Creative Curriculum

Here at The Oaks we use the Cornerstones Curriculum as a basis for our topic work. We have customised Cornerstones to meet the needs of all our groups of learners and provide a broad, rich and deep curriculum.

The topics we cover provide a progression of skills for geography, history, science, DT and art and design that translate the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum into effective classroom teaching, whilst inspiring our pupils to learn.

Each topic is split into the four cornerstones; Engage, Develop, Innovate and Express.

Engage- we feel this is a highly valuable stage of learning as it provides our pupils with first hand experiences and overcomes some of the barriers to their learning

• gain memorable first-hand experiences, such as going on a visit or inviting a special visitor into 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.

Develop

At the ‘Develop’ stage, children:

• 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.

Innovate

At the ‘Innovate’ stage, children:

• 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.

Express

At the ‘Express’ stage, children:

• become the performers, experts and informers
• share their achievements with parents, classmates and the community
• evaluate finished products and processes
• link what they have learnt to where they started
• celebrate their achievements!

http://www.cornerstoneseducation.co.uk/

We seek to ensure that all the children enjoy and achieve their learning in all lessons. We ensure that whatever the children's strengths maybe they have a chance to shine. We make sure that our curriculum inspires our children and develops their social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding.

Year group topics 2019-2020

Year overview

History at The Oaks Primary School

Design and technology at The Oaks

Design and Technology is about providing opportunity for children to improve their designing and making skills in order to produce a quality product for a real purpose.

Making mistakes is a huge part of Design and Technology and integral to learning.

Children develop many skills including food technology, woodwork, sewing, moving mechanisms and more.

Each year group takes part in three Design and Technology topics per year.