Intent

The design and delivery of the Curriculum at the Lower Site is catered closely to the individual needs of our learners to ensure engagement and success for all. Our creative timetable enables us to deliver all National Curriculum subjects through challenging, motivating and innovative learning opportunities. We promote positive learning for all learners, with a focus on SEMH and behaviour. The principles of kindness, honesty and calm are well established throughout. We are proud to be creating confident, competent and kind citizens of the future.

At Trinity Academy Newcastle, we do not see ability as permanent or pre-determined. Learners may arrive with gaps in their learning due to turbulence in previous schools. We relish the opportunity to work with learners to reach their potential. Achievement is carefully monitored and any learner falling below our high expectations is quickly given sharp and specific intervention. Our teaching staff use a range of assessment information to personalise learning so that gaps are closed and progress is visible. We enhance the curriculum by including practical learning, daily enrichment activities and Forest School. Enrichment and experiences represent culture capital and provide opportunities to apply learning.

Trinity Academy Newcastle has high expectations of children’s academic and behavioural outcomes. Academic outcomes are continually assessed with personalised targets to close gaps and ensure progression in the children’s learning.

Our Key Stage 2 and 3 learners are placed in age groups and are taught by consistent class teachers. There are times in the week when these groups access subject specialists for specific lessons and are able to access an age appropriate curriculum that is targeted to meet their needs.

Implementation

The curriculum is more fluid than that of mainstream, due to learners joining us at various points in the year. Teaching and learning is focused on stage as well as age to close any learning gaps.

Our curriculum framework is based on the National Curriculum. Learners are given baseline assessments in all subjects regularly and assessment information is used to effectively plan and deliver lessons at appropriate levels for each learner. The data also informs subsequent learning and interventions where necessary.

We teach phonics using Read Write Inc and learners have reading books to match their phonics knowledge. We have a whole-school focus on reading as this enables our learners to access the curriculum and opportunities to read for pleasure in school on a daily basis.

In Maths, we follow the White Rose programme, with a focus on four operations and the application of these in every session. Maths is further developed across the curriculum in Technology and Science.

Foundation subjects are taught weekly and are often linked to a text from English lessons, through topics where appropriate. Topics are delivered which include local links.

Forest school and experiential learning allow learners to apply learning across the curriculum, and develop PSHE skills and practical knowledge of all subjects. Forest School is delivered off-site on a weekly basis. At Trinity, we encourage learners to develop their skills in teamwork, communication, resilience and self-awareness.

Impact

Learners are given opportunities to access missed learning and social and emotional experiences. We encourage learners to progress academically and socially.

Learning is assessed and evaluated in every lesson and interventions are monitored. This ensures that the curriculum delivered is personalised and adapted to each learner.

Our curriculum is rigorously monitored through consistent lesson observations, learning walks, learner work inspection, learner and staff voice and CPD opportunities.

The table below displays how many lessons are allocated to each subject per term.

For any additional information, please contact the head of school, Mr Mark Flint.

Drop down days 2023/24 - Health and Wellbeing, RE and Music

	KS1-4	Activity Ideas – AM drop down days
Half term 1	Healthy Minds	Link to world mental health day - lots of resources out there – 10th October 2023 – Wear yellow day https://www.youngminds.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/helloyellow/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7eSZBhB8EiwA60kCW7qsZsNir6Z1LCgIp012nGvjGwyAyVJRYj8EeRk_Ji68bAacq2lPjRoC-o0QAvD_BwE Science: What is stress? What it does to our bodies and how we can deal with it. How does diet affect
Half term 2	RE – SMSC   LS and US   US – 13/11/23	Possible Activities LS- Antibullying drop down day – 13th – 17th November LS- Christianity – Christmas story LS – Hindu – Creation story, Values, Art work   Hinduism – Festival of light – 12h November 2023 Christianity – Christmas preparations Food Tech: Hindu foods/ various Christian foods - Christmas Art: Hindu/ Christian artwork/ style English/ Humanities: History/ key stories of the Hindu/ Christian culture Maths: Vadic maths – ancient strategies Additional options PE: Traditional games and sporting activities https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-vedic-math-1770682
Half term 3	Healthy Living and Fresh Starts   10/2/24   LS and US	Idea of Fresh starts and healthy living Diet, exercise and lifestyle: The effect on health Chinese New Year – 10th February 2024 Exploration of Chinese traditions and cultures Modelling/ making of Chinese celebratory decorations
Half term 4	RE – SMSC   30/3/24   LS and US	Possible Activities Islamic/ Muslim faith – Festival of Eid Friday 9th April Judaism – Passover 22nd April 2023 Food Tech: Muslim foods and idea of Ramadan the Eid/ Passover Art: Islamic/ Jewish art work styles English/ Humanities: History/ Kaye stories of the Islamic/ Jewish culture Maths: Patterns in numbers
Half term 5	Music from the cultures of the world 19/5/24 LS and US	Visitors from external musical provision e.g. The Glasshouse Possible activities: DJing Drumming Visits Glasshouse
Half term 6	Healthy Choices for the Summer   7/7/24	Preparation for removal of structure Staying safe in the community Gang culture, knife crime, drugs and alcohol. I'm sure VRU, Edge etc would support these activities (include laws on these activities)