Kirkby Thore Primary School is a small village primary placed in the heart of its rural community. Our wonderful outside environment and location, set in the shadow of the Pennines, inspires us to “Aim High”, which we achieve using our values of being safe, respectful, and ready to learn. Our bespoke curriculum has been carefully developed to ensure sequenced learning of the Primary National Curriculum for core and foundation subjects: National curriculum in England: primary curriculum – GOV.UK. Foundation subjects are taught following a bespoke whole school four year rolling programme. Learning in these subjects is applied through and inspires our approach to English and writing. Our Science curriculum is taught within mixed groups of KS1, lower and upper KS2. White Rose Maths and NCETM Maths Mastery provide structure for the teaching of Mathematics but as with other subjects, we may adapt them so that all learners gain the skills and make the progress they need. It has also been designed to promote critical thinking and engagement so that all children achieve to the very best of their ability within these groupings. Our pupils are organised into two mixed age classes – Acorns and Oaks. Small class sizes, excellent staff to pupil ratios and the use of ICT help us deliver our mixed age curriculums fully.
Our four-year rolling programme of History, Geography, Art and Design Technology which pupils in Year 1 to 6 follow, enables collaborative learning opportunities as well as carefully crafted and age-appropriate curriculum coverage. We have chosen to learn together in this way so that we can fully embrace opportunities for subject emersion, the sharing and celebration of knowledge and skills gained, and displays which enhance our environment. Practically, working this way will allow us to enable half termly opportunities for getting out in the world and inviting specialist volunteers into school to work with us. Maximising our resources in this way ensures that the size of our school does not inhibit the experience of the children who come here. As much as we understand our responsibility to ensure children are taught about and embrace the very special history, culture and environment they grow up in, we also must ensure that they develop a clear understanding of what it means to currently be British in our multicultural and diverse society which we also aim to celebrate and engage with.
We are committed to creating a friendly, safe and encouraging atmosphere, where everyone feels welcomed and valued and believe our PSHE programme actively promotes this. Pupils are taught how to achieve our school values which have been carefully organised into age-appropriate objectives as well as national and global ones such as upholding British Values and being safe online. All members of the school community are kind, respectful and encouraging to each other, ensuring that we flourish as happy, confident and successful individuals. Success of all kinds is noticed, celebrated and rewarded house points, certificates and prizes so that aspirations are high, and everyone can take pride in what they do and what they achieve together.
For further information on individual subject please visit the appropriate pages within the Curriculum section of this website.
