Clore Shalom School
Curriculum
Curriculum Intent
We ensure that all pupils have an education which provides continuity and progression and considers the needs of all learners. Our curriculum is exciting and inspires children to foster a passion for learning whilst being challenged in all areas of the curriculum. We teach our pupils how to grow into resilient and responsible people, who are aware and proud of their Jewish heritage and traditions.
Please contact Mrs Rebecca Berger, Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum, if you have any further curriculum queries.
Yearly Overviews
English Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom School we engage and inspire our children to achieve in all areas of their learning. We believe that a quality English curriculum should develop a child’s love of reading, writing and discussion. We strive to teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that through their reading and listening they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and in turn, others with them. We nurture a culture where children take pride in their writing, can write clearly, imaginatively and accurately and adapt their language and style for a range of contexts.
Talk for Writing
We use the Talk for Writing approach in our English lessons. Each unit focuses on three distinct areas: In the ‘Imitation’ phase, children develop their speaking and listening skills, explore a model text and identify its key features. In the ‘Innovation’ phase, children create a new plan and take part in shared writing which innovates on the model text. In the final phase, ‘Independent Application’, children create a piece of writing based on the model text. Each unit begins with a ‘cold task’ to assess children’s current skills and ends with a ‘hot task’ to assess the progress made in the unit.
Reading Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom, we believe reading to be a key life skill and are dedicated to enabling our pupils to become lifelong readers with an embedded love of reading. Our reading curriculum is delivered through synthetic phonics, guided reading, home reading, reading across the curriculum, regular opportunities for independent reading and hearing quality texts read aloud every day.
Read Write Inc (RWI)
At Clore Shalom we use the highly successful programme Read Write Inc. (RWI) to teach children to read. Read Write Inc. is a phonics complete literacy programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7.
Phonics is the method of teaching reading through the identification of sounds and graphemes.
The new National Curriculum ensures that all children are taught Phonics systematically.
This gives your children the tools to read any word.
Maths Curriculum Intent
Mathematics is an important creative set of skills that helps us to make sense and understand the world. We want all pupils at Clore Shalom to experience a curriculum, which engages and inspires them with enjoyment and to develop a curiosity of the subject with a clear understanding. We foster a positive approach towards mathematics and we promote the idea that ‘we can all do maths’! We believe that there should be a ‘no ceiling’ approach to learning for pupils to develop a secure and deep understanding of mathematical concepts through carefully sequenced opportunities. Pupils at Clore Shalom are taught to be flexible and resilient learners, who value their ‘good mistakes’.
Science Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom, our children are inquisitive scientists and our curriculum reflects opportunities for them to develop their investigative skills. Our pupils have told us that they love carrying out experiments to demonstrate real life learning about science. Our science curriculum offers excitement and fosters a love for learning and prepares our children for life beyond primary school. We make STEM links with science, maths, technology and engineering where possible and have an annual STEM week in March.
PSHE Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom School, PSHE is intended to enable children to make choices which can keep them healthy, both mentally and physically. The curriculum is designed to help them understand how they are developing personally, physically and socially and prepares them for the challenges they may face as they are growing up by encouraging them to be resilient. Our children are encouraged to develop skills to help them recognise when they may need support and how this can be accessed. Children at Clore Shalom learn to be good citizens, how to find their place within the diverse society we live in and how to have a positive impact on their own life and that of others around them.
Jewish Studies Curriculum Intent
Within Jewish Studies there are seven main goals of the curriculum.
- To develop a positive connection to Judaism
-To improve and develop Siddur literacy across the school
-To allow children to become more familiar with Jewish home rituals
-Familiarity with festivals and lifecycle
-Connecting Judaism with the rest of their lives
-To be able to have the necessary basic Jewish knowledge and skills to support those that transition to a Jewish secondary school
-To graduate from Clore Shalom ready to start B'Mitzvah classes
These areas underpin the knowledge and skills which is delivered to our pupils.
IVRIT Modern Language
Ivrit is taught as a Modern Foreign Language. We work according to the National Framework- Part One for Modern Languages, looking at the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. At Clore Shalom, we work with a variety of programmes. ‘Chalav u’Dvash’ together with the new program ‘Ivrit Misaviv L’olam’, focuses on listening and speaking skills through the use of interactive games, which the children really enjoy. ‘Alef Champ’ focuses on recognising Hebrew letters and vowels in order to improve reading and writing skills. ‘Ivrit Be’Click’ focuses on daily life situations through the use of interactive activities and games, worksheets, flash cards, and other materials. Throughout the year, we celebrate and learn about Jewish festivals, and the relevant vocabulary in Ivrit. This interactive curriculum engages the children and inspires them to learn.
Ivrit Overview 22-23
Computing Curriculum Intent
Our computing curriculum provides children at Clore Shalom with the means of accessing the modern world and to express themselves creatively and practically. Our children are growing up in an increasingly technological world, consequently the ability to understand all aspects of computing is an essential life skill in the 21st century in an ever developing ‘online’ world. At Clore Shalom our children acquire the skills and knowledge of computing in a systematic and safe way meaning that each child is produces results that demonstrate their achievements and enable them to access the digital world.
Design and Technology (DT) Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom we believe that D&T should provide children with a real life context for learning. Children are challenged to design and create for a purpose, through practical experimentation. Our curriculum is in its early stages of development and seeks to teach children new skills that build upon their prior learning year on year. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems and develop resilience, both as individuals and as members of a team. The children are given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.
Art & Design Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom, our Art curriculum develops creativity, sets challenges, engages and inspires children and equips them with the knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own works of art. Our curriculum is in its early stages of development and seeks to teach children new skills that build upon their prior learning year on year. Children are encouraged to develop their resilience when learning new artistic skills, and create work that they are proud to share as it showcases the progress they have made.
History Curriculum Intent
The History Curriculum at Clore Shalom School will shape young historians who are equipped with invaluable transferable skills; including thinking critically, analysing evidence and asking questions. They will also gain knowledge of the past, appreciation for artefacts and an enthusiasm for learning about inspirational historical people. The progression of history skills carefully builds on prior learning so that children can make sense of history as they journey through the school.
Geography Curriculum Intent
The intent of the geography curriculum at Clore Shalom is to stimulate a deep knowledge and understanding of the human and physical world, whilst also understanding the necessity of achieving a sustainable future. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about the world around us, but also their local area of Hertfordshire so that they can develop of real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique.
Music Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom the music curriculum ensures children sing, listen, play, perform and evaluate.
We believe music is an important part of our wider curriculum that gives children opportunities to express themselves in a variety of ways. Through the musical program Kapow, teachers are able to produce inclusive lessons for all children to access the musical curriculum in a fun and engaging way, further promoting a love of learning. We provide opportunities for children to perform and develop a wide range of skills both inside and outside of the classroom such as music workshops, performances, assemblies, private instrumental lessons and the school choir.
Progression of Skills
PE Curriculum Intent
At Clore Shalom we teach physical education with the aim of equipping pupils with the tools and understanding, to make a positive impact on their own physical health and well-being. We will offer all our pupils a wide variety of sporting and physical skills which we believe will enhance life-long fitness and life choices enabling children to succeed.