Curriculum

At Falconer’s Hill Academy we offer a curriculum which is broad and balanced and which builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of all children; whatever their starting points. The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of the pupils in our school. 

The aim of our knowledge-based curriculum is for pupils to have the requisite knowledge, skills and wider understanding to be successful, independent and motivated learners in readiness for their next stage of education. Within this curriculum the pupils will develop their learning of key facts, important events and will develop their understanding of the world around us. 

The curriculum content is organised in a coherent way, ensuring children can build on their knowledge from year to year. In this way, the knowledge in the curriculum is cumulative, constructing firm foundations and schema from which children can progress and develop deeper conceptual understanding and subject-specific knowledge and skills over time. Curriculum coherence ensures that teaching does not jump from topic to topic, but enables children to develop knowledge over time, as well as a love of subjects. Subject content is crucial to this approach- the rich content of the curriculum inspires children and plants the seeds for a lifetime of learning.

To view our Curriculum planning for this academic year please download the documents at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions regarding the curriculum at our academy please contact us. 

Subject Leaders

All the areas of the curriculum are looked after by different subject leaders within the school. Each subject has an individual action plan and impact plan to drive improvements. 

Maths  – Miss Rebecca Harman
Writing  – Mrs Lyanne Young
Reading  – Ms Zoe Henman
Science   - Miss Lauren Randall
History –  Miss Chelsey Deighton
Geography – Miss Lauren Randall
Art and Design Technology –  Mrs Lyanne Young, Ms Aggi Esktowicz
PSHE – Mrs Rose Petruso-Haynes
Computing – Miss Jasmine Nash
MFL -  Miss Jasmine Nash

RE – Mrs Rose Petruso-Haynes
PE – Miss Laura Rogers
Music – Mrs Angela Rock

English

Subject Leads are Writing and Reading - Ms Zoe Henman & Mrs Lyanne Young

We believe that knowledge, understanding and the successful application of the English language is a fundamental life skill; it develops children’s ability to communicate their experiences, desires and knowledge effectively and successfully.

Throughout our school, we aim to nurture and develop independent readers and writers through purposeful, engaging and developmental lessons which link to our rich and stimulating creative curriculum work.

During our Talk for Writing lessons, we support our children to express themselves creatively and imaginatively, as they become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama; as well as non-fiction and media texts.

Our children also gain an understanding of how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins and use their knowledge, skills and understanding across a range of different situations.

Here at Falconer's Hill Academy we are committed to ensuring that all children develop the ability to communicate fluently and effectively. We do this by delivering a designated English lesson a day in addition to Read Write Inc lessons. Read Write Inc is designed to support early readers with phonic development and initial reading skills such as blending and comprehension.

The daily talk for writing lessons are linked to the current national curriculum objectives. The units of work begin with a cold write which is an independent piece of writing to assess previous understanding and knowledge. The children then repeat this task at the end of the unit as a hot write. This showcases the progress and learning that have taken place across the unit.

Falconer's Hill Academy follow the Read Write Inc spelling programme to ensure that our children become competent and confident spellers building on prior knowledge of spelling rules. We also encourage and teach cursive handwriting throughout the school from early years to year 6. 

Falconers_Hill_Academy_Reading_Intent_Statement.pdf

Oracy

At Falconer’s Hill  Academy we expect all of our children to progress to secondary school as fluent and effective communicators. We include speaking and listening skills in all of our lessons. We do this through class discussions, drama activities, paired talk, oral rehearsal, echo reading, poetry recital and in many other forms.

Maths

Subject Lead  – Miss Rebecca Harman

At Falconer’s Hill Academy, we believe that mathematical understanding is essential for everyday life and for financial literacy. Our curriculum is carefully planned and adapted to meet the needs of every child within our school community. We teach for mastery to ensure all pupils are prepared to thrive in the real world.

We use Effective Maths as a tool to teach mathematics here, whilst using our knowledge of the 5 Big Ideas to further develop understanding. This tailored approach supports children to develop a depth of understanding of mathematical concepts.

Timestables understanding is essential for all pupils at Falconer’s Hill. We use Timestables Rockstars as a tool to support the children’s learning and recall of this key mathematical learning.

 Falconers_Hill_Academy_Maths_Intent_Statement_.pdf

History

Subject Lead – Miss Chelsey Deighton

History plays an important role within the curriculum at Falconers Hill Academy and is one of many subjects that help to fulfil our wider trust mission of creating aspirational and knowledge-rich pupils. At Falconer’s Hill Academy, we develop children’s understanding of the past, through a curriculum that inspires their curiosity. Our History Curriculum is sequenced coherently so useful knowledge builds through three distinct strands; Ancient and World History, British History and Civil Rights and Equalities. History equips pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. It helps children to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. Our exciting curriculum looks at a range of interesting and historically significant topics from Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece and the Shang Dynasty of Ancient China to Twentieth Century Conflicts, the British Empire and a historical study of our local area.

Geography

Subject Lead - Miss Lauren Randall

Geography plays an important role within the curriculum at Falconers Hill Academy and is one of many subjects that help to fulfill our wider trust mission of creating aspirational and knowledge-rich pupils. At Falconer’s Hill Academy, the children’s understanding of the world is developed through a curriculum that inspires their curiosity and fascination of the world and its people. Our curriculum is sequenced coherently so useful knowledge builds through two distinct strands; Locational Knowledge and Human and Physical Geography. Lessons equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the framework and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time with the aim to enable our pupils to become true global citizens. 

 Falconers_Hill_Academy_Geography_Intent_Statement.pdf

R.E

Subject Lead - Mrs Rose Petruso-Haynes

Religious Education plays a central role within the curriculum at Falconers Hill Academy and is fundamental to our wider trust mission of creating aspirational and knowledge-rich pupils. Pupils will secure a significant perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts and understand the connections, similarities and differences between faiths. Our Religious Education Curriculum is tailored to falconers Hill and has been designed for our children at our school. We have been supported in this mission by The lighthouse Trust, which is a Christian Trust who have lead assemblies and have developed and delivered bespoke lessons to each year group in our school. Our RE curriculum is sequenced coherently so the children develop religious literacy by investigating and understanding religion and beliefs, reflecting and interpreting human experience in relation to identity, belonging, diversity, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments. At Falconers Hill Academy we consistently promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development helping them to have a greater understanding of their place in the world, and their rights and responsibilities to other people. As a result of the accumulation of essential knowledge, pupils’ cultural capital and religious understanding will be substantial and will provide a secure foundation that will enable them to succeed in the next stage of their education. We want them to know how religious education promotes tolerance and combats prejudice, producing positive citizens, preparing them for adult life, employment and life-long learning.

 Falconers_Hill_Academy_RE_Intent_Statement.pdf

Computing

Subject Lead - Miss Jasmine Nash

ICT continues to change the lives of everyone. In the future our pupils will be required to participate in a rapidly-changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology.

It is therefore vital that, through our teaching, we enable them to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information, whilst at the same time guiding them to be able to use this information in a discriminating and effective way.

Falconers_Hill_Academy_Computing_Curriculum_Intent_Statement.pdf

PSHE

Subject Lead - Mrs Rose Petruso-Haynes

Our PSHE curriculum is planned so our pupils have the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepared for life and work.

At Falconer's Hill  we follow the Jigsaw PSHE programme that includes statutory Relationships and Health Education (England), in a spiral, progressive and fully planned scheme of work. We provide our children with relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others. With strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health, Jigsaw supports us to deliver engaging and relevant PSHE within a whole-school approach. Our Jigsaw lessons also include mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

Our PSHE curriculum aims to ensure that all children learn the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and belief.

 Falconers_Hill_Academy_PSHE_Intent_Statement.pdf

MFL

Subject Lead - Miss Jasmine Nash

Modern Foreign Language plays a vital role within the curriculum at Falconer's Hill Academy and is one of the many subjects that will help to fulfill our wider trust mission of creating a curriculum that is broadening the horizons of young people within our academy.  The teaching of languages to early learners is now widely recognised as a significant contributory factor in developing literacy , building self-confidence and broadening cultural horizons.  Through learning a foreign language there are further benefits in terms of gains in listening and speaking skills, laying the foundations for future language learning.

 Falconers_Hill_Academy_-_MFL_Intent_Statement_Sept_2024.pdf

Art and DT

Subject Lead Art - Mrs Lyanne Young, Subject Lead DT - Ms Aggi Ekstowicz

The teaching and learning of Art and DT are covered by all Year Groups at Falconer’s Hill Academy using the new DRET schemes of work.

Pupils are taught about not only traditional artists and techniques, but are given an opportunity to explore and experience modern art and art making techniques. Experiences in Art and DT promote an appreciation of all styles and materials, not only in their own country but in the context of the wider world and how these have changed and developed over the course of time. These experiences enhance children’s potential to become effective, creative, considerate and valuing participants in society and promote continuing study and interests for life. Their Art and DT journey starts by studying famous artists and their work, then investigating techniques before they design and create their final piece.

We encourage our pupils to take part in Arts events across school as part of our ongoing Arts mark award and combine DRET initiatives to expand upon their art experiences.

After school we provide Art and Lego clubs to expand upon the children's creativity and let them take ownership of their own art journey.

We celebrate our Art achievements in the schools new Gallery where pupils own framed creations are displayed for all to appreciate.

Music

Subject Lead - Mrs Angela Rock

Music plays a central role within the curriculum at Falconer’s Hill Academy and is fundamental within our school. At Falconer’s Hill Academy, our music curriculum is delivered by class teachers and from a specialist from the Voices Foundation. Class teachers use the Inside Music scheme of work which is based on the Voices Foundation to deliver two short music lessons per week. During these lessons, children are encouraged to find their singing voices to find rhythmic patterns, find the beat and pulse and develop their love of music and singing. Weekly, children attend a singing assembly lead by the music co-ordinator or the specialist music teacher where children learn a range of songs from Friday Afternoons or more popular pieces of music.

Through cross curricular learning, all children listen to and evaluate music across a range of historical periods, genres, styles and traditions. The choir is a prominent group within the school where children from all year groups attend, meeting weekly to sing and rehearse for upcoming events. This school year, we have attended and performed at the DRET Christmas Carol Service at Holy Cross Church. Falconers Hill Academy also provide a number of music lessons provided by NMPAT who also deliver a whole year group instrumental lesson i.e Year 3 learning Brass. At the school, five members of our choir are also members of DRETS All Star Choir where these children have wider opportunities to perform alongside other children who attend DRET schools to perform in national concerts in London. 

Our aim is for all the children to develop a love and passion for singing and music.

Science

Subject Lead - Miss Lauren Randall

“Science stimulates and excites pupils’ curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them.

Science at Falconer’s Academy aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them while teaching them specific skills and core knowledge to help them think scientifically and gain an understanding of scientific processes. It also aims to develop children’s understanding of the achievements of scientists, both from the past and present, how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change – impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life today and in the future. Scientific enquiry skills are embedded in each topic the children study. Topics are mostly taught as a half-termly unit with the content being revisited and developed further throughout the children’s time at the school. For example, topics such as The Human Body are taught in Year 3 and studied again in further detail throughout Key Stage Two. This model allows children to build upon their prior knowledge and increase their enthusiasm for the topics studied whilst embedding procedural knowledge into the long-term memory. 

Our aim is for all the children to develop a love and passion for science. 

PE

Subject Lead - Miss Laura Rogers

At Falconer’s Hill Academy we strive to ensure that each child completes 30 minutes of activity a day, to contribute to this every child receives at least 2 hours of PE a week. One session is delivered by an expert PE coach, where the children work towards achieving awards within the Horizon Programme, whilst having expert coaching to help them to develop their skills. The children then have a second session delivered by their class teacher weekly which further develops these skills. Each year group has the opportunity to develop a range of skills throughout the year and will learn to play a variety of sports within their lessons. These skills are then developed and built on each year as the children move through the school. In Year 4 the children have the opportunity to undertake swimming lessons at the local leisure centre, with trained coaches to enable them to move towards meeting the end of KS2 expectations. Alongside PE lessons the children have the opportunity to attend a range of sports festivals and competitions with our Sports Coordinator. These events are a great way for children to develop and show their skills and also gives them the opportunity to improve team building skills and develop a love for healthy competition. The festivals and events are open to all children and are not solely for ‘sporty children’, each event enables the children to explore new sports and hobbies. During break and lunch times the children are given the chance to participate in activities with sports coaches, these activities include football, basketball, netball and dance as well as ‘The daily mile’. The children also have a range of motor skill improving play equipment to play with to further improve their activity levels.

 Falconers_Hill_Academy_PE_Intent_Statement.pdf

Sex Education

As children grow older they are subject to a range of attitudes, varying information and myths about sexuality and relationships.

Some of this may not be accurate or helpful. The school is in a position to provide accurate input through a positive sex education curriculum and to deal with children’s questions in an open, frank and sensitive way appropriate to their age and understanding.

David Ross Education Trust and British Values

The Trust is very supportive of the ethos of promoting British Values, and preparing our pupils for success in a modern Britain.

A heavy reliance is placed upon broadening horizons for each and every child and this includes developing the core skills of tolerance, respect, teamwork, resilience and building self-esteem. These are all values and qualities that we feel are relevant in order to play a full and meaningful role in society, and are promoted via our extensive house system that lends itself to cultural and sporting competition, democratic principles, social mixing, the development of greater pastoral care and enhanced PSHE.

Click here to find out more about British Values at our academy

• Falconers Hill British Values