Leehurst Swan is committed to lifelong learning and strives to make learning a rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone; it should be fun. Challenge is an important element of that enjoyment. Pupils are more likely to learn when they are motivated, feel valued and see the relevance of what is being taught. We believe that all pupils want to and are able to learn. The development of a pupil’s ability to be self-aware and emotionally literate, both as an individual and more specifically as a learner, is a vital part of the education we provide.
The curriculum includes all the planned activities that we organise in order to promote learning, personal growth and development. It includes not only academic studies, but also the range of extra-curricular activities the school provides to enrich the experience of the pupils. It also includes the ‘hidden curriculum’, or what the pupils learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave. We aim to teach pupils how to grow into positive, responsible people, who can work and co-operate with others while developing knowledge, attributes and skills, so that they achieve their true potential.
Children in Years 5 to 6 follow the National Curriculum with enriched opportunities. Form teachers predominantly teach English and Mathematics. Most lessons are taught by specialist teachers. These include: Science, project-based STEM, Computing including Digital Media, Art & Design, Drama, Music and Spanish. In addition, children will have topic-based humanities. The children will also enjoy outdoor learning and food technology through our new Wild Horizons programme. They have PE, Games and swimming with specialist sports teachers.
All pupils at Key Stage 3 are taught by specialist teachers and follow the National Curriculum with enriched opportunities. The curriculum comprises English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Spanish, History, Geography, Religious studies, Art, 3D Design, Drama, Music, Food technology, and Computing including Digital Media, Pupils acquire skills in speaking and listening, literacy and numeracy through the whole curriculum. The children will also enjoy outdoor learning through our new Wild Horizons programme. They have PE, Games and swimming with specialist sports teachers.
We use a scheme of work entitled Jigsaw to deliver our PSHE curriculum, which follows the statutory government guidelines and links with the National Curriculum. RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) is included in this during the summer term, and more information is provided to parents at that time.
Every Leehurst Swan pupil up until Year 8 has timetabled outdoor lessons throughout the academic year. For the Lower and Middle School, lessons are timetabled weekly.
Our Wild Horizons provision provides nurturing, positive outdoor learning experiences to support our children’s wellbeing and personal development. Children learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and how to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Children have the opportunity to explore, play, learn boundaries of behaviour, and develop skills such as creativity, problem solving, collaboration and communication.
All our activities are carried out in a safe and controlled environment and the activities that our pupils participate in depend on their age, ability and experience. Examples of Wild Horizons activities include:
- Woodland management
- Environmental exploration
- Nature exploration
- Building dens and other structures
- Fire lighting
- Cooking
- Games and invitations for imaginative play and discovery
- Natural crafts
- Using tools
- Scavenger hunts and adventure
- Seasonal celebration
We have our own Outdoor Learning area on site, though a short journey may be made for off-site learning, led by a teacher in school.
