Curriculum

At Golden Valley we offer children a fun, exciting and enjoyable curriculum which instils a love of learning and develops life-long skills. We encourage children to be independent learners who have their own voice and who are well rounded and confident, both in school and in the wider community. We offer children the opportunity to learn through an integrated curriculum, in a variety of learning styles, learning from committed, diligent and enthusiastic staff as well as from each other.

Our thematic, creative curriculum encompasses the National Curriculum and its Programmes of Study. We also ensure that Values form part of every aspect of our learning, and we focus on one value each term, over a two year cycle. Outlines of each year groups plan for their projects are below, and further information can be found on each Year Group page, or directly from the School. As well as the National Curriculum we teach through a Critical Skills approach to learning and include Key Skills in challenges and other areas of projects.

Phonics is taught to our EYFS and KS1 children through structured synthetics teaching, following 'Programme for Phonics into Early Spelling'. This adheres to the framework of Letters and Sounds, although we also use many actions from Jolly Phonics to reinforce our teaching. Where appropriate, pupils in KS2 receive additional support with phonics alongside the teaching of spelling. Our main reading scheme for our younger pupils is Pearson Bug Club Phonics books and we also use the online resource of Bug Club eBooks at school and for children to read at home.

Our broad and balanced curriculum offers a variety of teaching and learning experiences, to enrich the education of every child. Where possible, we teach through real-life experiences and include trips, visits and WOW activities.