At Nightingale Community Academy the primary curriculum is based on the Essentials Curriculum by Chris Quigley which sets out the coverage, learning objectives and standards that are required across all subjects. We chose this curriculum because it emphasizes the importance of developing the depth of children’s learning so that they are able to apply the skills they have learned independently and in a range of contexts.
The curriculum enables us to create a solid foundation for every child so that they develop subject specific knowledge and skills that can be built upon in the next phase of their education. Lessons are personalised to meet individual need and to ensure that all of our pupils can reach their potential. Assessment milestones are aligned to the National curriculum and this enables our boys to complete national assessments in Years 2, 4 and 6 where capability allows.
Core
Foundation
The aim of our foundation curriculum is to open up a range of learning that promotes personal growth and development and can be applied to pupils’ future learning or employment. It is organised around half-termly themes that inspire enthusiasm for learning, ensure achievement for all and support pupil wellbeing and happiness.
At the beginning of each theme, we carefully plan a practical and immersive experience to help pupils become engrossed in their learning, whilst developing and enhancing a natural curiosity for the topic. All lessons are carefully planned with tasks aimed at supporting pupils to think for themselves and to solve problems in real life situations. Through this thematic curriculum we weave subjects together to create an exciting and engaging learning journey; exploiting the full range of subjects outlined in the National Curriculum.
We encourage pupils to develop behaviours for learning that can be applied at every phase of their learning, asking questions and seeking answers for the simple joy of knowing!
Enrichment & Personal Development
We offer a range of activities during break and lunch times so that the boys develop social skills and can experience positive interactions with the wider community. This work supports the interventions made by the therapy team and the literacy and numeracy teams. During their time in the primary phase, every boy experiences individual and group work with our growing cohort of community volunteers and our specialist staff.
Alongside formal interventions, we offer termly opportunities for learners to engage in social activities including film nights and residential visits for children in years 5 and 6. Across the primary age range we encourage a love of music with individual instrument tuition and enrichment with partners, the Royal Philharmonic education team and Wandsworth Music.
RSE and British Values are covered daily across the department using NCA WISE and through assemblies, we have timetabled Personal Development lessons using SCARF, this promotes positive behaviour, mental health, well-being, resilience and achievement.
