Introduction

At Gowerton Primary School, we aspire to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children feel happy, curious, and motivated to learn. Through a broad and balanced curriculum, we empower pupils to thrive, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging, inspiring them to reach their full potential and contribute positively to the school and wider community.

Our Mission

Together we Learn, Laugh, Grow and Achieve!

• Together: We create a culture of togetherness by cultivating a strong and inclusive community in which all stakeholders feel safe, valued and connected.

• Learn: We foster a love of learning in all pupils that has been skilfully crafted by creative, nurturing and knowledgeable staff.

• Laugh: School should be the best years of your life! We promote laughter, enthusiasm and connection in every classroom so pupils look back with fond memories of their time here.

• Grow: We develop curiosity, perseverance and high expectations so everyone can be the best they can be.

• Achieve: We recognise and nurture every child's wide-ranging talents within a supportive and inspiring environment.

Our Legal Duties

The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 sets out what every school in Wales must do.

• Mandatory duties: Schools must design a curriculum that enables learners to make progress towards the Four Purposes and provides for all six Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLEs), the three cross-curricular skills (literacy, numeracy, digital competence), Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE), and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE).

• Statutory guidance: Schools must have “due regard” to the national statutory guidance when developing and reviewing their curriculum.

• Governance: At Gowerton Primary, the Headteacher and Governing Body jointly adopt our curriculum and assessment arrangements. These are formally ratified through our policy framework and reviewed regularly as part of the school’s self-evaluation cycle.

This ensures that our curriculum is legally compliant, reflects our school context, and evolves in response to feedback from pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community.

A Purpose Driven Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to enable every child to progress along a 3–16 learning continuum by building on what they already know and helping them achieve more over time. It is rooted in the Four Purposes, which aim for all children to become:

• Ambitious, capable learners

• Enterprising, creative contributors

• Ethical, informed citizens

• Healthy, confident individuals

We plan learning across the six Areas of Learning and Experience, ensuring that pupils encounter the full breadth of the Statements of What Matters — the essential knowledge, skills and experiences set out in national guidance.

Every pupil, no matter their age, is suitably planned for.  We take into account every pupil's ability and aptitude, including any additional learning needs.  

We have successfully developed a progressive continuum of dispositions to support the development of integral skills across the school. These underpin the four purposes which lie at the heart of our curriculum.

Learning & Experience

Learning should focus on things that matter to Learners now and when they grow up.

Learning at Gowerton is engaging, connected and purposeful. Teachers plan learning around authentic contexts and link subjects together through rich, thematic projects.

This term, our Big Questions are:

• Nursery: Once upon a celebration and me!

• Reception: All About Us

• Year 1/2: Is Space Spectacular?

• Year 3/4: Ancient Egyptians

• Year 5/6: Rampaging Romans

Everything your child learns at Gowerton Primary will be connected to the six Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE). Each area of learning and experience contains statements of what matters which shape learning for children of all ages. These help your child think about what they’re learning and how topics link to each other, to work and to life. They also support your child to progress each year as they build their understanding and skills.

Across all Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLEs), the application of Numeracy, Literacy and Digital Competency skills are robustly planned for.  Teachers are expected to plan and deliver learning objectives pitched appropriately to the learners' needs. In addition to Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Competence, teachers plan for incidental welsh and opportunities to address relationships and sexuality education in line with the new CfW. The curriculum elements of Religion, Values and Ethics are routinely addressed through Big Questions and are stage appropriate.

Within the new Curriculum for Wales, there is a focus on 12 pedagogical principles that underpin good teaching and learning. Our teaching follows the twelve pedagogical principles set out in national guidance, ensuring that learning builds on what pupils know, is engaging and challenging, and helps them take increasing responsibility for their progress.

Relationships and Sexuality Education is appropriately and progressively taught using an agreed cluster plan.  This is part of the school's health and well-being curriculum, in line with The Curriculum for Wales – Relationships and Sexuality Education Code.  

Our curriculum also incorporates, where appropriate, opportunities for learning and consideration of cross-cutting elements. These  allow learners to:

• consider local, national and international contexts
• develop understanding of relationships and sexuality education
• recognise, understand and promote human rights and diversity
• identify with careers and work-related experiences

Planning & Assessing for Progression

Assessment is part of learning every day. Children at Gowerton work with their teachers to understand how well they’re doing. This is important to help them:

- See where they are in their learning

- Plan their next learning steps

- Spot any issues or extra support they need

- Ensure they are suitably challenged

As a school we have robust assessment arrangements in place.  We draw upon a range of information to ensure every pupil is supported appropriately.  We place huge value on the importance of 'formative' and 'live' assessment which enables the staff to facilitate immediate progress.   Parents receive information on their child's progress, and are supported to understand their next steps in learning.

Our curriculum supports opportunities and experiences to develop the key concepts, knowledge and skills as described in the 27 statements of what matters. We use the descriptions of learning within each progression step (PS) as a starting point for our planning.

Our planning has been designed to ensure vertical and horizontal progression.  This means we consider both the depth of learning as well as the breadth, whilst ensuring we build upon prior knowledge.  We work closely with our partner schools, as part of the North Gower Partnership. This ensures that all learners receive equity of learning and experiences whilst in primary school, enabling Gowerton Comprehensive School to plan for learning that will secure further progress. More information can be found on the NGP Website.

Learning Together

Everyone at Gowerton Primary is a learner — pupils, staff, parents and governors. We strengthen our curriculum by:

• Using educational research and professional learning

• Collaborating with other schools and the wider community

• Listening to pupil voice, parent feedback and governor input

This collaborative approach helps us ensure that the curriculum reflects the needs and aspirations of our learners and community.

Mentally Healthy

Well-being is central to our curriculum. In line with the Health and Well-being AoLE, we:

• Help pupils understand and manage their emotions

• Promote positive relationships

• Create a safe and inclusive environment

Our commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and restorative approaches ensures that every child feels respected and heard.