Curriculum Intent
At Hodnet Primary School, we endeavour to provide a broad and balanced, but flexible, curriculum which meets the needs of our children, and enables every child to fulfil their potential. We pride ourselves on our ability to tailor our curriculum to the interests and needs of our children and involve the children in their own learning as much as possible. Our curriculum reflects our school aims for every child; encouraging positive relationships based upon mutual trust and respect whilst maintaining a ‘can do’ strive for success attitude. Our ambitious curriculum has been designed to follow the statutory requirements for all children from the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum. We ensure that children have the opportunity to experience the curriculum and express themselves as an individual.

The key principles behind our curriculum design are based on these wishes for our children:

To be happy, respectful and kind

To be confident with a strong sense of self-belief

To be resilient

To be excited and inspired by learning

To be an independent learner and a creative thinker

To have high aspirations

To be creative

To have eyes open to a world beyond their immediate surroundings

To be an effective communicator

To have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed

EYFS Principles

We aim for our children to be:

• Mathematicians
• Authors
• Scientists
• Artists
• Sculptors
• Builders
• Singers
• Investigators
• Researchers
• Explorers

Reading is a vital skill which impacts on children’s learning across the curriculum, therefore it is at the centre of our core teaching. We apply a phonetic approach to reading, using the principles from the ‘Twinkl Phonics’ synthetic phonics programme to deliver daily phonics sessions throughout Early Years and Key Stage One. We have updated our reading offer to incorporate the Rhino Readers (Twinkl Phonics) as our primary reading source for our youngest pupils. We continually assess and monitor the children to ensure they are taught at the appropriate phase of learning. We teach in whole class and in small groups and ensure the children are progressing through the stages at an appropriate pace. We provide additional interventions at early stages where needed. Our reading scheme offers progressive phonics books within EYFS and KS1 which are inclusive of non-fiction books, poetry and more. Reading books are matched directly to children’s learning and are progressive and sequential, following the same characters on a realistic journey through time. We ensure our reading books are interesting and exciting to encourage our children to be skilled readers, who enjoy reading for pleasure. We have a whole school lending library and a sharing book option for our younger children.

We follow a Mastery approach to mathematics, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to succeed. We teach our daily maths lessons through the mastery programme and work closely with our local maths hub experts. We primarily use NCETM to support our maths delivery, but also use selected resources from White Rose Maths. In EYFS & KS1 we follow the Mastering Number programme featuring familiar characters such as the Numberblocks to engage our learners in meaningful mathematics. 

We use a Talk for Writing approach for our English teaching, using the principles of talking through a text to develop key language skills used as a core component of learning. We ensure that children are taught the specific elements of spelling and grammar through the talk for writing approach. 

We currently deliver PSHE and RSE using the 1Decision programme, supplemented with specifics from St John’s ambulance, PSHE association and Respect Yourself curriculum. Key updates are provided as required. These, in conjunction with online safety lessons fulfils the current curriculum requirements for RSE. We are in the process of continuing to update this element of our curriculum design in line with national updates.  

“T “is for Tractor

The children have been learning the letter “T” and were very excited when a Tractor came into school. The children looked at Oliver’s dads tractor they  took photographs of the different parts and sat in the cab.

Curriculum Letters and Topic Web for Autumn 2022 

 Curriculum Letter Autumn 2022

Curriculum Letters and Topic Web Spring 2023

Curriculum Letter  Spring 2023

Topic Web information Spring 2023

Curriculum Letters and Topic Web Summer 2023

Class R Curriculum Topic Web Summer 2023

Class R Curriculum Letter Summer 2023

Class R Curriculum Letter Summer 2023

What is our Reggio Emilia themed approach?

• We expose our children to enriching experiences, immersing them in progressive knowledge and skills and equipping them with personal characteristics to succeed in life. We know that all of our learners are inquisitive, constructive and have the ability to map their own learning path though creativity and discovery.