At Altarnun Primary School, we greatly value the importance of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) in providing a secure foundation for future learning and development.

Our approach has been developed in conjunction with the relevant DfE guidance and legislation to ensure that each child has a happy and positive start to their school life in which they can build a foundation for a love of learning.

We ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. We promote teaching and learning to ensure children’s ‘school readiness’ and give children a broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. This encompasses four themes; A Unique Child, Learning and Development, Positive Relationships and Enabling Environments.

We seek to provide:

• Quality and consistency, so that every child makes good progress and no child gets left behind.
• A secure foundation through learning and development opportunities which are planned around the needs and interests of each child and are assessed and reviewed regularly.
• Partnership working between practitioners and parents.
• Equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and supported.

Our English curriculum aims to foster a lifelong love for language, literature, oracy, and reading among our children. Through a rich and immersive learning experience, pupils develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to become confident communicators in a diverse world. Emphasising English as fundamental to personal and social development, the curriculum explores various texts, genres, and writing styles, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Opportunities for speaking, listening, reading, and writing across contexts develop literacy skills and nurture imagination and empathy. Additionally, the curriculum promotes cultural understanding and empathy by engaging with diverse perspectives in literature.Our English curriculum empowers pupils to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and empathetic communicators who can thrive in an ever-changing world.

Teaching early reading with Read Write Inc Phonics offers numerous benefits for young learners. Firstly, its systematic approach develops strong phonemic awareness, enabling confident word decoding and spelling. Secondly, its engaging, multisensory methods, keeping pupils actively involved in sound blending, stories, letter formation and written transcription.  Furthermore, it emphasises regular reading practice to reinforce skills and fluency. Overall, Read Write Inc Phonics not only equips children with literacy skills but also fosters a love for reading and language, ensuring a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Our reading strategy develops further into reading fluency, once a sound understanding in phonics has been reached.  Children will explore a variety of carefully chosen texts, building in complexity, throughout their Key Stage 1 and 2 curriculum.  Reading at home is encouraged every day, to develop fluency, knowledge and a rich understanding of the world.

Our primary maths curriculum, using Direct Instruction, provides structured teaching for children based on their mathematical skills, from reception to Year 6. Our goal is for all students to deeply understand mathematical concepts, be proficient in skills, and confidently apply them to real-world problems. Direct Instruction offers clear explanations, ensuring effective learning. Through explicit teaching, guided practice, and regular review, pupils master key concepts like number sense, operations, and geometry. We encourage active engagement and mastery learning, allowing children to progress at their pace with targeted support. Frequent practice and feedback ensure mastery of essential skills. Additionally, we focus on developing problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking abilities. By presenting maths in context and encouraging real-world applications, our curriculum prepares pupils for the next phase of maths learning.

Regular practice of mathematical skills at home is encouraged, particularly to ensure fluency in multiplication and division, as well as everyday contexts where maths is used.

Our science curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in scientific knowledge and skills for children in Early Years through to Year 6, by fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and investigative skills. Structured around key scientific topics like living things and physical processes, our curriculum emphasises practical, hands-on learning experiences through experiments and observations, including using our Forest School resources. Children will develop scientific literacy and communication skills, while gaining an appreciation of wider application of scientific discoveries. Assessment focuses on both knowledge and skills, allowing for ongoing feedback and progress tracking. Overall, the curriculum aims to lay a solid foundation for further scientific study and lifelong learning, nurturing pupils' understanding of the world and their role in it.

Closely aligned to the science curriculum, our Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum at Altarnun Primary School provides hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving activities, including the Goblin Greenpower project, students gain a deep understanding of the design process and its impact. Emphasising creativity and ingenuity, the curriculum encourages students to explore ideas, develop solutions, and learn from failure. Projects include textiles, electrical circuits, cookery and making products, linking in with our outdoor learning and Forest School activities wherever possible.

Our computing curriculum equips our children with the knowledge and skills needed for success in a digital world. Emphasising more than just device usage, the curriculum focuses on computational thinking, programming, and digital literacy. Through hands-on activities and projects, pupils develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The curriculum fosters innovation and exploration, encouraging students to experiment and embrace the design process. Additionally, we promote digital citizenship and online safety, ensuring children navigate the digital landscape responsibly. Ultimately, our computing curriculum empowers pupils to become confident, creative, and responsible users of technology, preparing them for success in an ever-evolving digital age.

The history curriculum at Altarnun Primary School aims to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of the past. Through engaging lessons, our children explore key historical events and civilizations, developing empathy and historical awareness. Emphasising diverse perspectives and primary sources, the curriculum encourages critical analysis. Pupils study ancient civilizations, the mediaeval period, and modern world history, connecting past and present. Furthermore, our curriculum promotes historical literacy and citizenship, empowering children to engage with contemporary issues. By instilling a passion for learning and appreciation for human history, the curriculum prepares pupils to contribute positively to society.

Our geography curriculum aims to cultivate wonder, curiosity, and global awareness in our pupils. Designed for immersive learning, it equips children with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to understand and appreciate diverse environments, including their local surroundings. Recognising geography as the study of connections between people, cultures, and landscapes, pupils explore key concepts like location, human-environment interaction, and regions. The curriculum fosters environmental stewardship and global citizenship, empowering students to engage with sustainability, climate change, and social justice issues responsibly. Additionally, it promotes spatial awareness, literacy, and critical thinking, enabling pupils to analyse maps and interpret data. Through exploration of their local environment and global perspectives, the curriculum inspires lifelong curiosity and cultivates compassionate, informed global citizens.

The religious education (RE) curriculum at Altarnun Primary School  aims to foster understanding, respect, and empathy for diverse worldviews. The programme of study provides a comprehensive and inclusive learning experience to navigate multicultural societies. By exploring various religious traditions, beliefs, and practices, children develop appreciation for human spirituality and culture. The curriculum encourages inquiry and critical thinking, fostering open-mindedness and respect for different perspectives. Additionally, it promotes personal reflection, moral reasoning, and empathy to cultivate ethical responsibility and social justice. Through RE, our children develop as kind, compassionate and respectful individuals who positively contribute to their communities and the wider world.

We are delighted to welcome the local community into school regularly, to bring aspects of the Christian faith to life through our Open the Book assemblies.

Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE.  If you wish to exercise this option, please notify the school of your decision.  If you choose to withdraw your child from RE, we ask that you come into the school to provide alternative education for them during our RE lesson time. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that your child’s education remains consistent and comprehensive.

The primary French curriculum aims to introduce students in Key Stage 2 to the French language and culture in an engaging and interactive manner. Our curriculum intent is to provide a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation while fostering a love for language learning. Through immersive activities, games, and songs, students will develop basic communication skills and cultural awareness. The curriculum emphasises practical language use in everyday situations, encouraging students to express themselves confidently in French. Furthermore, our intent is to instil an appreciation for diversity and global citizenship by exploring French-speaking cultures and traditions. By the end of the curriculum, students will have a basic proficiency in French and a curiosity to continue their language learning journey.

Our art curriculum in the UK fosters creativity, imagination, and self-expression in our children. With a focus on providing a vibrant and inclusive learning experience, pupils gain the skills and confidence to explore various art forms. Emphasising art as integral to human experience, children engage in hands-on activities and exposure to diverse styles. The curriculum aims to instil a lifelong appreciation for visual expression, encouraging creativity and risk-taking. Additionally, it promotes cultural understanding by exploring global artistic traditions. Through this curriculum, pupils become critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and active participants.

At Altarnun Primary school, our music curriculum utilises the Charanga platform to cultivate a lifelong love for music, creativity, and musical skills.  Through an engaging learning experience, pupils gain knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate actively in music. Emphasising music as a universal language, the curriculum exposes students to diverse genres and traditions, fostering appreciation for musical expression. Encouraging creativity and self-expression, students sing, play instruments, compose, and improvise with confidence. Opportunities for active music-making, collaborative performance, and reflective listening develop musical skills while nurturing confidence. Additionally, the curriculum promotes cultural understanding, enabling students to appreciate diverse musical contributions globally.

Encouraging children to dream big, we include a range of arts activities into our enrichment curriculum, including an annual school performance at Christmas, theatre trips and art projects.

The PSHE curriculum (including Relationships Education) at Altarnun Primary School supports the holistic development of our children, nurturing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being while instilling our values of kindness, dreaming big, and trying our best.

Emphasising self-awareness, resilience, empathy, and responsible decision-making, the curriculum aims to foster positive relationships and create a supportive and inclusive school community. Through topics like understanding emotions, healthy lifestyles, careers awareness and relationships education, pupils develop the knowledge and skills to navigate modern life confidently and resiliently. Empowering children to make informed choices about their well-being and relationships, the curriculum encourages them to contribute positively to their communities.

By promoting social justice, equality, and respect for diversity, children learn to appreciate difference and advocate for inclusivity. Ultimately, our PSHE curriculum aims to empower students to become compassionate and responsible citizens, making a positive difference in our world!

Our Physical Education (PE) curriculum promotes physical literacy, health, and well-being. The curriculum equips students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes for active lifestyles. Through diverse activities like multiskills, sports, dance and outdoor adventures, pupils develop fundamental movement skills and endurance. Opportunities for teamwork and sportsmanship develop social skills and resilience while fostering positive attitudes toward fitness. Additionally, the curriculum promotes inclusivity, ensuring all students can participate fully and feel supported.

Every child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and lessons are organised in the school by the Cornwall Music Service Trust. Pupils have to provide their own instrument and a standard charge for the tuition is made at the beginning of each term.