1. Statutory Curriculum 2014 If nothing ever changed there would be no butterflies. Parent meeting Tuesday 16 th September 2014

2. Summary  The meeting covered changes that parents will see as a result of the new statutory curriculum in school and a change to the school home learning policy that will hopefully make homework more fun and have more impact on learning.  Please refer to the Teaching & Learning Policy and Home Learning policy on the website for more information.

3. Background  First National Curriculum developed 1988  Pisa ratings rate nations according to academic ability UK does not rate as well as it would like.  new curriculum developed to Raise standards.  Academies and Free schools can opt out but ALL broad and balanced curriculum.  Focus on core knowledge and higher expectations.

4. Subjects in the curriculum at primary level.  English  Maths  Science  Computing  Religious Education  Modern Foreign Language (French)  History  Geography  Art  Music  Design Technology  Physical education

5. Expectations English o Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar & Vocabulary e.g Infants now expected to use commas and apostrophes in their writing. o Less emphasis on genre more on key skills o Reading comprehension further emphasised o Enjoyment of literature

6. Expectations Maths  Reception pupils count to 100 number bonds to 20  Fractions taught in infants  Year 4 ( 9 year olds) all times tables up to 12 x 12  Use of concrete apparatus

7. Expectations Other curriculum areas o Science : focus on knowledge/facts. Evolution taught in year 6 o ICT replaced by computing more about programming not just using programmes. o Geography content focusses heavily on The Americas o History chronological.

8. How is it taught?  National Curriculum is “What” not “How”. The school can decide.  Cross curricular approach  Independence & Initiative  Awe & wonder  Visits out and visitors in.

9. Assessment  No longer using levels.  Expected ( some will not reach, some will exceed)  New baseline 2015  New testing 2016

10. Home learning.  Daily reading and discussion around books  Number bonds and timestables Not home learning. Good parenting.

11. Pupils’ response: I think I have enough homework

12. Parents’ response. Homework is a worthwhile experience for pupils.

13. Impact of homework  No conclusive evidence either way. (positive, negative, no impact)  Dependent on quality/type of activity.  At St. Nicholas concerned regarding quality of activities set and consequently work produced and impact.

14. Home Learning Aims  To develop an effective partnership between home and school  To provide opportunities for parents and pupils to enjoy learning experiences together and to exploit resources for learning of all kinds at home  To equip pupils with the self- discipline needed to study on their own and to prepare them for the increased demands of secondary school.  To reinforce and consolidate key skills particularly in English and Maths  To extend school learning through project work.

15. What you should see  Less emphasis on homework sheets.  More open ended tasks.  Pupils more willing to engage in learning at home. Please do not hesitate to contact the class teacher if you have any concern regarding Home learning Tasks.