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Overview - Longspee Primary
A Specialist Provision
At Longspee Academy we aim to address the underlying issues that are the barriers to learning, enabling pupils to develop core skills, knowledge and understanding which support the pupils to achieve outstanding rates of progress in line with their underlying ability.
At Longspee Academy we believe in the concept of lifelong learning and the notion that learning should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone; it should be fun (Children who are HAPPY and SAFE make PROGRESS). Through our teaching we equip children with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to be able to make informed choices about the important things in their lives. We believe that appropriate teaching and learning experiences help children to lead happy and rewarding lives.
At Longspee Academy we believe children learn best when:
- learning activities are well planned, ensuring progress in the short, medium and long term
- teaching and learning activities enthuse, engage and motivate children to learn, and foster their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning
- assessment informs teaching so that there is provision for support, repetition and extension of learning for each child, at each level of attainment
- the learning environment is ordered, the atmosphere is purposeful and children feel safe
- there are strong links between home and school, and the importance of parental involvement in their children’s learning is recognised, valued and developed
At Longspee Academy we have high expectations. We challenge both pupils and staff in order to achieve the highest standards. We know our pupils can find learning difficult, so we provide a high level of targeted support within windows of opportunities throughout the school day to ensure everyone is successful in achieving their individualised and bespoke targets and expectations. Tasks or work periods coincide with attention span using planned sensory breaks so that effort does not have to be sustained too long.
Our pupils face many different challenges and we look to help them develop resilience towards these. Our focus on the complete wellbeing of our pupils and nurturing approaches helps them feel safe and be safe.
Through our vision we aim to foster:
- A high level of literacy and numeracy and an enquiring mind which wants to learn more each day;
- Independent young people who are confident, flexible and able to cooperate with others;
- Imagination and creative expression through a wide range of media;
- Conscientious young citizens of our multi-cultural society who are tolerant and respect others’ values;
- Pride in achievement and a desire to succeed;
- Effective links between the school, the child’s home and the community which promote aspiration and high expectations;
- Equality of opportunity for all;
The INTENT of our curriculum:
Our curriculum is designed to remove barriers to learning and provide a rich, meaningful, and aspirational educational experience that enhances pupils’ life chances and prepares them for adulthood. Through the structured teaching of key knowledge and skills, we equip pupils with the tools they need to succeed.
At Longspee Academy, all pupils have significant barriers in their social and emotional development and hold an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Many also experience challenges in language, physical, and cognitive development. Our curriculum is carefully designed to address these needs, ensuring that pupils receive targeted support while experiencing a broad and balanced education.
How we IMPLEMENT our curriculum:
We offer an engaging, broad and balanced curriculum, addressing the under-lying issues that are barriers to learning. This enables pupils to develop core skills, knowledge and understanding which helps them to achieve each individual pupils expected rates of progress.
We teach all National Curriculum subjects using a wide range of resources and teaching methods to engage our pupils. Our curriculum is designed to be holistic, focusing on both the academic and personal development progress.
Academic
Core subjects (taught explicitly): Phonics and Reading, English, Maths, Science, Religious Education.
Foundation subjects (thematic approach): History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology, Music, Computing.
Personal Development
PSHE/RSE, EHCP Outcomes and Pupil Intervention, So Safe, The Zones of Regulation, Attention Autism, Talkabout, My Wellbeing.
Our whole school curriculum map is coherently planned and sequenced to enable pupils to access the essential knowledge and skills in each curriculum area. Most subjects are timetabled weekly and are supplemented by a series of themed days and weeks e.g. World Book Day, Mental Health Awareness Week.
Our curriculum map can be found here: Longspee Primary Yearly Overview
We recognise that many of our pupils have significantly low starting points, and our curriculum enables them to catch up and make progress within a class-based setting. Small class sizes allow for high levels of support and challenge, ensuring that all areas of the National Curriculum are covered while adapting provision to meet individual needs.
Our inclusive approach ensures that pupils with SEND are not disadvantaged, and that they access a curriculum that is engaging, ambitious, and responsive to their needs. To promote high levels of engagement and motivation, we adopt a topic-based approach that fosters a love of learning and facilitates rapid and sustained progress.
Our curriculum prioritises phonics, reading, writing, and mathematical knowledge, ensuring that key concepts are embedded in long-term memory and applied fluently across subjects. At the heart of our curriculum is the development of personal and social skills, underpinned by the promotion of British Values. Through a diverse and enriched curriculum, we cultivate creativity, practical skills, and independence, encouraging pupils to ask questions, think critically, and explore their interests.
Learning is delivered through a blend of practical, experiential opportunities alongside traditional class-based lessons, ensuring that all pupils develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our approach to teaching the Longspee Academy curriculum is underpinned by:
Relational approaches (PACE) - A therapeutic approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) for building trust with children.
Trauma informed practice - An approach to service delivery and care that recognises the widespread impact of trauma on an individual's physical, emotional, and social well-being.
SEND code of practice – Teaching and Learning at Longspee Primary Academy is guided by the principles within the 2014 SEND code of practice. We use the ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review’ cycle to plan our special educational needs support and ensure that our response to individual needs and barriers to learning is graduated.
Happy, Safe, Progress – When children feel happy and safe, they make progress.
Rosenshine’s Principles – Key principles that underpin effective instruction.
Up to date research, theory and training.
The expected IMPACT of our curriculum
Pupils have achieved their personalised goals enabling them to continue their journey to becoming resilient, safe and respectful citizens. Our pupils will experience success and be prepared with the knowledge and skills needed in their next phase of education and on their journey towards adulthood.
Where to get support?
To find out more about our curriculum or to get advice, please email [email protected] who will forward your query to the Quality of Education Lead.
The following websites may be useful when supporting your child with their learning at home;
Longspee Academy
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