Our curriculum

Our Curriculum Statement

NB: OJS curriculum intent statement currently being updated March 2022 - please check back soon.

The school's Curriculum Statement encompasses the nature of learning experiences which should take place in Overdale Junior School, including the National Curriculum:

"The curriculum is a term to describe all the learning experiences provided at school. It should be broad, balanced and relevant to all children in accordance with the principles laid down by the local authority. It complies with Government legislation in the form of the Education Reform Act. Every effort should be made to match the curriculum to the individual needs and abilities of the learner who should be actively involved wherever possible. It is vital for teachers at every phase to liaise closely when planning and implementing the curriculum: this will aid continuity and progress. It is crucial that all learners are challenged and that high expectations are held and fulfilled. All learners are entitled to this curriculum, which should acknowledge and reflect the changing and multicultural nature of society."

"The curriculum is a term to describe all the learning experiences provided at school. It should be broad, balanced and relevant to all children in accordance with the principles laid down by the local authority.

It complies with Government legislation in the form of the Education Reform Act. Every effort should be made to match the curriculum to the individual needs and abilities of the learner who should be actively involved wherever possible.

It is vital for teachers at every phase to liaise closely when planning and implementing the curriculum: this will aid continuity and progress. It is crucial that all learners are challenged and that high expectations are held and fulfilled.

All learners are entitled to this curriculum, which should acknowledge and reflect the changing and multicultural nature of society."

You can read our policies on Teaching & Learning, Assessment for Learning and Written Calculations on our policies page.

2021/22 Curriculum

Please see Curriculum overview documents and Text maps for details of each year group's current curriculum content.

Enrichment Activities

The children also enjoy a range of enrichment activities in 6 week blocks, including Art, PE, Food Routes, Nature Studies and Forest School sessions which make the most of our extensive and varied grounds.

Pupils also undertake a 6 week project on sustainability, linked to the curriculum theme. They learn about the beauty and intricacy of the natural world and the ways in which natural systems are in danger, looking for positive solutions to inspire themselves and others.

AUTUMN TERM

Please find details below of the core texts studied this year during the Autumn term. (Spring term text maps can be found here)

Autumn term 1 core texts:

Year 3 - After the Fall by Dan Santat

Year 4 - Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister

Year 5 - The Promise by Nicola Davies

Year 6 - Can I Build Another Me? by Shinsuke Yoshitake

Units planned on the above texts enabled us to have a whole school focus on sentence structures. Careful planning for progression meant class teachers were able to revisit and recap on sentence building work carried out in previous year groups, ensuring precision and understanding underpins pupils' writing as we move forward.

Autumn term 2 core texts:

Year 3 -Into the Forest by Anthony Browne

Year 4 - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Year 5 - Herakles (classic text)

Year 6 - Over the Line by Michael Morpurgo