Our curriculum has been designed to extend beyond the National Curriculum and includes a wide range of enriching experiences and opportunities both during and beyond the school day. Our Curriculum has Three Principles which underpin it: Believe, Belong, & Become.

We want to provide opportunities for children to see the impact of their actions, through supporting charitable work, and to understand problems in detail by visiting different locations by speaking to experts and real people who are making a difference in their community and beyond. Our wider opportunities help to create a sense of personal pride in achievement, providing a purpose and relevance for learning. In addition to our taught curriculum, we promote British Values and teach our children to reject discrimination and prejudice.

Assemblies

At Barnacre Road Primary School, our assemblies play a vital role in developing children's character, values and understanding of the world around them. Throughout the year, pupils will explore a wide range of themes that support our curriculum, promote British Values and encourage respect, equality and inclusion.

Our programme includes:

• School expectations and values
• School Council and pupil leadership opportunities
• Environmental responsibility and social action
• International Day of Peace
• Black History Month
• British Values
• Religious festivals and celebrations including Diwali, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Eid, Easter, Vaisakhi and Passover
• Anti-Bullying Week
• Children's Mental Health Week
• Safer Internet Day
• Kindness Week
• World Book Day and World Poetry Day
• British Science Week
• World Refugee Day
• Sports Week and water safety

The programme also includes dedicated assemblies focused on the Protected Characteristics identified within the Equality Act 2010, helping pupils to understand and celebrate diversity whilst fostering a culture of respect and belonging for all members of our community. These assemblies take place throughout the year and are embedded within our wider personal development curriculum. 

Whole School Theme Days/weeks

Throughout the year, we plan and deliver a range of themed days or weeks to extend and enhance the breadth and balance of opportunities we offer our pupils. These include activities like: European Day of Languages, Black History Month, Anti-Bullying Week, Children’s Mental Health Week, World Book Day, Science week, Fair Trade Fortnight, Dance Festivals, and more besides. We will also be developing class-related enrichments over this academic year.

Outdoor Learning

At Barnacre Road, we are blessed to have our own woodland area and extensive grounds, which will be redeveloped over the next 12 months. Our children are able to take their learning out of the classroom and into the natural world, where they can undertake a range of practical activities to support and enhance learning across the curriculum but more importantly, they are supported with their emotional and mental health, allowing them to support and develop health positive relationships with themselves and others.

Educational Visits, Visitors and Residentials

Our visits and residentials are planned to enhance and align with the values and content of our curriculum here at Barnacre Road. Class trips take place in every year, and are always linked to our curriculum content or our Three Principles.

Where we are able to bring visitors in, we endeavour to do so, as we recognise that this is a cost-effective way of enriching the children’s experience.  We have had previous visits from the police, the ambulance service and various religious groups as well as the Humanist Society. Trips include class visits aimed at bringing learning alive and providing first-hand experience; extra-curricular outings such as sporting events; and attending or taking part in performances or competitions.  Our Year 6 children go to Tower Wood for an Outwards Bound residential.

Extra-Curricular Clubs

We offer a range of extra-curricular clubs throughout the year, led both by school staff and external organisations. Our extra-curricular club plan can be found below.

Autumn First Half Term: KS2 Gardening Club

Autumn Second Half Term: Mad Science Club (chargeable, with financial help available for children in receipt of pupil premium)

Spring Second Half Term: Year 4-6 Netball

Summer Second Half Term: Year 5 and 6 Drama Club