The curriculum at Marlfields Primary Academy firmly underpins the school vision and aims.  It is the totality of the children’s learning experiences.  We believe that all children have the right to a broad, balanced, challenging and relevant curriculum which provides continuity and progression and takes individual needs into account. At Marlfields we recognise that children need a well-rounded school experience to succeed, and that personal development is essential to their well-being and achievement. We believe in developing independent active learners and in giving children increasing responsibility for aspects of their own development.  We believe that learning is a continuous process involving the acquisition, interpretation and application of skills, knowledge and concepts and on developing positive attitudes. The aims of the curriculum are to promote high standards and good progress for all learners. A thematic approach is taken to exploit opportunities for cross curricular teaching and purposeful learning to ensure a fusion of excellence in teaching with enjoyment in learning. A strengthened focus on Mathematics and English is employed and taught explicitly as well as using opportunities to apply learnt skills embedded throughout the curriculum. Children’s understanding of computing and the use of technology is used to enhance learning across the curriculum.

A full overview of the curriculum at Marlfields is contained in our booklet “Curriculum @ Marlfields”

Subject Leader Visions

SMSC & British Values at Marlfields

At Marlfields Primary Academy we believe in and teach our learners about the fundamental British Values of:

  • Democracy
  • Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are actively promoted through collective worship, our school golden rules, electing and running our school council.  They are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE), Citizenship and Religious Education (RE). We also teach British Values through planning and delivering our broad and balanced curriculum, which includes real opportunities for exploring these values. British values are reinforced regularly in the following ways:

Democracy

  • Democracy is richly embedded within our school. All children in our school have a voice through the School Council and pupil interviews .The election of School Council Representatives for each class (Years 2-6) are based on pupil votes.
  • Our school behaviour policy involves rewards and sanctions runs through all aspects of school life and is shared with parents and carers.

The Rule of Law

  • The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, school, or the country are constantly reinforced.
  • All children follow the school Golden Rules, these are reinforced regularly throughout the day. Children are taught the value and reasons behind rules and laws, that they govern and protect us,the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broke. Visits from authority, e.g. PCSO and fire service help reinforce this message.
  • To encourage and promote good behaviour, attitude and work we have a whole Dojo point reward system. Children are awarded Dojo points for following any of the school golden rules at any point during the school day. We are also committed to praising children’s efforts (behaviour, achievement and general) through verbal praise and Good to be Green award certificates awarded every week during our celebration assembly.

Individual Liberty

  • Children are actively encouraged to make choices at our school, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.
  • Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely, for example through our e-safety and PSHE lessons.
  • Children are given the freedom to make choices, e.g. signing up for extra-curricular clubs.
  • Children are encouraged to stand for our School Council where they are responsible for gathering pupils opinions

Mutual Respect

  • Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others.
  • All members of our school community treat each other with respect.
  • Respect is a theme running through all of our golden rules.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

  • Congleton is situated in an area which is not culturally diverse, therefore we place a great emphasis on promoting diversity with the children.
  • Assemblies are planned to promote cultural diversity either directly or through the inclusion of stories and celebrations from a variety of faiths and cultures.
  • RE and PSHE teaching reinforces tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Members of different faiths or religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

By doing this we will be developing our children to ensure that they:-

  • Know right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
  • Children are able to contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely:
  • Children develop tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions and to respect their own religions;
  • Children show respect for democracy including the democratic system and how laws are applied in England.

We would like to point parents to our individual class pages where the parents of partners leaflets can be found for each of our year groups.  These leaflets are done each term and give parents clear guidance on the curriculum the children will be covering each term and how they can support at home. Please also visit our blog page regularly which celebrates our work regularly with you all. To further support our pupils we are a ‘KiVa school’ – for further information please see our leaflet for parents on this part of our curriculum available from the school office.