At Fairlands Middle School we are highly ambitious for every young person. We aim to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, providing opportunities for creativity and curiosity, in an inclusive environment that enable all pupils to fulfil their potential.
We strive for all pupils to:
- be confident, resilient, independent, reflective and resourceful learners
- be culturally knowledgeable about our community, locality, country and the wider world
- feel included within our community and develop a sense of belonging by widening language and listening skills
- experience leadership opportunities and experience examples of what future careers may be available to them
- feel motivated, supported and challenged to achieve the highest outcomes and excellence
- be physically and mentally healthy, with the strength to be successful and fulfilled
- be compassionate and caring, demonstrating a respect for themselves and each other
- be provided with a safe and trusting environment / setting, which allows them to be motivated to learn
The Curriculum at Fairlands
Fairlands is a Middle School with pupils starting in Year 5. Pupils follow a secondary model, using specialist teachers and teaching spaces to enhance the curriculum experience. The exception to this is at Year 5, where pupils follow a hybrid primary model, to allow their tutor to teach them English and maths as well as a differing combination of other subjects dependent upon their specialist area.
As a school we believe in providing a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs and interests of our pupils. All pupils study the following subjects:
- English
- Maths
- Science
- Humanities (including History, Geography and RE)
- French
- Physical Education
- Performing Arts
- Design Technology
- Art & Textiles
- Computing
Literacy
Fairlands Middle School aims to develop skills in reading, writing and oracy. Our intent is that all students are proficient enough readers to participate both academically and in wider society. The reading strategy aims to develop a reading culture that stretches, challenges and encourages reading for pleasure as well as wider reading.
As with the reading strategy, our intent for writing is that all students are proficient enough writers to participate both academically and in wider society. The writing strategy also aims to develop support for both staff and students in scaffolding and editing extended writing tasks, with a focus on clarity and accuracy of expression.
All students complete NGRT tests on an annual basis to determine reading ages in order for all staff to support them with their reading.
All pupils are supported with speech, language, and communication (SLC) skills so that they are equipped to thrive academically and in their social interactions. This will help pupils articulate their learning and understanding, communicate successfully with peers and staff, and equip them for the world beyond Fairlands.
Whole school Intent statement
The Fairlands curriculum reflects our passion that every pupil feels a sense of social and academic belonging to our school and local community. By placing the child at the centre of our school, where positive relationships based on mutual trust and respect support every child, our curriculum strives to offer opportunities to provide creativity, curiosity and challenge in order to ensure that every pupil aspires to succeed the very best that they can. We provide a knowledge rich curriculum, with breadth and depth, through which ambitious learning and leadership opportunities are provided within and beyond the classroom.
Curriculum by Subject Area
At Fairlands, our aim is to engage, inspire and challenge all pupils through the delivery of a wide-ranging skills based art curriculum that will enable pupils to express their ideas and respond creatively to the world around them.
Computing Intent Statement
Computing at Fairlands ensures that pupils have the knowledge to become safe, respectful, and skilful members of the technological community. Pupils are encouraged to be curious about the principles of information, how digital systems work, and how to creatively use this as computer literate citizen in their future lives.
Intent
The curriculum aims to provide a skills focused approach to students’ Drama education in order that they have access to a wide range of stimuli, playwrights, design opportunities, styles of theatre and theatre practitioners who shaped the theatre world we see today. We aim for students to embrace the challenge of these skills and knowledge to become confident, curious, creative, inspiring theatre-makers of the future.
Intent
Lessons stimulate students’ natural curiosity to learn about the scientific and technological developments of the modern world by developing their practical, analytical and creative skills while working towards projects and investigations.
Our inquiry-based curriculum presents questions that require investigation to build knowledge, leading to understanding of bigger concepts.
Students are challenged and supported so they become independent learners, well prepared for further study, future employment and using science, design, technology and food in everyday life.
Intent
The English curriculum at Fairlands promotes a high standard of literacy. English teaching supports children to develop an extensive vocabulary. In spoken communication, children learn to articulate themselves clearly, eloquently and with confidence.
In studying our English curriculum, children read widely from texts including fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction. Their reading gives them access to both ‘windows’, allowing them to experience aspects of life outside of their experience, and ‘mirrors’, allowing them to identify aspects of their own life in the text. They learn to make developed personal responses to what they read.
Children study a wide range of literary heritage texts and build a sound knowledge of key concepts and key developments in literature over time. They learn to dissect and analyse key texts and passages using technical terminology and precise language.
Intent
Within the Humanities department we are empowering our students to evolve into inquisitive global citizens. Geography, Religion & Philosophy (RP), and History stand as pivotal pillars on this educational journey. Our primary objective is to furnish a bespoke learning experience that not only imparts knowledge but also stands true to 3 foundational principles of being:
- Inquisitive
- Analytical
- Culturally appreciative
History Intent
Our History department at Fairlands Middle School is dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation for the past, empowering our students to become critical thinking and empathetic global citizens. It is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all students, celebrating diversity and emphasising the importance of five key second-order concepts. This curriculum intent alongside the National Curriculum serves as a guiding framework for our approach to history education.
Geography Intent
In our Geography curriculum at Fairlands Middle School, we aim above all else to strive for curious students who are seeking to broaden their horizons and become global learners who can utilise their analytical skills confidently whilst showing a deep appreciation for the diverse world around us.
A successful Fairlands Geographer will…
- Develop a deep understanding of the Earth’s physical and human landscapes.
- Explore the impact of human activities on the environment and sustainability.
- Foster spatial awareness, map-reading skills, and an appreciation of diverse geographies.
- Encourage fieldwork and practical experiences to connect classroom learning with the real world.
Religion & Philosophy (RP)
Here at Fairlands Middle School the subject of Religion & Philosophy holds a powerful role in ensuring our students develop into socially, culturally and spiritually responsible young people. This is achieved by following these foundational principles:
- Encouraging open and respectful discussions about different religious and philosophical perspectives.
- Exploring the role of ethics, morality, and personal values in decision-making.
- Promoting tolerance, empathy, and understanding of various belief systems.
- Helping students develop a sense of purpose and self-awareness.
Intent
- To develop a love for mathematics, first and foremost, and ensure every child feels valued, confident and able to participate unbounded in every Maths Mastery lesson
- To develop mathematical learning behaviours so pupils are focussed, engaged and can reason and make connections, building a conceptual understanding.
Our aim is to inspire and encourage our young people to become Global Citizens in a multi-lingual and multi-cultural world. Our pupils will develop a positive curiosity about language learning, be aware of the value, importance and benefits of language learning and will deepen their understanding of the world.
Each module of work from Y5 to Y8 will follow the EPI (Extensive Processing Instruction) methodology. In practice each sequence of lessons follows the MARSEARS structure:
- Modelling
- Awareness Raising
- Receptive Processing
- Structured Production
- Expansion
- Autonomy
- Routinisation
- Spontaneity
Intent
The music curriculum offers pupils the opportunity to compose, perform and listen and appraise music from a range of styles, cultures, times and places. The curriculum gives pupils the skills and knowledge to develop their creativity and curiosity, while challenging them to explore and experience music outside their usual genre.
The PE curriculum fully embraces inclusion and aims to inspire students to continue their sporting journey throughout life. All students will participate in a broad and balanced curriculum developing their skills, knowledge and understanding or many sports. They will also develop their self-confidence; communication and teamwork to help them for fill their aspirations and goals in later years.
PSHE education allows children to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. It develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society, in addition to living healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) informs children and young people about relationships, emotions, sex, sexuality and sexual health. All children, including those who develop earlier than the average, need to know about puberty before they experience the onset of physical change. Learning about sex and relationships is a lifelong process, beginning in early childhood and continuing throughout adult life.
Intent
Lessons stimulate students’ natural curiosity to learn about the scientific and technological developments of the modern world by developing their practical, analytical and creative skills while working towards projects and investigations.
Our inquiry-based curriculum presents questions that require investigation to build knowledge, leading to understanding of bigger concepts.
Students are challenged and supported so they become independent learners, well prepared for further study, future employment and using science, design, technology and food in everyday life.
