The curriculum and learning at Caen
We are continually focussing on our curriculum offer to our children and reflecting on our teaching practise. We feel that we know our children and families well and whilst we try to make best use of our setting in North Devon we are conscious of our location and have a twin focus of looking outside the local area to ensure that our children have a great and rounded education. More information can be found under each subject section and please see below for some additional information about projects we're involved in and trips and visits which we feel enhance our children's education.
Projects and CPD
We are involved in a number of projects this year which we feel will have a significant positive impact on the learning. We are part of a Education Endowment Fund trial into the effect of the Primary Science Quality Mark in driving up standards in teaching and learning in this area. We are lucky enough to be a trial group and whilst it is focussed primarily on Y5 it will have a whole school impact. More information can be found here: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/primary-science-quality-mark/#closeSignup .
As well as this trial, we are also part a proven and successful Oracy Project that was first run in Tower Hamlets and then Plymouth. We were invited into this project through our partnership with the Dartmoor Teaching School Alliance. This is a year long project and more information can be found here: https://www.dartmoortsa.org.uk/plymouth-oracy-project--torridge.html#
Other training over this year involves whole-school maths training from White Rose Maths, Writing at Greater Depth from the Babcock LDP Literacy team, Artsmark award support for our Art co-ordinator, dance support via the Royal Opera House outreach team [a day for each of Romeo and Julet, Alice in Wonderland and Hansel and Gretal], Early Years maths training and more subject specific training for subject leaders.
Trips and Visits
We aim to get out and about and have in visitors to enrich the learning of our children. Y4 and Y6 have outdoor activity residentials for three days/ two nights and fives days respectively. For the first time we are doing a London residential. Y5 will be going to see Alce in Wonderland at The Royal Opera House, the House of Parliament, Docklands Museum to learn about the slave trade and the links with Thames and docks, the Science Museum and the London Eye. This year for the first time as well Y3 are visiting Stone Henge and Y4 are visiting the Roman Baths. We also have local trips to Lynton and Lynmouth, Braunton Burrows, Croyde and further afield like the Eden Project.
We also try to make best use of our wonderful beaches. As part of their curriculum PE Y6 go surf lifesaving weekly for a half-term in the summer. They learn to use the rescue boards, practice ins and outs of the sea and other disciplines associated with this sport.