The new Primary curriculum, September 2014

The government has introduced a new curriculum starting from this September and has also abolished the old levels which have been used to show progress and attainment. Much of the curriculum remains the same as the old curriculum but I have outlined below the main changes in each subject.As in most schools, we have planned our new curriculum and tailored it to the needs of the children at Benenden. Many of the subjects have changed in content and there is a greater emphasis on children acquiring knowledge alongside skills. There is also a requirement that the curriculum will be underpinned with traditional British values. I have summarised below the main changes in each subject and attached the topics we will be covering in each year group this year. I hope this is helpful but we will also be holding a new curriculum evening for parents later this term.

Gill Knox, Headteacher

English: / New curriculum
  • Spoken Language
(used to be called “Speaking and listening”) / There will be a focus on children being able to speak articulately and with understanding and develop debating skills. They will be exposed to a wide vocabulary and a rich and varied selection of texts. Spoken language will underpin their reading and writing and the programme of study runs through from Year 1 to Year 6.
  • Reading
/ There will be a greater emphasis on children reading different types of texts for pleasure and enjoyment and to enhance their understanding of grammar. Comprehension skills will also be given a greater emphasis. Teachers will choose exciting and challenging texts often connected to the class topics.
Teachers are expected to develop a love of reading in every child.
  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar
/ Phonics remain a vital part of the KS 1 curriculum. There are new statutory spelling lists for each year group and new grammar and punctuation requirements (SPAG for short!). At Benenden, we will be teaching spelling, punctuation and grammar separately, whilst encouraging the children to apply these skills in their writing across the curriculum.
In 2016, a Key Stage 1 SPAG test is to be introduced.
  • Writing
/ The new writing curriculum is divided into “transcription” – the secretarial skills of writing – and “composition” – the structure and content of writing. Teachers plan for children to have opportunities to write across the curriculum and each class does a “Big Write” once a week to develop children’s writing stamina.
Mathematics: / New curriculum
The main changes in the new curriculum, which is set out for each year group, have been:
  • The use of mathematical equipment (manipulatives) to help with calculations and problem solving
  • The three main aims of the new curriculum are fluency, reasoning and problem solving (this has a much higher profile than before)
  • Many of the themes e.g. fractions have been moved to lower year groups. The belief is that the use of manipulatives will enable children to develop mathematical concepts at an earlier age than previously.
  • No calculators in SATs! A greater use of skills in written and mental calculations without the use of calculators is written in across the curriculum.
  • We have just completed a new Calculation Policy – outlining how we will teach calculations across the school – and this will be published on the website.

Science / New curriculum
The new curriculum is similar but identifies the areas of learning as biology, physics and chemistry. There is a greater emphasis on scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding. Children are to be taught the uses and implications of science and how it applies in the modern world.
At Benenden we will continue to teach science in discrete year groups. This enables more practical activities to take place in smaller groups.
Computing (ICT) / New curriculum
ICT is now called computing. There will be a greater emphasis on the use of algorithms and programming – on how computers work – as well as the varied and changing use of computing in the world. The three main aims of this curriculum are to develop children as digital citizens, digital creators and digital communicators. Our new LearnPads will help the children to access the new curriculum.
History / New curriculum
The new curriculum has a much greater emphasis on ancient history so children must study the Stone Age, Iron Age, Roman empire, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings in Britain and the world wide ancient civilisations such as the Greeks, Incas and Egyptians. Local history is a statutory requirement along with turning points in British history – such as the First and Second World wars and a history of our monarchy. There is a greater emphasis on learning about important historical figures.
Geography / New curriculum
In geography, there is a greater emphasis on knowledge. In Key Stage 1, children need to learn the names of countries in the United Kingdom, the names of continents and major oceans worldwide. In Key Stage 2, they need to compare and contrast localities in Europe and the wider world and develop geographical skills through fieldwork. The geographical vocabulary is also laid down for each Key Stage.
Languages / New curriculum
The new curriculum requires that children be taught a language, but it can be an ancient language such as Latin. At Benenden, we will continue to teach French across Key Stage 2.

In other foundation subjects – music, PE, Art, Design Technology – there are minor changes and there are no changes to the RE and PSHE curriculum. We will, of course, continue to teach all of these subjects.