Teaching and Learning
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, we ensure requirements from the Early Years Framework are met. Planning, teaching and learning is based on the early year’s outcomes. 
In KS1 we follow the National Curriculum and the school’s progression of skills maps to plan for the different subjects.
The curriculum is designed around topics and key texts. These topics are enriched by educational visits, in school workshops led by experts, high quality resources and artefacts. Yearly Overviews are in place for each year group and are carefully designed to reflect the Early Years Outcomes, National Curriculum, School Improvement Plan, school progression maps, pupils’ language development and our inclusive ethos. Yearly overviews are then broken down in to medium term plans, weekly plans and daily lessons. Planning and teaching ensures there is a clear sequence of teaching and learning, taking in to account pupils’ prior knowledge and building on this to ensure they develop the necessary skills and concepts for future success. Previously learned content is revisited and concepts are often linked to allow for deeper learning to take place.
The school has a range of resources to support the delivery of the curriculum. The school sensory room provides physical and mental stimulus for children with physical disabilities, developmental delays and sensory impairments. For children with physical disabilities, interaction with sensory stimuli can help them to develop their sight, sound, touch and hearing, as well as encouraging independence.
The school library has range of books and is a haven for all pupils to think, create, share, and grow. Curriculum resources are high quality and support the delivery of the curriculum. Laptops and iPads are available to support all areas of the curriculum as well as the computing curriculum.
Continued Professional Development (CPD) on the content and delivery of different subject areas is planned within the academic calendar. Subject leaders and the Senior Leadership Team identify additional training needs through their monitoring and evaluation. At Tottenhall we actively encourage and facilitate the sharing of good practice and provide regular CPD for all staff based on our school priorities.
Teachers use both formative and summative assessment to assess how well pupils have mastered learning objectives. Formative assessment is assessment for learning which is ongoing and happens daily. Summative assessment is assessment of learning and involves more formal assessment, which may include testing.
Subjects
English Maths Science Computing History
Geography Art and Design Design and Technology Music
Physical Education PSHE Religious Education
Our approach to education across the school provides strong foundations and opportunities for children to develop the skills needed to access learning and prepare them for the next steps. Our children develop confidence, resilience, positive relationships, persistence and organisation. This supports them to work independently and collaboratively with their peers and motivates them to excel in all areas of learning. 
They take pride in their learning, including their written and creative outcomes. Children’s written, creative and oral work captures their increasing understanding of key concepts within each subject. Children can talk about what they are learning both currently and what they have previously learnt, including the skills they have gained and the experiences they have had. They make progress in their learning, regardless of their starting point and demonstrate good learning behaviours in lessons. Children achieve above national averages in Early years and phonics.
Parents and carers provide us with positive feedback about their child’s attitude towards school. They share examples and talk to teachers about learning experiences their child has enjoyed or is looking forward to. The staff in our school demonstrate clear pedagogical understanding in all lessons and seek ways to improve their knowledge. They are confident in their planning, teaching and assessment of learning. Governors and visitors give purposeful feedback to subject and senior leaders on curriculum areas.
We assess the effectiveness of the curriculum by measuring its impact against a variety of outcomes. This evaluation process includes gathering information on children’s performance, engagement levels, outcomes, teaching and learning and feedback from educators, learners, stakeholders and external partners.
To find out further information about the school curriculum, please contact the school office.