Curriculum

(Please see the document at the bottom of the page for more information.)

At Ormesby Village Infant School, we believe that every child deserves to feel valued, included and capable of success. Our Ormesby Odyssey curriculum is an ambitious, knowledge-rich and carefully sequenced journey of discovery, designed to open doors to the wider world while celebrating the unique strengths, experiences and identities of every learner.

At the heart of our curriculum is the belief that inclusion is not something additional to learning; it is the foundation upon which all learning is built. We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, need, ability or starting point, can access, engage with and thrive within our curriculum. Through high-quality teaching, carefully planned support and meaningful adaptations, we create opportunities for every pupil to experience success, develop confidence and achieve their full potential.

Our overarching theme of DISCOVERY inspires children to become curious explorers of themselves, their community and the world around them. We want every child to develop a sense of wonder, ask questions, embrace challenges and discover the possibilities that lie ahead. Through rich experiences and purposeful learning, pupils are encouraged to see themselves as active participants in a diverse and ever-changing world. 

We view each child's educational journey as much more than the acquisition of knowledge. It is an opportunity to nurture character, build resilience and develop a lifelong love of learning. From their very first days with us, we seek to inspire children to be confident individuals who are proud of who they are, respectful of others and ready to contribute positively to society.

We intend to light in them a SPARK, which we will nurture into a FLAME. These flames will burn strongly and brightly through all our planning for the Ormesby curriculum. We will aim to incorporate the following key skills, attributes and principles into every lesson, for every child. 

Our intended aims for our curriculum cycle are:

• open up our global and diverse world, with its myriad of opportunities to all our pupils.
• furnish our pupils with the aspiration, motivation, knowledge and skills to be able to achieve their dreams.
• develop in our pupils the feelings of self-worth, self-belief and strength of character, so that they will never be defeated by adversity, but will try, try and try again.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to broaden horizons and celebrate diversity. We want all children to see themselves reflected in what they learn while also developing an understanding of people, places and experiences beyond their own. Through this approach, pupils learn the importance of kindness, empathy, respect and belonging. They come to appreciate that our differences are strengths and that everyone has a valuable contribution to make. 

Through our Ormesby Odyssey, we strive to:

• Inspire children to become confident, resilient and independent learners.

• Raise aspirations and help every child believe that their goals are achievable.

• Develop strong knowledge and skills that enable future success.

• Foster a genuine sense of belonging where every child feels safe, valued and included.

• Equip children with the confidence to embrace challenge and overcome adversity.

• Cultivate respect for diversity and an understanding of the wider world.

• Instil a lifelong love of learning and exploration. 

Ultimately, we want every child who leaves Ormesby Village Infant School to do so knowing that they matter, that they belong, and that they have the confidence, knowledge and character to continue their own remarkable journey of discovery.

For some foundation subjects, we still teach them through discreet weekly lessons as this may be dependent on specialists teaching them, such as in Sport and Music.

Each class teacher delivers English and Maths in daily, whole class sessions. These sessions cater for the variety of needs within the class. All classes have access to a teaching assistant during these sessions, who can be used to support our children less confident and assist to challenge children beyond. Every class in the school delivers their English and Maths at the same time in the day, including sessions for guided reading and phonics.  

On entry to the Reception classes the children receive a curriculum indoors and outdoors based on the needs of young children which recognises the important balance between Language, Mathematics, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Creativity, Physical, Social and Emotional development. 

Ormesby Village Infant School provides a curriculum which balances the requirements of the National Curriculum and the development of a child's attitudes and values, leading to a responsible membership of the community. The National Curriculum has English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education which, along with the rapidly developing Computing subject, form the main core subjects. History, Geography, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Music, Physical Education and PSHE form the other subjects. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and/or collective worship and if they wish to do so are invited to discuss this with the Headteacher.

The staff place great emphasis on the development of the whole child. The importance of personal, social, emotional and health education is woven into all our activities. 

See more information about our own curriculum, which we have called Ormesby's Odyssey by clicking on the document below.

Approaches to Learning 

Although the National Curriculum is set in subjects, we link aspects of the curriculum together to provide a unifying thread. 

We use a variety of teaching styles to cater for the differing learning modes, teaching children as individuals, in pairs and group work, in ability groups and as a whole class. 

Teachers plan together to provide progression and continuity, taking into account previous learning and the levels at which the children are working in the National Curriculum. 

Homework

Children work and play hard at school and they need time at home in the evenings to rest and be with their family, to play with friends and enjoy other activities. We do expect the children to complete some homework and we want to work in partnership with parents so that the experience is beneficial. All children are encouraged to read and share books regularly and we send home a 'home-school' reading diary for comments from teachers and parents/carers. Children are asked to learn spellings and times tables and may undertake work linked with projects. Homework is differentiated to match pupils' ages and abilities.

Assemblies/Collective Worship

A whole school assembly takes place each day and gives opportunities for children to think about the world and the people who live in it. We talk about feelings and behaviour, things people do and why and right and wrong actions. We learn about the different religious beliefs of people in our country and all over the world. Sometimes we invite visitors to take our assemblies and the vicar of Ormesby often takes an assembly in person or virtually. We also say our school prayer, sing songs and reward children's achievements in and out of school.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from assemblies and collective worship in school. Parents who wish to do this need to inform the Headteacher in writing.