement their bonds with their peers and teachers in non-academic environment. For many, it is a chance to increase their independence skills, socialise, make their own beds and pack their bags!
Afternoon Tea
All students from Year 3 -6 receive an afternoon tea invitation at least once during the academic year. This is a very coveted invitation where the students develop their social skills in conversation with the Head Teacher and table manners. They are treated to a very British afternoon tea with cucumber and cheese sandwiches, British biscuits or scones and Earl Grey tea served in Victorian bone china cups and saucers!
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