The purpose of our curriculum is to ensure that pupils leave Heartsease Primary Academy, not only prepared for the next stage of their school career but prepared for life. We teach the National Curriculum and alongside this we plan a range of activities and opportunities to ensure that the pupils enjoy a range of experiences they may not otherwise have access to. Our curriculum builds sequentially on knowledge, vocabulary and skills in all subjects to ensure clear progression throughout their primary schooling.
- The curriculum at The HEART Education Trust is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all pupils and gives them the skills, knowledge and vocabulary to prepare them for their future lives.
- It is a ‘toolkit’ to develop skills of resilience, responsibility, independence and the ability to work alongside others so that they are grounded adults, able to meet the challenges and pressures of everyday life in a continuously changing world with passion, enthusiasm, courage, positivity and self-assuredness.
- The aim of our curriculum is for pupils to have the requisite skills to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness not just for their next stage of education but for the rest of their lives
- Our aim is that through the curriculum we offer our pupils opportunities and experiences that they may not otherwise have
- It ensures that academic success, creativity and problem solving, application of reasoning, questioning and applying knowledge and skills across the curriculum, as well as physical development, well-being and mental health are key elements that support the development of the whole child and promote a positive attitude to learning.
- The curriculum celebrates the diversity and utilises the skills, knowledge and cultural wealth of the community while supporting the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
Relationship and Sex Education
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Norfolk syllabus. We focus on different aspects of Christianity and other major world religions. By providing an understanding of other cultures, customs and religions we aim to promote tolerance. Collective Worship is held on a daily basis, as a whole school, in key stages and in individual classrooms. Any parent wishing to withdraw their child from Collective Worship in Religious Education, is invited to discuss the matter, and suitable alternative provision, with the Headteacher.
Teaching Groups
Pupils are placed in single age, mixed ability classes. In KS1, phonics is taught in targeted ability groups across Key Stage 1. For some lessons in KS2, setting by ability also takes place. Access to teachers with specialist skills increases as pupils mature. Work is differentiated in class according to individual pupil needs or group ability. Our most important aim is that every child makes progress.
Ruby Class is our specialist resource unit for pupils with language and communication needs. Pupils from our school and partner schools attend this class for intensive support with their language development. Ruby Class currently accepts pupils from Reception to Year 2.
Reading
Overview of Reading
At Heartsease Primary Academy, we are committed to ensuring our pupils leave primary school as fluent and confident readers. We also aim to inspire in them a love of reading which will follow them into their later life. For this reason, ‘core texts’ are at the heart of our curriculum: these are high quality, engaging texts that lead our learning.
To promote reading further, Heartsease Primary Academy has introduced ‘Bug Club’ an online reading platform that gives each child access to a range of reading books at an appropriate level of challenge set by the teacher. Pupils read the books online and answer questions whenever they see a ‘bug’ on the page. The software enables teachers to see the books children have accessed and the skills they have rehearsed, at a glance.
At Heartsease Primary Academy, we recognise that reading is made up of these essential elements:
- DECODING
- COMPREHENSION
- READING FOR PLEASURE
In Reception, reading is taught through:-
- A daily ‘Phonics’ session – using the ‘Letters and Sounds’ program
- Individual reading – home/ school reading books and reading record and BUG CLUB!
- Frequent use of quality texts; regular story-time, rhyme and song.
- Learning through play: books and print are celebrated in the classroom environment
At KS1, reading is taught through:-
- A daily ‘Phonics’ lesson – following Letters and Sounds
- English lessons – featuring core texts.
- Individual reading – home/ school reading books and reading record and BUG CLUB!
- Daily Reading Comprehension – reading as a whole class to develop the skills necessary to understand a text
- Library sessions – promoting individual reading choice and reading for pleasure.
- Targeted provision for those pupils needing additional support/ challenge.
At KS2, reading is taught through:-
- English lessons – featuring core texts.
- Individual reading – home/ school reading books and reading record and BUG CLUB!
- Daily Reading Comprehension – reading as a whole class to develop the skills necessary to understand a text
- Library sessions – promoting individual reading choice and reading for pleasure.
- Targeted provision for those pupils needing additional support/ challenge.
Assessment
Teacher’s continuously monitor and assess the children’s progress and achievement as they progress through school. Individual progress is reported to parents/carers regularly, via teacher/parent interviews and an annual report.
Children’s attainment in the core subjects is assessed at the end of Foundation Stage, (Foundation Stage Profile) and in Year 2 and Year 6 as part of National testing (SATs).
Physical Education
The school benefits from a large field and outdoor area, together with a well equipped hall, studio and swimming pool. Children 
experience gymnastics, dance, team games and swimming. There are extra curricular clubs for girls and boys such as football, netball, dance and cheer leading. The children regularly take part in cross country and County Sport events. There is a Sports Day each year and parents are encouraged to attend. We aim to teach the pupils the skills of both competitive and noncompetitive games and show them the necessity of sharing, cooperation and good sportsmanship. All children need to take part in PE/Sport as it is part of the National Curriculum and develops good habits for a healthy life style.
