Curriculum

September 2020 

We are excited to introduce our bespoke ‘New Islington Curriculum 2020’. This huge project, to create a curriculum that is fit for purpose and excites our learners, has been driven forward by Miss Otu, supported throughout its development by every member of the teaching team.

There has been an attention to detail to provide a clarity:

• • What units we will teach
• • Why we will teach these units
• • When we will teach these units

Using the National Curriculum as our starting point, and partnered with global learning approaches, e have developed a very clear Learning Journey for all our children.

It is built on our core values of kindness, respect, cooperation and resilience and underpinned with an expectation that our children will develop a love for learning.

We believe:

• • that every child is every adult’s responsibility,
• • that every moment counts, and
• • that there needs to be consistency in approach to meet the needs of all pupils – (whether high ability, SEND, EAL or one of our new arrivals.)

The Golden Thread through our curriculum from EYFS to Year 6 reflects our unique pupil population – we have over 24 nationalities with as many different languages spoken. The Global / International and Cultural element of our curriculum offer is embedded in all year groups and across all subjects.

Our Early Years Curriculum is bespoke to our pupils. Building on the expectations of the Development Matters Early Years Curriculum, every year the themes change to ensure we engage and inspire through relevant units, whilst being challenging and aspirational. Our Early Years Curriculum ensures that we narrow the gap from entry on baseline, to their end of year attainment.

Throughout Key Stage One, we establish a secure foundation – well-defined blocks of understanding, skills and knowledge, with clear progression and sequence that the children develop so when they move into Key Stage Two, they are confident and competent learners. This building block approach encourages a systematic approach to knowledge and skills acquisition.

We teach Maths using the White Rose scheme; professionally, the team have been on a journey and feel that for our children the White Rose approach best fits our pupils who need the challenge of greater reasoning and problem solving opportunities.

Our Writing units follow the New Islington Writing Pathway – an aspirational flow of learning that is based on quality texts as the springboard for quality writing. As with the ‘New Islington Curriculum 2020’ our Writing pathway is bespoke to New Islington.

We know that our pupils need to be exposed to high quality texts to widen their vocabulary – we teach reading using the Letters and Sounds phonics approach. We set the standard high in our whole class guided reading sessions – linking texts to writing units so children can make links in their learning.

Foundation subjects are taught discretely – children are clear about the subject they are studying and whether it is a skills-based subject or a knowledge-based subject. We have ensured a mix of British and Global themes to reflect our pupil population. The Autumn term starts with a whole school focus on ‘Our Community’ and the year ends with a whole school focus ‘Going Global’. We have also ensured a real sense of chronology so children can make links to prior and future learning.

The timetable is adapted to the specific focus – at times a subject will be ‘blocked’ and other times it may be interspersed throughout the half term.  When subjects are ‘blocked’ we encourage a real immersion and this provides depth and clarity to learning. Teachers are given the freedom to decide what works best for their class and the unit of work being taught.

We believe that our Restorative Approach is central to everything that we do – it forms the foundation of our successful relationships and learning. Linking directly with our values, we explicitly and implicitly teach children positive ‘behaviours for learning’ and ‘behaviours for life’. To this end, each class has at least one ‘Circles’ session each week when children are encouraged to articulate and explore themes and Big Ideas.

We have also built into our curriculum key experiences; we are calling this ‘Eleven before Eleven’ where we have mapped out eleven opportunities over the seven years of being at our school, over and above their usual learning, to enthuse and provide memorable experiences.

Please click here An Overview of the New Islington Curriculum 2020.

Please click here to access our 2020 The New Islington Writing Pathway.

Please click here to access our PHSE Scheme of Work 2020.

We are now a Rights Respecting School!

We are very excited to announce that we have registered to be a ‘Rights Respecting School’.

In September 2020 will embark on our journey to achieving the Bronze Award. There are three awards within the Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA)

Bronze – Rights Committed

Silver – Rights Aware

Gold – Rights Respecting

What is RRSA?

The abbreviation RRSA stands for Rights Respecting Schools Award. The award is given to schools who show they are committed to and recognise the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). They put this at the centre of all they do.

RRSA at New Islington Free School

At New Islington Free School the children are our first priority. We support, teach and nurture all the children who attend to help them to develop into the very best versions of themselves. It is our mission to empower our children to approach all challenges and opportunities presented to them with confidence and resilience. Our school values of respect, resilience, kindness and cooperation blend seamlessly into the core values of the Rights Respecting Schools Award.

Through RRSA the children will develop a deep understanding of their rights, the rights of others and the impact of these. They will develop their knowledge of the world and their wider community and above all else they will continue to develop into great citizens and they will understand how they can make a difference in the world.

The RRSA Lead Teachers are

Miss Ellison

Mrs Reveley

Useful documents

A summary of the URNC

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

RRSA Action Plan

Useful website links

The UNICEF website - https://www.unicef.org.uk/

The UNICEF YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/user/UNICEFUK

Sport at New Islington 2020

The Government provides all schools with additional funding that is to be ‘ring fenced’ for improving the provision of PE and sport. The amount each school receives is calculated by reference to the number of children on roll.

Schools are accountable for how this money is spent; the amount we received in the year 2019/20 was £18,250.

As a result of this dedicated, ring fenced funding, it is expected that schools will see an improvement of provision and opportunity against 5 Key Indicators:

1. The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
2. The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
3. Increase the confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
4. Provide a broader range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
5. Increase participation in competitive sport

Dedicated PE Lead Teacher to drive improvements:

We have appointed a teacher to lead the development of sport at the school. Over the course of the academic year 2019/20 we have seen an exciting and sustainable transformation of sporting provision across the school.

The following is a snapshot of some of these changes:

• Purchased Real PE legacy package to offer staff CPD
• All staff trained in the delivery of Real PE
• All new staff trained in Real PE
• TA’s attended a sports leadership course to up skill 5/6 sport leaders
• Children from Years 1-6 offered lunchtime coaching session at least twice/week ·
• Sports Ambassadors working with the lunchtime coaches and promoting activities
• New boys football team developed coached by external coach (start date January 2019)
• New girls football team developed coached by external coach (start date September 2019)
• Attend PE association ‘Inspire’ Festivals
• Resources enhanced
• Introduced the Daily Mile across the school
• Manchester City Coach secured to work one day/week alongside staff PE sessions and offer extra-curricular sessions.
• Skateboarding After school Club introduced
• Basketball After School Club introduced
• Football After School Club introduced
• Sports Kits purchased to represent the school at sporting events – sponsorship agreed with a local company

Swimming at New Islington

In collaboration with the Local Authority, we take our Year 4 class every week to the pools at East Manchester Leisure Centre, Beswick. The Local Authority advice is that Year 4 is the optimum age group to take, and that it is most effective to give them the full year of lessons.

We continue to encourage our pupils to swim regularly and the following reflects their standards, although we do not use Sports Premium Funding to provide additional lessons beyond Year 4:

Click here to view the July 2020 Evidencing the Impact Review

At New Islington we are delighted to offer all our pupils a wide range of clubs, run both by staff and outside agencies. Participating in extracurricular activities provides an important and enjoyable part of a child’s education, widening their experiences outside of the classroom.
Clubs take place before school, at lunchtimes as well as after school. Extra-curricular clubs run by school staff are free to attend. Clubs run by outside agencies may incur a small fee.

What is e-safety?

At New Islington, we want staff, children, parents and carers to create a school community that embraces the use of different technologies to enhance learning and thinking, as well as teach all of our children how to be safe and responsible digital citizens, who make informed decisions about their actions online. We believe that the internet is a great resource and tool.

At home, many children also use computers and mobile devices to play games, learn and explore. Make talking about what they’re up to online, a normal part of everyday life rather than something that only happens when there’s a problem or issue. We believe regular, open conversations between parents, carers and children about using the internet is ultimately the best way to keep children safe online.

While there are huge benefits to being online, it is important to be aware that any time children use the Internet, they do face some potential risks, such as accessing inappropriate or harmful content, harmful interactions with other users, oversharing their own personal information, grooming and sexual abuse, online bullying, gambling and manipulation by online organisations and radicalisation. We believe that understanding what your child is doing online helps keep them safe online.

There are some websites and games that have age restrictions and checks on them to make sure that children don’t see unsuitable content. The same goes for social media networks. It is our expectation that children at New Islington do not have their own social media accounts. This is because children must be at least 13 to register on most social networking websites. However, the reality is there is not a lot standing in the way of children joining at a younger age; so it is vital that as parents and carers you take an interest in your child’s online behaviour and have a good overview of how they use their computer or mobile device to ensure they are only accessing content that is appropriate for their age. We believe age restrictions are there for a good reason.

In this day and age, online safety has to be more than a reminder not to speak to strangers online. As children begin to navigate the internet and use it in different ways as they grow older, their own personal conduct online is also an area where they need guidance. We believe it is important to teach children both about the technological and social and emotional aspects of being safe and successful online.

Please click on the following links for more information:

A Parents’ Guide to Snapchat can be found here

A Parents’ Guide to Instagram can be found here

A Parents’ Guide to Online Gaming can be found here

A Parents’ Guide to YouTube can be found here

ThinkuKnow https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

UK Safer Internet Centre https://www.bbc.com/ownit

NSPCC Share Aware https://www.nspcc.org.uk/ShareAware

Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/

Childnet International https://www.childnet.com/

BBC OWN IT https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

At New Islington, homework plays an integral role in both reinforcing, consolidating and extending learning achieved at school and also in strengthening the working partnership between parents and teachers. Homework should always be purposeful and meaningful.

Purpose of homework

• • To help children to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful lifelong learning

• • To support the development of independent learning skills

• • To reinforce and consolidate concepts which have been learned in school

• • To supplement and extend work undertaken in school by providing extra dimensions not easily achievable in school.

• • To increase parental awareness of what the children are learning in school

• • To capitalise on parents’ enthusiasm to become involved in their children’s work and take advantage of the individual attention that family members can give their own child in their own home

• • To foster the child’s sense of responsibility

Type of homework

All children will receive a Homework Grid with a range of challenges that engage and inspire additional learning and discovery.

In addition:

Reading

• • All children are expected and encouraged to read with their parents on a daily basis. This is just as crucial throughout Key Stage Two as in the early years of a child’s education.

Phonics

• • Younger children will have letter sounds to practice at home.

Spelling

• • Spellings are sent home to be learned and then applied in written work.

Maths

• • Tables should be practised at home daily with parents. The teachers will inform parents which tables to practise.

Sport at New Islington 2020

The Government provides all schools with additional funding that is to be ‘ring fenced’ for improving the provision of PE and sport. The amount each school receives is calculated by reference to the number of children on roll.

Schools are accountable for how this money is spent; the amount we received in the year 2019/20 was £18,250.

As a result of this dedicated, ring fenced funding, it is expected that schools will see an improvement of provision and opportunity against 5 Key Indicators:

1. The engagement of all pupils in regular physical activity
2. The profile of PE and sport being raised across the school as a tool for whole school improvement
3. Increase the confidence, knowledge and skills of all staff in teaching PE and sport
4. Provide a broader range of sports and activities offered to all pupils
5. Increase participation in competitive sport

Dedicated PE Lead Teacher to drive improvements:

We have appointed a teacher to lead the development of sport at the school. Over the course of the academic year 2019/20 we have seen an exciting and sustainable transformation of sporting provision across the school.

The following is a snapshot of some of these changes:

• Purchased Real PE legacy package to offer staff CPD
• All staff trained in the delivery of Real PE
• All new staff trained in Real PE
• TA’s attended a sports leadership course to up skill 5/6 sport leaders
• Children from Years 1-6 offered lunchtime coaching session at least twice/week ·
• Sports Ambassadors working with the lunchtime coaches and promoting activities
• New boys football team developed coached by external coach (start date January 2019)
• New girls football team developed coached by external coach (start date September 2019)
• Attend PE association ‘Inspire’ Festivals
• Resources enhanced
• Introduced the Daily Mile across the school
• Manchester City Coach secured to work one day/week alongside staff PE sessions and offer extra-curricular sessions.
• Skateboarding After school Club introduced
• Basketball After School Club introduced
• Football After School Club introduced
• Sports Kits purchased to represent the school at sporting events – sponsorship agreed with a local company

Swimming at New Islington

In collaboration with the Local Authority, we take our Year 4 class every week to the pools at East Manchester Leisure Centre, Beswick. The Local Authority advice is that Year 4 is the optimum age group to take, and that it is most effective to give them the full year of lessons.

We continue to encourage our pupils to swim regularly and the following reflects their standards, although we do not use Sports Premium Funding to provide additional lessons beyond Year 4:

Click here to view the July 2020 Evidencing the Impact Review

At New Islington free school, we develop spelling and writing skills throughout every subject and throughout every day.

We know that some children find learning spellings easy and some find them hard; we know that some children always achieve a high score in spelling tests but then do not apply this knowledge in their everyday writing. Some children find it hard to learn spellings for a test and yet spell accurately within their everyday writing.

As well as the phonic strategies of decoding, segmenting and blending, many words still have to learned as rote, sometimes referred to as ‘common exception words’.

We use the No-Nonsense approach to teaching spelling here at New Islington. No Nonsense Spelling is a new complete spelling programme designed to meet the needs of the 2014 National Curriculum in a manageable way. It is easy to use, flexible and comprehensive, providing an effective spelling teaching programme from Year 2 to Year 6.

As a part of every child’s homework, spelling lists are sent home and we encourage parents & carers to help your children to work on these daily – little and often is the key to success.

At New Islington Free School, reading has a high profile and we aim to inspire children to become eager and confident readers. We introduce children to a wealth of quality children’s literature, every class has dedicated story time, and books are often used as a stimulus for work in all curriculum areas.

We teach our youngest children to read using ‘Oxford Reading Tree’, a carefully structured reading scheme which offers a range of fiction and non-fiction books at every level. In school, children take part in regular ‘guided reading’ sessions, in which a group of children share a book with their teacher. They may discuss the plot, characters and writing techniques used by the author.

We value the contribution parents make to the teaching of reading and phonics. Every child has a reading record, which charts their reading progress. Teachers offer ongoing guidance, praise and reassurance to parents about their child’s reading. As well as the reading record and informal discussions, teachers report to parents about reading progress during parents’ evenings twice a year and in annual reports.

From Year 2, children move onto ‘Accelerated Reader’, a programme which develops their independent reading skills, comprehension and motivation for reading. After each book they read, pupils take a short online Accelerated Reader quiz, which provides detailed information for their teacher. Children can use the ‘Accelerated Reader’ Bookfinder website at home to search for books – from school, the library or bookshops – which are precisely matched to their reading ability and interests. This approach encourages our children to enjoy reading even more, to read more often, to think positively about reading and to see a clear link between reading and their successes.

Phonics is taught systematically throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. We follow ‘Letters and Sounds’, the Government guidance on phonics teaching, and plan fun and interactive lessons to engage young children. Children move onto our spelling programme once they have a firm foundation in phonic knowledge.

Click here for further information on reading and phonics at New Islington