Curriculum and Classes

About our School Curriculum

At Birch Hill our curriculum is underpinned by our school vision and MOTTO;

Birch Hill is an inclusive and respectful school. In collaboration with parents, and the wider community, we work to enable all children to develop their aspiration.

We believe that teaching and learning should be inspiring. We create challenging opportunities, which encourage children to develop respectful attitudes towards learning and all members of our school community. All children are encouraged to take responsibility, think for themselves and respect others.

The key to learning at Birch Hill is for everyone to learn, believe and achieve together.

Our curriculum is broad, balanced and connected, and which promotes high academic standards as well as personal development. This includes teaching spiritual, moral, cultural and physical and ensuring we prepare our children for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of the next stage of their life.

We aim to teach children how to grow into respectful, responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others, whilst developing knowledge, skills and attitudes to learning, in order that they achieve their highest aspiration.

Core knowledge and skills in reading, writing and mathematics are mainly taught discretely and continuously. However, they are also taught through other subjects: there are many good practical opportunities, for example, to teach mathematics through science, or reading and writing through history.

Each half-term year groups will have a learning topic based on a lead subject, usually history, geography, R.E. or science that develops their knowledge and skills.

At Birch Hill we make use of the resources and cultural capital in the local area: as much as possible, our topic themes are linked to an understanding and appreciation of the local area and its history and changing nature. We also make good use of our national and international links that also enrich the children’s learning.

^{Pupils learn quickly. Their learning builds successfully on previous lessons when teaching follows a logical sequence. Staff ask pupils questions to help them recap and to make links in their understanding. Staff give pupils support if work is too hard and make it more difficult when work is too easy. As a result, the level of challenge is just right and disruption to learning is uncommon.}

^{Ofsted - 2019}

The children also benefit from excellent extra-curricular provision that provides extended opportunities for children to explore new areas of learning and interest or deepen their experience, particularly in sport, art and music.

Click here for more information on our school-based extra curricular offer.

Please see each year groups' page for more detailed information about their curriculum, including; topics, English and Maths coverage. You will also find Meet the Teacher presentation, Curriculum Newsletter and Home Learning information.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)

SMSC is embedded in all aspects of our curriculum. We aim to promote our pupil's self-esteem and confidence, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour and show them how they can make a positive contribution to our local community. Our staff help pupils understand right from wrong and encourage respect of others within the community. We promote tolerance and understanding of different cultures.

British Values

British Values is defined as;

Democracy,
The rule of law,
Individual liberty,
Mutual respect and
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

At Birch Hill we promote these values through our own school values & ethos, curriculum and enrichment activities.

We recognises our responsibility to prepare children for life in modern Britain and is committed to ensuring that the fundamental British values are introduced, discussed and lived out through the ethos and work of our school. We value the diverse backgrounds of all pupils, staff and families and celebrate these through a wide range of lessons and events, teaching tolerance and respect for each other, the similarities and differences in our community and the wider world.

Values	How we promote it
Democracy	We have an elected School Council and House Captains. This is used as an opportunity to promote and teach about democracy and the electoral process. We encourage volunteering in and out of school. This includes things like the Buddies, Sports Leaders, and Recycling Champions. We also raising money for local and national charities. Every year Y6 also hold a month long charity event - this has included Molly’s Charity, James Giant Journey and Sian's Charity. Democracy is also promoted through additional PSHE lessons and assemblies. We have our Golden Rules; Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Ready to Learn, Be Honest. Children are also taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.
The Rule of Law	We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy. We recognise good behaviour and children’s effort through a range of rewards including stickers and House points. Children are awarded certificates in assembly and good work is celebrated in Key Stage assemblies. Sanctions are also clear and graduated. · Through our school values and Golden Rules, children are taught how to earn trust and respect and are supported to develop a strong sense of morality; knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult. The local police officer / PCSO visits the school to talk to the children. The children learn about Law and Order through the school curriculum Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.
Individual Liberty	Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others. Through our school values and system and assemblies, children are taught about personal responsibility, choices, ambition and aspiration. They are encouraged to take opportunities to follow their interests in art, music, sport etc. Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, including on-line. This is done through workshops run by the Local Authority and outside organisations such as the NSPCC, as well as through the PSHE and Computing curriculum.
Mutual Respect	We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy. Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others. Through our school values and assemblies children are taught to respect each other, to be cooperative and collaborative, be supportive and to be understanding of differences. Mutual respect is also promoted through PSHE lessons and assemblies. We are currently part of the LGBT+ programme
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.	We have high expectations about pupil conduct and this is reflected in our Behaviour Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy. Tolerance and understanding of different faiths and beliefs is promoted through our Religious Education programme. Children learn about different religions, their beliefs, places of worship and festivals, this is taught through assemblies and the school curriculum. This is supplemented by assemblies (class, Key Stage and whole school), which mark and celebrate some significant religious festivals Visits are made by local religious leaders and children have the opportunity to visit places of worship. Children are taught about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and learn to respect their rights and the rights of others.