At Arc School Napton our pupils are all at different stages of learning. Rather than be constricted by age, our pupils learn at the correct stage for them. Using three stages of learning the pupils develop the skills they need, at their own pace, to access the National Curriculum. Regardless of stage, pupils are all given the opportunity to access learning at a level which challenges and pushes them. This approach enables pupils of all primary ages to access our curriculum. Provision for stage one learners is organised in such a way that pupils have continuous provision throughout the day and learning is delivered in a way that places very few restrictive demands on the pupils. This means that pupils, from Reception all the way to Year 6, can learn at a speed that suits them with the space they need to thrive. As the pupils progress through the stages of learning their timetables become more structured but remain highly flexible to provide all learners with the nurture they need to succeed.
Alongside a 2-year cyclical curriculum, the pupils also access Forest School teaching on a weekly basis, as well as a variety of supplements to the curriculum which focus on the skills for learning and emotional literacy. Pupils are further supported across the curriculum by our clinical team who actively support pupils to access all areas of learning. All subjects within the National Curriculum are covered and there are opportunities to work with pupils from different stages throughout the year – we even do PE as a whole school!
Each half term the pupils have a focused topic for most of their afternoons, either Geography, History or Science. All pupils of Key Stage 2 age go swimming for a full term (spaced over two half terms) each year. Friday afternoons focus on art, design and life-skills; pupils work together in groups from across the stages of the school and complete half termly projects. These projects may be art-based, first aid, citizenship and community focused, computing or about cooking and nutrition with the school’s chef.
Theme weeks are planned to enhance the curriculum and give the pupils the opportunity to develop their understanding of the world in which they live. These weeks may include: Eco Week, Spirituality Week, Charity Week, Christmas & Easter weeks, Anti-Bulling Week, Giving Back week. All theme weeks are carefully planned and allow pupils to come off timetable and spend the week exploring issues that are key to their development as global citizens, conscientious peers and members of the British community.
We spend time each week thinking about our school values, Resilience, Respect, Accountability, Compassion, and Kindness. Everyone in our school tries to model these values and celebrate when they spot others doing the same!
The curriculum is further enhanced with a variety of trips and events throughout the year. Pupils take part in termly trips as a reward for behaviour points earned, two curriculum-based trips each year and a varied calendar of events which include international, national and community celebrations! These can differ each year to reflect current affairs, but usually include: World Book Day, Comic Relief, Children in Need, and Mental Health Awareness.
The curriculum provision at Arc Napton is designed to enable our pupils to achieve academically and flourish holistically, we believe that a school, such as ours, can challenge pupils in a way that nurtures, supports and celebrates their needs.
Always learning, always growing, always together.