Our curriculum is designed to:
At Merebrook Infant School, as one of the 5D Trust schools, we follow the National Curriculum. We use this to provide a rich, varied and creative curriculum, whilst exploring a wide range of subjects and topical events, which serves our vibrant and diverse community. Trips and experiences provide enrichment opportunities. Teachers plan and deliver engaging and creative lessons to ensure that all skills and knowledge required to succeed are sequenced and taught throughout our school, with planned repeated practice, from the moment children arrive.
We understand the value of reading and early reading as a key driver, which allows children to access the rest of the curriculum, and much of the world around them. From the moment children arrive in school they begin a carefully planned, progressive reading diet so they skilfully and fluently read for pleasure and for learning.
Our curriculum combines our school values and the Fundamental British Values to ensure children develop the highest aspirations for themselves, build their confidence which enables them to become emotionally intelligent citizens who can operate smoothly in the modern world. Children learn how to build successful relationships which support themselves and those around them, through good communication and a sound moral code. We promote positive learning behaviours which empowers children to become lifelong learners who are resilient and hardworking, rising to challenges and embracing risk. We aim for our children to thrive and achieve in every aspect of their development.
Career choices are woven into learning, so children can understand how their learning can become a job or vocation in the adult world. Our primary curriculum prepares children for the transition to the next stage of their learning giving them a solid foundation on which to successfully build.
Progression of Knowledge and Skills
If you would like further information regarding our curriculum, please contact Miss Tracy Hurwood. She can be contacted by email or by telephone on 01908 522 876.
The teaching of reading starts as soon as children start school in Early Years. At Merebrook we use the highly successful Read Write Inc (RWI) Phonics programme to teach children how to recognise and read the sounds in words and how to read what we call tricky red words, such as ‘once,’ ‘have,’ ‘said’ and ‘where’. Children are taught in homogenous groups to ensure speedy acquisition of both phonic and reading skills. Children continue to move through the RWI programme as they move through to Keystage 1.
In addition to daily phonics lessons, children in Keystage 1 take part in individual and whole class reading sessions, led by an adult.
The focus in these sessions shifts towards the children’s understanding of the texts they are reading as they become fluent readers and they begin to develop the skills of inference and deduction. In these sessions, children mostly share texts which link to topic learning so that they are able to make links with their learning across the curriculum.
We aim for all our children to develop a love of listening to stories, reading stories and becoming confident and imaginative story tellers. Across the school there are dedicated story times each day to foster a love of reading. Our carefully selected collection of quality texts include “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors”—enabling children to view characters who reflect their own identities, who open windows to others who are different, and who provide doors to new experiences and realities.
Every child takes home a RWI reading book which is closely linked to the pupil’s phonics ability. In addition to this text, pupils also have the opportunity to select a library book to nurture reading for pleasure. Children are encouraged to read at home on a daily basis and to discuss what they are reading.
Children that are not making the progress we expect to see will receive 1:1 phonic tutoring by a qualified member of staff. The aim is for all children to ‘catch up and keep up’. Children that come to us from other schools at the start of September or mid-way through the year, will be assessed, grouped and supported with 1:1 tutoring, if required.
Our assemblies promote our core values of Community, Pride, Aspire. Each month we focus on a range of values themes, growth mindset focus, composer and language of the month. This specific teaching is interwoven throughout all we do.
Parents and carers are invited to attend a variety of assemblies. We encourage attendance as this promotes community spirit, and shows the school and the home working together in support of the children's achievements.
Our School is part of the 5 Dimensions Trust A Company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. No. 07595434 Registered Office The Hazeley Academy Emperor Drive, Hazeley, Milton Keynes, MK8 0PT. Tel 01908 555620
