Wider Curriculum Opportunities & Cultural Capital

Our curriculum extends beyond the National Curriculum and includes a wide range of enriching experiences and opportunities both within and beyond the school day. This includes an extensive programme of after-school clubs, that support the core curriculum offer, as well as those which develop specialist skills, such as sport, whilst also extending the range of children’s experiences (Cultural Capital).  A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, and provide a purpose and relevance for learning.

The school takes pride in providing a highly inclusive environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education and make very good progress across the curriculum. Children at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged and supported through being offered tasks which provide opportunities for greater depth and those who can struggle are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.

 

Across the year at Waterside, our learning continues beyond the classroom and the normal school day as we offer a variety of extra-curricular clubs. There are a variety of clubs on offer, some are offered exclusively to particular year groups (based on age requirement etc) whereas others are open to all year groups – these details will be shared on the club letters that are sent out at the end of each half-term.

We expect all our children to behave in extra-curricular clubs as they would during the school day. Should they not do so, they may lose their place. They will receive a written warning before their place is withdrawn.

We will ensure that our service is fully inclusive in meeting the needs of all children, particularly those that arise from their ethnic heritage, social and economic background, gender, ability or disability. Our setting is committed to anti-discriminatory practice to promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all children and families. In accordance with Department of Education requirements we also promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

 

 

 

 

 

At Waterside Primary School we are using our PE & Sport Premium to part-fund a qualified sports coach.  Mr Franklin  who is already known to many pupils across the school, provides high quality instruction during PE lessons; he also runs sporting activities after school; and promotes increased pupil participation in PE & Sport beyond the school day.

 

At Waterside we provide opportunities for children to take part in a wide range of musical activities and performances where they are encouraged to sing, compose and work creatively with sound. Through active listening, pupils’ awareness, understanding and appreciation of a wide variety of music are developed. A range of opportunities are provided within and beyond the curriculum for children to showcase their musical skills and talents, for example  our pupils take part in Young Voices where school choirs across the country come together to performance at the Indoor Arena in Manchester.  Visits to the theatre further enriches pupils’ cultural development.

As a school we appreciate and understand the importance of drama within our curriculum. Research reveals that drama had a positive impact on children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. All year groups actively take part in productions.  

Enrichment sessions allows pupils at Waterside to learn or enhance a skill or talent . It is a time for pupils to try something new and broaden their interests. ​